What research suggests
Peptides may influence metabolic regulation, appetite control, hormone secretion, tissue regeneration, collagen production and recovery โ each through its own specific mechanism.
Velora Peptide Science
Evidence-based peptide information, research and calculators
One calm, consistent environment for peptide information, primary research sources, reconstitution maths and transparent stability status.
01 โ The basics
What are peptides?
Building blocks with a message
Peptides are biological molecules built from short chains of amino acids โ the building blocks of proteins โ typically 2 to 50 amino acids long, linked by peptide bonds. The body produces them naturally, and they play a key role in a wide range of physiological processes.
Unlike proteins, which mainly have structural and enzymatic functions, peptides primarily act as signalling molecules. They enable communication between cells by binding to specific receptors, triggering targeted biological responses.
02 โ Mechanism
How do peptides work?
Lock and key
Peptides work by binding to specific receptors โ proteins on or inside cells that receive and relay signals. When a peptide binds its matching receptor, it triggers intracellular signalling pathways that produce a specific biological response.
Because each peptide has a unique structure and target, its effect is highly specific. Through this mechanism, peptides can influence appetite regulation, energy metabolism, insulin sensitivity, hormone secretion, tissue regeneration, collagen production, wound healing and inflammatory responses.
A simple way to picture this: think of a peptide as a key and the receptor as a lock. Only a peptide with the right shape fits a specific receptor and triggers a targeted response โ which is why peptide biology can be so precise.
03 โ Realistic expectations
What peptides can โ and can't โ do
What they are not
Not a universal solution for every health condition, and not a replacement for organs or tissue that has been permanently damaged.
Context shapes the outcome
Nutrition, physical activity, sleep quality, overall health and consistency all influence the result โ peptides are part of a broader approach, not a stand-alone fix.
Not every peptide is approved
Some peptides have an established medical indication; many others are still being studied for safety, efficacy and long-term effects.
38 ยท All peptides
Peptides under review
Peptide / research compound
Retatrutide
Retatrutide (LY3437943) activates three metabolic receptors in one peptide. Phase 2 research showed large mean weight reduction and marked liver-fat reduction; full regulatory review and long-term outcomes are still pending.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundTirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a long-acting dual agonist with registered medicines for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management in defined populations. Registered pens have controlled formulation and titration; research vials are not equivalent.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundSemaglutide
Semaglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist with approved medicines for specific indications. Its evidence base includes large trials of glycaemia, weight and cardiovascular outcomes; grey-market vials are not equivalent to registered formulations.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundBPC-157
BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide studied in animal models for gastrointestinal protection, tendon and wound repair, and vascular signalling. Reliable randomised human efficacy trials are absent.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundGHK-Cu
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper complex of glycine-histidine-lysine. Research focuses on extracellular matrix, wound repair and skin biology; evidence for systemic injectable use is far more limited than for topical formulations.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundTesamorelin
Tesamorelin is a stabilised GHRH analogue that stimulates pituitary GH release. Evidence and approval are indication-specific for HIV-associated lipodystrophy and do not support general weight-loss or anti-ageing use.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundMOTS-C
MOTS-C is encoded within mitochondrial 12S rRNA and can influence metabolic-stress signalling. Administration research is mainly in mice; human studies mostly show that endogenous MOTS-C changes around exercise.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundNAD+
NAD+ is an essential cofactor in energy metabolism and enzyme reactions, but it is not a peptide. Small infusion studies mainly describe metabolic fate and tolerability; broad claims about energy, recovery or longevity are not clinically proven.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundGLOW
GLOW combines GHK-Cu, BPC-157 and TB-500 in one vial. The formulation is a commercial blend: no controlled study establishes efficacy, stability or interactions of the combination as a whole.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundWolverine
Wolverine is a trade name for a BPC-157 and TB-500 combination. No peer-reviewed study has tested this fixed blend as a single intervention; claims are often incorrectly extrapolated from separate component studies.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundCagrilintide
Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analogue designed for once-weekly administration. It has been studied alone and with semaglutide for weight management and type 2 diabetes.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundCJC-1295 No DAC + Ipamorelin
This blend combines a GHRH signal with a ghrelin-receptor agonist to engage two routes of GH release. The pharmacological rationale is plausible, but the commercial 5+5 mg blend has no randomised clinical trial of its own.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundIpamorelin
Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide that activates the ghrelin receptor and produces a short growth-hormone pulse. Human studies described pharmacokinetics and GH response; a larger postoperative-ileus trial did not confirm a clear clinical benefit.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundTB-500
TB-500 is often equated online with full thymosin-ฮฒ4, but analytically it can also refer to a shorter fragment. Many wound studies tested full Tฮฒ4; those findings cannot automatically be assigned to every TB-500 product.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundSS-31 / Elamipretide
SS-31 is the development name for elamipretide, a tetrapeptide that binds cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Clinical programmes in mitochondrial disease produced mixed primary outcomes; approval applies to a specific formulation and rare condition.
Open information page โPeptide / research compound5-Amino-1MQ
5-Amino-1MQ is a cell-permeable NNMT inhibitor often sold alongside peptides, although chemically it is not a peptide. Evidence for changes in fat mass, liver fat and metabolic markers comes almost entirely from animal studies.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundAOD-9604
AOD-9604 is a modified C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone. Early animal data prompted research into fat metabolism, but the clinical obesity programme did not confirm a convincing weight-loss effect.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundCJC-1295 DAC
CJC-1295 with DAC binds to albumin after administration, prolonging exposure. Small studies in healthy adults showed sustained increases in GH and IGF-1 but did not test long-term clinical benefits.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundCJC-1295 No DAC
โCJC-1295 No DACโ generally refers to modified GRF(1-29), a short-acting GHRH analogue. The well-known human CJC-1295 trials mainly studied the long-acting DAC form and cannot be applied directly.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundDSIP
DSIP is a nine-amino-acid peptide described in sleep research in the 1970s. Small crossover studies reported variable acute and delayed effects; its biological identity and clinical significance remain debated.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundEpithalon
Epithalon, also called Epitalon, is the tetrapeptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly. Claims involving telomerase, melatonin rhythm and longevity rely mainly on cell work, animal models and a limited number of difficult-to-verify older studies.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundHexarelin
Hexarelin is a synthetic hexapeptide and growth-hormone secretagogue that activates the ghrelin/GHS receptor. Small human studies show a short, dose-dependent GH response after single administration; they do not establish safe or effective routine treatment.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundIGF-1 LR3
IGF-1 LR3 is an extended IGF-1 analogue with arginine at position 3 and reduced affinity for IGF-binding proteins. This makes activity stronger and longer in animal models but also increases uncertainty around hypoglycaemia and uncontrolled growth signalling.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundKisspeptin
Kisspeptin is a natural neuroendocrine signal that activates GnRH neurons and thereby affects LH and FSH. Human studies focus mainly on reproductive physiology and triggering oocyte maturation during IVF.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundKLOW
KLOW adds KPV to the GLOW formulation. The fixed ratio has not been studied in human trials, and routes and concentrations in component studies do not match this commercial blend.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundKPV
KPV is the tripeptide Lys-Pro-Val, derived from the C-terminal region of ฮฑ-MSH. It reduced NF-ฮบB, MAPK and cytokine signalling in cells and mouse models of intestinal inflammation; human treatment trials are absent.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundMazdutide
Mazdutide (IBI362/LY3305677) combines GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonism. It has been approved in China for chronic weight management since 2025, but not by EMA or FDA; gastrointestinal adverse effects remain an important tolerability issue.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundPT-141 / Bremelanotide
PT-141 is the research name for bremelanotide, a central melanocortin-receptor agonist. The approved medicine has a specific formulation, indication, contraindications and use limits; a research vial is not automatically equivalent.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundSelank
Selank is a synthetic analogue of the immune peptide tuftsin and has mainly been studied in Russia for anxiety-related outcomes. Publications are small, often regional and usually use intranasal administration rather than subcutaneous research vials.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundSemax
Semax is a synthetic ACTH(4-7) analogue with a Pro-Gly-Pro tail, developed for intranasal neuroprotective use. Literature largely comes from Russia and post-Soviet countries; international independently replicated trials are limited.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundSermorelin
Sermorelin is the 1-29 fragment of human GHRH and stimulates pituitary GH release. It was historically used for diagnostics and growth-hormone deficiency, but modern anti-ageing and body-composition claims lack a comparable evidence base.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundSLU-PP-332
SLU-PP-332 is not a peptide but a small synthetic molecule that activates all three estrogen-related receptors. It is used as an experimental tool to study exercise-like gene programmes and energy expenditure in cells and mice.
Open information page โTopical formulationSNAP-8
SNAP-8 is acetyl octapeptide-3, a topical cosmetic peptide designed around SNAP-25-related neurotransmitter release. Comparisons with botulinum toxin are mainly mechanistic; penetration through intact skin and clinical effect size are poorly studied.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundSurvodutide
Survodutide (BI 456906) combines GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonism and is being studied for obesity and liver disease. The balance between weight reduction, liver effects and gastrointestinal tolerability is central to phase 3 development.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundThymosin Alpha-1
Thymosin alpha-1 (thymalfasin) is a 28-amino-acid peptide that modulates immune responses. It has been studied in infections, cancer support and sepsis, but findings are indication-specific and do not support generic โimmune boostingโ.
Open information page โPeptide / research compoundVIP / Aviptadil
VIP is an endogenous neuropeptide affecting vascular tone, smooth muscle, secretion and immune signalling. Aviptadil is the synthetic form studied for specific indications; different routes and conditions do not share an interchangeable dosing protocol.
Open information page โDiluentBAC Water 0.9%
Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative for multiple-dose use. It inhibits microbial growth but cannot make non-sterile technique or a contaminated vial safe.
Open information page โDiluentAcetic Acid Water 0.6%
Acetic Acid Water 0.6% is a dilute acetic-acid solution used for specific laboratory formulations. It is not a universal substitute for bacteriostatic water and does not belong in a peptide dosing calculator.
Open information page โNo peptides or compounds found.
04 โ Research
Why outcomes differ
The outcomes of peptide use depend on several factors at once. Peptide research often takes place under controlled study conditions โ lifestyle around it shapes what an individual actually experiences.
Energy, protein and micronutrient intake can influence metabolism, recovery and body composition, and therefore affect research outcomes.
Training type, intensity and everyday movement affect energy expenditure, muscle tissue and recovery throughout a study period.
Sleep duration and quality are linked to hormonal signalling, appetite, stress regulation and the body's capacity to recover.
Age, existing conditions, medication and baseline measurements can influence both the observed response and tolerability.
Research outcomes depend on consistent adherence to the study protocol, measurement schedule and other controlled conditions.
From preclinical to clinical evidence
Peptide research generally moves through several stages: from cell culture and animal models, through small human pilot studies, to large randomised, placebo-controlled trials. Not every peptide on this page sits at the same stage โ some are already approved for a specific medical indication, others still rely mainly on preclinical evidence. That is why each peptide page states an indication of its research stage, so the level of evidence stays clear per substance.
Sources
Research consulted
- Jastreboff, A.M. et al. โ Triple-hormone-receptor agonist retatrutide for obesity, phase 2 trial. NEJM, 2023.
- Nature Medicine โ Retatrutide for MASLD, phase 2a trial, 2024.
- Eli Lilly / TRIUMPH-1 โ Phase 3 topline obesity results, 2026.
- Falutz, J. et al. โ Tesamorelin in HIV-associated fat accumulation. JAIDS, 2010.
- Stanley, T.L. et al. โ Effect of tesamorelin on visceral and liver fat. JAMA, 2014.
- Kim, S.J. et al. โ MOTS-c, a regulator of plasma metabolites. Physiological Reports, 2019.
- Nature Communications โ MOTS-c and physical decline with ageing, 2021.
- Teichman, S. et al. โ CJC-1295 stimulation of GH and IGF-1, clinical study, 2006.
- npj Metabolic Health and Disease โ NADโบ metabolism in ageing, 2025.
- ScienceDirect โ PRISMA systematic review of NADโบ supplementation, 2026.
- PMC โ Gene-level regenerative activity of GHK-Cu, 2018.
- Pickart, L. โ GHK-Cu and hair follicle growth. J. Biomaterials Science, 2008.
- MDPI โ Int. J. Mol. Sci. โ BPC-157: from regeneration to pain relief, 2026.
- Sosne, G. et al. โ Thymosin beta-4 and NF-ฮบB inhibition. Exp. Eye Research, 2007.
- Frontiers in Endocrinology โ Kisspeptin and reproductive hormone induction, 2022.
- Abbara, A. et al. โ Kisspeptin receptor agonist pharmacokinetics. Journal of Endocrinology, 2020.
- Frontiers in Pharmacology โ Selank anxiolytic clinical effects, 2017.
- Gusev, E. et al. โ Semax and BDNF in stroke rehabilitation, cited in ADDF review, 2017.
- PMC โ Neuroprotective peptides review, 2023.
- Gobburu, J. et al. โ Ipamorelin dose-escalation pharmacodynamics. Pharmaceutical Research, 1999.
- Beck, D. et al. โ Ipamorelin and gastric motility, cited in Translational Andrology and Urology, 2019.
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science โ SNAP-8 topical wrinkle-depth study, 2021.
- STEP trial program โ Semaglutide weight-loss clinical trial literature, cited 2026.
- PMC โ Systematic review and meta-analysis, GLP-1 therapies, 2026.
- SURMOUNT-5 trial โ Tirzepatide vs semaglutide head-to-head data, cited 2026.
- Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism โ Network meta-analysis of anti-obesity medications, 2026.
- World Journal of Men's Health โ Bremelanotide (PT-141) trial data, 2021.
- New England Journal of Medicine โ REDEFINE 1 cagrilintide-semaglutide trial, 2026.
- REDEFINE 4 trial โ Cagrilintide-semaglutide vs tirzepatide, cited 2026.
- Monti, J. et al. โ DSIP and chronic insomnia. Int. J. Clinical Pharmacology Research, 1987.
- Schneider-Helmert, D. et al. โ DSIP sleep effects, cited in Eur. J. Anaesthesiology review.
- Dalmasso, G. et al. โ KPV and intestinal inflammation. Gastroenterology, 2008.
- PubMed โ Antimicrobial effects of alpha-MSH peptides research.
- Khavinson, V. et al. โ Epithalon telomerase research overview, peptides.org.
- PMC โ Epithalon and oocyte aging model, 2022.
- American Journal of Infection Control โ Multi-dose vial contamination study, cited 2021.
- Reconstitution protocol literature โ Solvent selection guidance for research peptides, 2026.
05 โ Important
Important notice
Please make sure the information on each peptide has been thoroughly reviewed and understood before making any decision.
The statements and information on this website have not been evaluated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or Indonesia's Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BPOM). Velora does not claim review, authorisation, or approval by any of these authorities.
All information on this page is intended solely for Research & Development (R&D) purposes and is not intended for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention or cure of any disease or medical condition.
The information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
No medical claims are made and no specific outcomes are guaranteed. Any decision remains at the reader's own discretion and responsibility.
06 โ Calculator
Clear reconstitution calculations
Every suitable information page contains a calculation module for vial strength, added water, concentration, volume and U-100 units. The module performs arithmetic conversions only and does not provide medical dosing advice.