Honest answers,
plainly stated.

Research peptides are synthetic amino acid chains designed for in-vitro laboratory study. Most are not FDA-approved for human consumption. They are sold by chemical suppliers for educational and research use only.

In the United States, research peptides exist in a regulatory gray area. They are legal to purchase and possess for research purposes, but it is illegal for vendors to market them for human consumption.

We require independent third-party Certificates of Analysis (COAs) from each vendor batch. We test purity via HPLC and Mass Spectrometry. Vendors are reviewed quarterly.

No. PeptiDex is an independent research index, not a medical practice. Nothing on this site is medical advice.

No. PeptiDex does not sell, distribute, or directly endorse any compound for human or animal use.

A Certificate of Analysis is a third-party laboratory report showing the actual purity and identity of a compound batch.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids — typically between 2 and 50 — linked by peptide bonds that act as signaling molecules in the body. They influence biological processes including immune response, tissue repair, metabolism, and hormone regulation by binding to specific cellular receptors.

The primary distinction is size. Peptides are generally chains of 2–50 amino acids, while proteins exceed 50. Both are constructed from the same 20 amino acid building blocks, but their size differences influence biological stability, folding behavior, and receptor interactions.

Some peptides are FDA approved, but many are not. Over 80 peptide-based drugs have received FDA approval, including semaglutide and tirzepatide. However, many widely discussed research peptides — including BPC-157, TB-500, and MOTS-c — have not undergone the FDA approval process.

Peptides are most commonly administered via subcutaneous injection. Other routes include intramuscular injection, intranasal spray (e.g. Semax, Selank), topical creams (GHK-Cu), and — increasingly — oral formulations. Oral semaglutide and orforglipron demonstrated viable oral peptide delivery.

GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide for weight management, GHK-Cu for anti-aging (1,016% search volume increase YoY), and BPC-157 for tissue healing. Growth hormone secretagogues like CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin remain widely studied.

Safety varies significantly by compound, dosage, route, and individual health status. FDA-approved peptide medications have undergone rigorous clinical trials. Many other peptides remain in research phases and have not been evaluated in large-scale human trials. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Yes. GLP-1 receptor agonists may delay gastric emptying, affecting absorption of other oral medications. Growth hormone secretagogues can influence insulin sensitivity. A qualified healthcare provider should review all current medications before initiating any peptide therapy.

GLP-1 peptides are compounds that mimic or enhance the activity of the natural GLP-1 hormone released by the gut in response to food intake. They stimulate insulin secretion, suppress glucagon release, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite. FDA-approved examples include semaglutide and tirzepatide.

GHS peptides stimulate the body's natural production of growth hormone from the pituitary gland. Major examples include CJC-1295 (a GHRH analog), Ipamorelin (selective GHRP without cortisol elevation), Sermorelin, and MK-677 (oral secretagogue). These are frequently stacked for synergistic GH pulse amplification.

BPC-157 and TB-500 are the two most widely studied. BPC-157 accelerates healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles, and intestinal tissue through growth factor upregulation. TB-500 promotes repair via actin binding, cell migration, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. They are frequently studied in combination.

AI is accelerating peptide drug discovery by enabling rapid screening of amino acid sequence spaces, predicting peptide-receptor binding affinity, optimizing pharmacokinetic properties, and identifying novel therapeutic targets. Companies like Google DeepMind (AlphaFold), Absci, and Nuritas are using AI to design novel peptide therapeutics.