Research Library
What the peer-reviewed literature, regulators, and practising physicians actually say. We link to primary sources — you decide.
How to read this page
Every claim links to its source.
Peptide therapy is a young clinical field. Some compounds (Tesamorelin) are FDA-approved with Phase 3 data. Others (BPC-157, Epitalon) have decades of animal research but limited human trials. A few (CJC-1295/Ipamorelin) have been removed from compounding pharmacy access by the FDA in 2023. We summarize the evidence below with direct citations — not marketing copy.
None of this is medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician before any protocol.
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound)
Pentadecapeptide for tissue repair — promising animal data, sparse human trials.
What does the current research show?
As of 2026, no active recruiting clinical trials for BPC-157 are listed on ClinicalTrials.gov. Only 3 published human studies exist, all small pilot trials. A 2015 Phase 1 study with 42 volunteers was cancelled in 2016 with no data published. Doses currently used are extrapolated from animal models — not derived from human pharmacokinetics.
A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial (NCT07437547) is currently evaluating BPC-157 for acute hamstring muscle strain. This will be the first robust human efficacy data once published.
What do regulators say?
BPC-157 is not FDA-approved for any indication. It is sold as a research compound only. The FDA has not authorized any compounding pharmacy access. Human safety and long-term effects remain undocumented.
Direct sources
- Multifunctionality and Possible Medical Application of the BPC-157 Peptide — Literature and Patent Review (PMC, 2024)
- STAT News — "BPC-157: The peptide with big claims and scant evidence" (Feb 2026)
- ClinicalTrials.gov — BPC-157 for Acute Hamstring Strain Repair (Phase 2)
- Maryland Orthopedic Specialists — Patient guide on safety, efficacy, sourcing (Apr 2026)
- Ubie Doctor's Note — BPC-157 medical look & safety checklist
Tesamorelin (Egrifta)
FDA-approved GHRH analog — the most clinically validated peptide we stock.
FDA approval status
Tesamorelin is FDA-approved (brand name Egrifta) for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. Approval was based on two Phase 3 trials (LIPO-010 and CTR-1011) involving 806 HIV+ patients, showing 19.6% and 11.7% visceral adipose tissue (VAT) reduction respectively.
Safety profile
- No significant elevation in fasting glucose at the 2 mg/day dose over 52 weeks
- Reductions in triglycerides and improvements in HDL/LDL ratios reported
- Glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes risk should still be monitored
- Statistically significant trunk fat reduction visible by 26 weeks
CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin
FDA flagged for compounding restriction in 2023 — understand the regulatory context.
FDA action in October 2023
In October 2023, the FDA designated CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin as Category 2 bulk drug substances, effectively prohibiting them from being compounded by licensed pharmacies for human use. The agency cited concerns including potential heart-related adverse events in available safety data.
They remain non-FDA-approved medications whose any therapeutic use is entirely off-label.
How they work
CJC-1295 is a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog; Ipamorelin is a growth hormone secretagogue (GHS). They use different signaling pathways, which is why they were paired together — each targets a separate trigger for GH release. High-quality human safety data, particularly for long-term use and the combination, remain limited.
Tirzepatide & Retatrutide
The new generation of multi-receptor agonists — Tirzepatide FDA-approved, Retatrutide in Phase 3.
Head-to-head weight loss data
A 2024-2026 network meta-analysis (PMC12544991) compared the two:
- Retatrutide: mean weight reduction of 16.34 kg (triple agonist: GLP-1, GIP, glucagon receptors)
- Tirzepatide: mean weight reduction of 11.82 kg (dual agonist: GLP-1 + GIP)
- At 52 weeks: mono-agonists 7.03 kg vs. dual-agonists 11.07 kg vs. tri-agonists 24.15 kg
- Retatrutide Phase 3 (4, 9, 12 mg) all met primary obesity endpoints at 80 weeks
Approval status
Tirzepatide: FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and chronic weight management (Zepbound).
Retatrutide: still investigational. As of 2026, only available through Eli Lilly's clinical trials.
Direct sources
Longevity Stack: NAD+, GHK-Cu, Epitalon
The anti-aging triad — evidence quality varies dramatically by compound.
Evidence ranking
- GHK-Cu: strongest evidence in this group. Multiple controlled studies on collagen synthesis, skin remodeling, wound healing. Clinical support for visible effects is solid.
- NAD+: mechanistic data strong (mitochondrial function, DNA repair). Direct human longevity outcomes still emerging.
- Epitalon: 40+ years of Russian research (Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation) on telomerase activity, pineal/circadian regulation. Most human data is older and small. Treat as exploratory.
Regulatory status
Epitalon is not approved for human use in the US, EU, UK, Canada, or Australia. Sold as a research compound only. NAD+ and GHK-Cu are similarly off-label outside specific indications.
How-To & FAQ
Mixing, syringe math, sting reduction, storage, and cycling.
Stack Builder
Pick peptides, see what they target on a body map.
Disclaimer: External links are provided for reference only and do not constitute endorsement. Read the source material critically. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any protocol.