Peptide Guide: BPC-157, Semaglutide, Ipamorelin & More
A practical guide to GLP-1 medications and the peptide topics people ask about most. Learn what is approved, what is still research-only, what the evidence says, and what to ask before making any care decision.
Not medical advice. This page is for educational purposes only. Approval status, evidence strength, and appropriate use vary significantly by peptide. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before pursuing any treatment decision.
Read this before you compare anything
Online peptide content can blur together FDA-approved GLP-1 medications, prescription compounds, cosmetic ingredients, and research chemicals. This page keeps those categories separate so you can research without treating every claim like a recommendation.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are prescription medications with FDA-approved uses. Many other peptides discussed online are not approved for human use.
It is fine to research. It is different to inject, combine, or buy a peptide. That decision belongs in a clinician conversation.
For each topic, look for approval status, side effects, evidence strength, and what follow-up or lab monitoring a clinic would provide.
Peptide clinic appointment-prep checklist
A practical question list for comparing clinics, reviewing pharmacy standards, understanding follow-up, and preparing for a safer clinician conversation.
- Questions to ask before booking or paying
- Pharmacy, lab, and follow-up details to verify
- Simple notes section for comparing two or three clinics
Search the library
Search by name, goal, approval status, evidence level, or the problem you are trying to understand.
Showing 21 of 21 topics.
Semaglutide
Ozempic · Wegovy · Rybelsus
A GLP-1 medication that helps you feel full sooner, keeps food in the stomach longer, supports blood sugar control, and ...
Read guide ->GLP-1 MedicationsTirzepatide
Mounjaro · Zepbound
A dual GLP-1 and GIP medication that affects appetite and blood sugar through two hormone pathways. In trials, it genera...
Read guide ->GH-stimulating PeptidesIpamorelin
A peptide discussed for stimulating natural growth hormone pulses. People usually ask about it for sleep, recovery, body...
Read guide ->GH-stimulating PeptidesCJC-1295
CJC-1295 no DAC · Modified GRF 1-29
A growth-hormone-releasing peptide topic often discussed with ipamorelin. People usually ask about it for recovery, slee...
Read guide ->GH-stimulating PeptidesSermorelin
Synthetic analog of GHRH (the first 29 amino acids). Stimulates the pituitary to secrete GH naturally. Considered safer ...
Read guide ->GH-stimulating PeptidesTesamorelin
Egrifta
Stabilized GHRH analog. More potent and longer-acting than sermorelin. Selectively reduces visceral adipose tissue with ...
Read guide ->Healing & RepairBPC-157
Body Protection Compound 157 · PL-10
Derived from a protective gastric protein. Promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), tendon and ligament heali...
Read guide ->Healing & RepairTB-500
Thymosin Beta-4 fragment
Promotes actin polymerization, which is involved in cell movement, tissue repair, and inflammation regulation. Thought t...
Read guide ->Healing & RepairThymosin Alpha-1
Tα1 · Zadaxin
Thymic peptide that modulates immune function — enhances T-cell activity, dendritic cell maturation, and natural killer ...
Read guide ->Popular StacksGLOW Stack
Typically combines GH secretagogues (ipamorelin + CJC-1295) with BPC-157 and sometimes Thymosin Alpha-1 or other peptide...
Read guide ->Popular StacksIpamorelin / CJC-1295 Stack
Synergistic GH stimulation — CJC-1295 extends the GHRH signal while ipamorelin amplifies the GH pulse without raising co...
Read guide ->GLP-1 MedicationsRetatrutide
LY3437943
Triple agonist: GLP-1 + GIP + Glucagon receptors. The glucagon component adds significant fat-burning beyond dual agonis...
Read guide ->Narrow your filters to see a shorter list.
Start here
The peptides people ask about most — from FDA-approved GLP-1s to popular research stacks.
Semaglutide
FDA Approvedaka Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
A GLP-1 medication that helps you feel full sooner, keeps food in the stomach longer, supports blood sugar control, and …
Tirzepatide
FDA Approvedaka Mounjaro, Zepbound
A dual GLP-1 and GIP medication that affects appetite and blood sugar through two hormone pathways. In trials, it genera…
BPC-157
Not FDA-approvedaka Body Protection Compound 157, PL-10
Derived from a protective gastric protein. Promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), tendon and ligament heali…
GLOW Stack
Not FDA-approvedTypically combines GH secretagogues (ipamorelin + CJC-1295) with BPC-157 and sometimes Thymosin Alpha-1 or other peptide…
Retatrutide
Not FDA-approvedaka LY3437943
Triple agonist: GLP-1 + GIP + Glucagon receptors. The glucagon component adds significant fat-burning beyond dual agonis…
PT-141
FDA Approvedaka Bremelanotide, Vyleesi
Melanocortin receptor agonist. Unlike PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra), PT-141 acts centrally through the nervous system rather …
GHK-Cu
OTCaka Copper peptide, Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper
Naturally occurring copper complex that declines with age. Promotes collagen and elastin synthesis, acts as a powerful a…
GLP-1 Medications
A quick scan of the topics in this category. Open an individual guide for side effects, approval details, and clinician questions.
Semaglutide
Also known as: Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
Weight loss, Type 2 diabetes management.
Read the guide ->Tirzepatide
Also known as: Mounjaro, Zepbound
Weight loss, Type 2 diabetes management.
Read the guide ->Retatrutide
Also known as: LY3437943
Weight loss (potentially 25%+ body weight), Type 2 diabetes.
Read the guide ->GH-stimulating Peptides
A quick scan of the topics in this category. Open an individual guide for side effects, approval details, and clinician questions.
Ipamorelin
Growth hormone research, Recovery and sleep quality.
Read the guide ->CJC-1295
Also known as: CJC-1295 no DAC, Modified GRF 1-29
Growth hormone research, Body recomposition.
Read the guide ->Sermorelin
Age-related GH decline, Body composition.
Read the guide ->Tesamorelin
Also known as: Egrifta
Visceral fat reduction, Body composition improvement.
Read the guide ->Hexarelin
GH stimulation, Cardiac protection.
Read the guide ->Healing & Repair
A quick scan of the topics in this category. Open an individual guide for side effects, approval details, and clinician questions.
BPC-157
Also known as: Body Protection Compound 157, PL-10
Injury recovery (tendons, ligaments), Gut healing and leaky gut.
Read the guide ->TB-500
Also known as: Thymosin Beta-4 fragment
Injury recovery, Tendon and muscle healing.
Read the guide ->Thymosin Alpha-1
Also known as: Tα1, Zadaxin
Immune support, Chronic infections.
Read the guide ->KPV
Also known as: Lys-Pro-Val, Alpha-MSH tripeptide
Inflammatory bowel disease, GLP-1-induced GI side effects.
Read the guide ->Popular Stacks
A quick scan of the topics in this category. Open an individual guide for side effects, approval details, and clinician questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between GLP-1 peptides and research peptides?
GLP-1 peptides like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) are FDA-approved medications requiring a prescription. Research peptides like BPC-157 and ipamorelin are not FDA-approved for human use — they are legal to purchase for research purposes but their use in humans is not sanctioned by regulatory authorities.
Is BPC-157 legal?
BPC-157 is legal to purchase in the US as a research chemical. It is not legal to sell or market for human consumption. It is not FDA-approved for any human indication. Its legal and regulatory status has been under increased scrutiny since 2023.
What is a GH secretagogue?
A growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) is a compound that stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and release more growth hormone. Unlike injectable HGH, secretagogues work via your body's natural feedback loop. Common examples include ipamorelin, CJC-1295, and sermorelin.
What is the GLOW stack?
GLOW is a popular multi-peptide stack combining GH secretagogues (typically ipamorelin + CJC-1295) with healing peptides (often BPC-157) and sometimes immune support peptides. It is not a specific FDA-approved product — the name is used informally in the wellness community for various combinations.
Managing side effects from your care plan?
Hair loss, muscle preservation, nausea, fatigue — our symptom guides cover common challenges during GLP-1 use, peptide-related care, and rapid weight loss, with practical strategies and honest product picks.