The main families.
Most peptides people ask about fall into a few families. The family tells you what a peptide acts on and how much evidence to expect.
- The GLP family (semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide) copies gut hormones that curb hunger and lower blood sugar. Two are approved drugs.
- Healing and recovery is the largest family here, with five peptides. BPC-157 leads it, and its evidence comes mostly from animals.
- None of the healing peptides has a controlled human trial of injections for injury repair.
- Growth hormone releasers prompt the pituitary to release growth hormone. Only tesamorelin is approved, for one narrow use.
- Skin peptides like GHK-Cu are mostly studied as creams. PT-141 is approved as Vyleesi for low desire.
Five families at a glance
- GLP family Gut hormones for hunger, blood sugar and weight: semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide
- Healing and recovery Tendons, joints, gut and skin: bpc-157, tb-500, Wolverine (BPC-157 + TB-500), ghk-cu, kpv
- Growth hormone releasers Prompt the pituitary to release growth hormone: ipamorelin, CJC-1295, tesamorelin
- Skin and hair Creams, serums and copper: ghk-cu
- Others Desire, sleep and more: PT-141 (bremelanotide), dsip
Why healing gets its own big family
BPC-157 is one of the most popular peptides there is, and people often take it under the skin for tendon, muscle and joint complaints, often with TB-500. The evidence hasn't caught up: most of it comes from animals.
Symptom relief does not prove repair.
Next: Lesson 4: Approved drug
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