Comprehensive Guide to Therapeutic Peptides | ExcelMale.com
Comprehensive Guide to Therapeutic Peptides
Uses, Dosages, and Evidence Classification
January 2026 | ExcelMale.com
⚠️ IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING
Many of these peptides are experimental, not FDA-approved for human use, or require medical supervision. The Evidence column indicates the level of human clinical data available. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before considering any peptide therapy.
Table of Contents
Evidence Classification Legend Fat Loss & Metabolic Weight Management (GLP-1/GIP) Growth Hormone Secretagogues Tissue Repair & Healing Cognitive & Neuroprotection Anti-Aging & Longevity Sexual Function Hormonal Regulation Muscle Growth Sleep & Recovery Immune & Bioregulators Experimental/Research Administration Guidelines
Evidence Classification Legend
Level Meaning What It Means ✅ FDA FDA Approved Approved by FDA for specific indication(s) ✅ Strong Strong Human Data Multiple randomized controlled trials in humans Foreign Foreign Approval Approved in other countries, not US FDA Phase 2/3 Clinical Trials Active human clinical trials in progress ⚠️ Limited Limited Human Data Small studies or case reports only ❌ Animal Animal Studies Only No human clinical trials published ❌ Experimental Highly Experimental Very early research, minimal data
Fat Loss & Metabolic
Peptides targeting fat metabolism, adipose tissue reduction, and metabolic function.
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Peptide Primary Use Dosage Route Evidence Notes AOD-9604 Fat metabolism, cartilage repair 250-500mcg daily SC ⚠️ Limited Phase 2b for obesity failed primary endpoint; sold as supplement in Australia 5-Amino-1MQ Fat cell metabolism 50-100mg oral Oral ❌ Animal NNMT inhibitor; oral bioavailability uncertain MOTS-c Metabolic regulation, exercise mimetic 5-10mg 3x weekly SC ⚠️ Limited Mitochondrial peptide; one small human study Tesamorelin Visceral fat reduction 2mg daily SC ✅ FDA FDA approved (Egrifta) for HIV lipodystrophy HGH Frag 176-191 Fat loss without GH effects 250-500mcg daily SC ❌ Animal Related to AOD-9604; no completed human trials
⚖️Weight Management (GLP-1/GIP)
Incretin-based peptides for appetite regulation and weight loss.
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Peptide Primary Use Dosage Route Evidence Notes Semaglutide Weight loss, diabetes 0.25-2.4mg weekly SC/Oral ✅ FDA FDA approved (Wegovy/Ozempic); STEP trials showed ~15% weight loss Tirzepatide Weight loss, diabetes 2.5-15mg weekly SC ✅ FDA FDA approved (Mounjaro/Zepbound); dual GLP-1/GIP; up to 22% weight loss Liraglutide Weight loss, diabetes 0.6-3mg daily SC ✅ FDA FDA approved (Saxenda/Victoza) Retatrutide Weight loss 1-12mg weekly SC Phase 3 Triple agonist (GLP-1/GIP/Glucagon); Phase 3 ongoing; ~24% loss in trials Survodutide Weight loss, NASH 0.6-4.8mg weekly SC Phase 3 Dual GLP-1/glucagon agonist; Phase 3 for obesity/MASH CagriSema Weight loss, diabetes Fixed combo weekly SC Phase 3 Semaglutide + Cagrilintide combination; Phase 3 ongoing
Growth Hormone Secretagogues
Peptides that stimulate endogenous growth hormone release.
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Peptide Primary Use Dosage Route Evidence Notes Sermorelin GH deficiency, anti-aging 200-500mcg daily SC ✅ FDA FDA approved for pediatric GH deficiency (Geref); discontinued commercially CJC-1295 (with DAC) GH release, recovery 1-2mg weekly SC ⚠️ Limited GHRH analog; extended half-life; Phase 2 completed CJC-1295 (no DAC)/Mod GRF GH release, recovery 100-300mcg 2-3x daily SC ⚠️ Limited Short-acting version; often combined with GHRP Ipamorelin GH release, anti-aging 200-300mcg 2-3x daily SC ⚠️ Limited Selective ghrelin mimetic; minimal cortisol/prolactin effects GHRP-2 GH release, appetite 100-300mcg 2-3x daily SC ⚠️ Limited Ghrelin mimetic; increases appetite and cortisol GHRP-6 GH release, hunger stimulation 100-300mcg 2-3x daily SC ⚠️ Limited Strong appetite stimulation; increases cortisol Hexarelin GH release, cardiac 100-200mcg 2-3x daily SC ⚠️ Limited Most potent GHRP; cardiac benefits studied; desensitizes quickly MK-677 (Ibutamoren) Oral GH secretagogue 10-25mg daily Oral ⚠️ Limited Not a peptide; Phase 2 trials; increases hunger, water retention, blood glucose Tesamorelin GH release, visceral fat 2mg daily SC ✅ FDA FDA approved GHRH analog (Egrifta)
Tissue Repair & Healing
Peptides for injury recovery, wound healing, and tissue regeneration.
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Peptide Primary Use Dosage Route Evidence Notes BPC-157 Gut healing, tendon repair 250-500mcg 1-2x daily SC/Oral ❌ Animal ⚠️ Phase 1 cancelled 2015; no human trials; popular despite lack of evidence TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4) Wound healing, tissue repair 2-5mg 2x weekly SC ❌ Animal ⚠️ Phase 2 completed but results not published; veterinary use TB4-FRAG (Ac-SDKP) Anti-fibrotic, tissue repair 100-750mcg daily SC ⚠️ Limited Active fragment of TB-500; naturally produced in body GHK-Cu Skin healing, collagen 1-2mg daily or topical SC/Topical ⚠️ Limited Naturally occurring copper peptide; wound healing studies Pentadecapeptide (BPC) Gut and tissue healing 250-500mcg daily SC/Oral ❌ Animal Alternative name for BPC-157 LL-37 (Cathelicidin) Antimicrobial, wound healing Variable SC/Topical ⚠️ Limited Human antimicrobial peptide; some topical wound studies ARA-290 Neuropathy, tissue repair 2-8mg SC SC Phase 2 EPO derivative without blood effects; Phase 2 for neuropathy Collagen Peptides Skin, joint, gut health 10-20g daily Oral ✅ Strong Multiple RCTs for skin and joint; generally safe
Cognitive & Neuroprotection
Peptides for brain health, memory, and neurological function.
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Peptide Primary Use Dosage Route Evidence Notes Semax Cognitive enhancement, neuroprotection 300-600mcg nasal Nasal Foreign Approved in Russia/Ukraine for stroke, cognitive disorders Selank Anxiety, cognitive enhancement 250-500mcg nasal Nasal Foreign Approved in Russia for anxiety/neurasthenia N-Acetyl Semax Enhanced cognitive effects 200-600mcg nasal Nasal ❌ Animal Acetylated version; claimed longer duration; limited data N-Acetyl Selank Enhanced anxiolytic effects 200-500mcg nasal Nasal ❌ Animal Acetylated version; limited data vs. parent compound Dihexa Cognitive enhancement 10-20mg oral Oral ❌ Animal Angiotensin IV analog; animal data only; theoretical cancer concerns Cerebrolysin Stroke recovery, dementia 10-30mL IV IV/IM Foreign Approved in 50+ countries; Cochrane review shows modest benefit for dementia Cortexin Neuroprotection, TBI 10mg IM daily IM Foreign Approved in Russia for TBI, stroke; limited Western data P21 Neurogenesis, memory Varies Nasal ❌ Animal CNTF derivative; early research only FGL Memory, neuroprotection Experimental SC ❌ Animal NCAM mimetic; animal studies only Pinealon Brain and pineal gland support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Cerluten Brain and nervous system support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation
⏰Anti-Aging & Longevity
Peptides targeting cellular aging, NAD+, telomeres, and longevity pathways.
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Peptide Primary Use Dosage Route Evidence Notes Epitalon (Epithalon) Telomerase activation 5-10mg daily x 10-20 days SC ❌ Animal Russian research; one small human study; claimed telomere effects FOXO4-DRI Senolytic (removes aged cells) Highly experimental SC ❌ Animal Mouse studies showed senescent cell clearance; expensive, limited data Humanin Mitochondrial protection Experimental SC ❌ Animal Naturally occurring mitochondrial peptide; early research SS-31 (Elamipretide) Mitochondrial function 40mg daily SC Phase 3 Phase 3 trials for heart failure and rare mitochondrial diseases GHK-Cu Skin aging, collagen 1-2mg daily SC/Topical ⚠️ Limited Copper peptide; wound healing; collagen synthesis Thymalin Immune aging, thymus 10mg daily x 5-10 days IM Foreign Approved in Russia; thymus extract; some longevity studies Vilon Immune support, anti-aging 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Kristagen Thymus and immune support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation
❤️Sexual Function
Peptides for libido, erectile function, and sexual health.
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Peptide Primary Use Dosage Route Evidence Notes PT-141 (Bremelanotide) Sexual desire (women) 1.75mg as needed SC ✅ FDA FDA approved (Vyleesi) for HSDD in premenopausal women; nausea common Melanotan II Tanning, libido, erectile 0.25-0.5mg daily SC ⚠️ Limited Not approved; side effects include nausea, mole changes; tanning effect Kisspeptin-10 Reproductive hormone regulation Variable SC/IV Phase 2 Stimulates GnRH; research in fertility and hypogonadism
⚗️Hormonal Regulation
Peptides affecting testosterone, fertility, and endocrine function.
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Peptide Primary Use Dosage Route Evidence Notes Gonadorelin LH/FSH stimulation, fertility 100-500mcg 2x daily SC ✅ FDA FDA approved (Factrel); used to preserve fertility during TRT Kisspeptin-10 Reproductive axis stimulation Variable SC/IV Phase 2 Upstream of GnRH; research for IVF and hypogonadism hCG Testicular stimulation 250-500 IU 2-3x weekly SC/IM ✅ FDA FDA approved; maintains testicular function during TRT Enclomiphene Testosterone, fertility 12.5-25mg daily Oral Phase 3 Not a peptide; SERM; Phase 3 for secondary hypogonadism
️Muscle Growth
Peptides targeting muscle protein synthesis, myostatin, and anabolic pathways.
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Peptide Primary Use Dosage Route Evidence Notes Follistatin 344 Myostatin inhibition 100mcg daily SC ❌ Animal Myostatin blocker; animal data; stability concerns Follistatin 315 Myostatin inhibition 100mcg daily SC ❌ Animal More stable variant; limited human data ACE-031 Myostatin inhibition Clinical discontinued SC Phase 2 ⚠️ Trials halted due to nosebleeds, gum bleeding IGF-1 LR3 Muscle growth, recovery 20-50mcg daily SC/IM ❌ Animal Extended half-life IGF-1; hypoglycemia risk; cancer concerns IGF-1 DES Localized muscle growth 50-150mcg pre-workout IM ❌ Animal Very short half-life; used locally; limited data MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) Muscle repair post-exercise 100-200mcg post-workout IM ❌ Animal IGF-1 splice variant; very short half-life; limited data PEG-MGF Extended muscle repair 200mcg 2-3x weekly IM ❌ Animal PEGylated for longer duration; still experimental
Sleep & Recovery
Peptides for sleep quality, stress modulation, and recovery.
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Peptide Primary Use Dosage Route Evidence Notes DSIP (Delta Sleep) Deep sleep induction 100-200mcg at bedtime SC/Nasal ⚠️ Limited Variable human results; some European studies Epithalon Circadian regulation, sleep 5-10mg daily SC ❌ Animal Affects pineal/melatonin; primarily anti-aging claims Selank Anxiety, relaxation 250-500mcg Nasal Foreign May improve sleep through anxiolytic effects VIP Regulates digestion, circulation, immune response Varies Nasal/SC ⚠️ Limited Human studies for specific conditions Oxytocin Bonding, relaxation, recovery 10-40 IU nasal Nasal ✅ FDA FDA approved (Pitocin) for labor induction
️Immune & Bioregulators
Short peptides (bioregulators) for organ system support and immune function.
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Peptide Primary Use Dosage Route Evidence Notes Thymosin Alpha-1 Immune support, T-cell activity 1.6-6.4mg 2-3x weekly SC Foreign Approved in 35+ countries (not US) for hepatitis Thymagen Immune and thymus gland support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Vilon Immune support with anti-aging properties 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Cardiogen Cardiovascular and heart muscle support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Cartalax Cartilage health and joint support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Chonluten Respiratory system and lung support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Livagen Liver health support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Pancragen Pancreatic health support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Ovagen Ovarian and female reproductive support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Prostamax Prostate health support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Testagen Natural testosterone and male support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Vesigen Blood vessel and circulation support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Vesilute Bladder and urinary system support 10-20 drops Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation Bronchogen Respiratory bronchodilator Varies Oral/SC ❌ Animal Russian bioregulator; limited Western validation
Experimental/Research
Investigational peptides with limited data.
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Peptide Primary Use Dosage Route Evidence Notes B7-33 Relaxin derivative for heart failure/fibrosis Experimental SC ❌ Experimental Early preclinical PNC-27 Experimental anti-cancer peptide Highly experimental SC ❌ Experimental Cancer research; highly experimental
General Administration Guidelines
Reconstitution
Most peptides come as lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder. Reconstitute with 2-3 mL bacteriostatic water per vial. Inject water slowly down the vial wall to minimize foaming, then gently swirl (do not shake) until dissolved.
Storage
Lyophilized: Store frozen at -20°C (-4°F) for long-term Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2-8°C (35.6-46.4°F); use within 4-6 weeks Avoid freeze-thaw cycles
Injection Technique
Clean vial stopper and injection site with alcohol Pinch skinfold, insert needle at 45-90° into subcutaneous tissue Do not aspirate for SC injections Rotate sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) Use new sterile insulin syringe each time
How to Research Peptide Evidence
Red Flags to Watch For
⚠️ Cancelled trials with no explanation (like BPC-157's Phase 1 in 2015) ⚠️ Completed trials with unpublished results (like TB-500/Thymosin Beta-4 Phase 2) ⚠️ Only positive findings in literature (suggests publication bias) ⚠️ "Research chemical" labeling means no human safety data
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This document is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Evidence classifications are based on publicly available clinical trial data as of January 2026 and may change. Many peptides listed are experimental, not FDA-approved, or have limited safety data. Individual responses vary significantly. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before starting any peptide therapy.
Peptide dosage calculator: ExcelMale Peptide Dosage Calculator