research reference, not medical advice

No grade here is an endorsement. Most of these compounds are not FDA-approved and are sold for research only. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy, possess, or self-administer anything. Consult a licensed physician.

the tier board.

Every compound graded S to F on the published evidence, grouped by tier. The honest ranking, not a hype list.

Tier board
SABCDF
68 entries · 6 tiers · evidence order
S-tier
6 entries
S-tier · 95/100
Semaglutide.
Ozempic · Wegovy
S

Semaglutide is a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, an acylated, structurally modified analog of the native incretin hormone GLP-1, engineered for once-weekly (injectable) or daily (oral) dosing through albumin binding and resistance to DPP-4 degradation.

FDAapprovedMetabolic & GLP-1
S-tier · 93/100
Liraglutide.
Victoza · Saxenda
S

Liraglutide is a long-acting, injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, an acylated analog of the human incretin hormone GLP-1.

FDAapprovedMetabolic & GLP-1
S-tier · 92/100
Tirzepatide.
Mounjaro · Zepbound
S

Tirzepatide (development code LY3298176) is a synthetic, 39-amino-acid modified peptide engineered as a "twincretin," a single molecule that activates two incretin hormone receptors at once.

FDAapprovedMetabolic & GLP-1
S-tier · 90/100
HCG.
human chorionic gonadotropin · Pregnyl
S

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a naturally occurring glycoprotein hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy, and it is also manufactured as an FDA-approved injectable medicine.

FDAapprovedSexual health
S-tier · 90/100
Human Growth Hormone.
HGH · somatropin
S

Human growth hormone (hGH, also called somatotropin) is a 191-amino-acid, single-chain polypeptide hormone secreted by somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland.

FDAapprovedGrowth hormone
S-tier · 90/100
Oxytocin.
Pitocin
S

Oxytocin is a nine-amino-acid peptide hormone (a nonapeptide) synthesized in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary into the bloodstream, as well as acting within the brain as a neuromodulator.

FDAapprovedSexual health
A-tier
3 entries
A-tier · 88/100
Afamelanotide.
Melanotan I · Scenesse
A

Afamelanotide is a synthetic 13-amino-acid analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), historically studied under the research name Melanotan I.

FDAapprovedSkin & cosmetic
A-tier · 87/100
Tesamorelin.
Egrifta
A

Tesamorelin is a synthetic 44-amino-acid analog of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH/GRF 1-44), stabilized by a trans-3-hexenoic acid group attached to its N-terminus.

FDAapprovedGrowth hormone
A-tier · 80/100
Gonadorelin.
GnRH · Factrel
A

Gonadorelin is a synthetic decapeptide identical in sequence to endogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), the hypothalamic hormone that governs the reproductive hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

FDAapprovedSexual health
B-tier
5 entries
B-tier · 76/100
PT-141.
bremelanotide · Vyleesi
B

PT-141, generic name bremelanotide, is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide that acts as a melanocortin receptor agonist.

FDAapprovedSexual health
B-tier · 73/100
Pentosan Polysulfate.
Elmiron
B

Pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS; brand name Elmiron) is a semisynthetic, sulfated polysaccharide derived from beechwood hemicellulose (xylan).

FDAapprovedHealing & recovery
B-tier · 70/100
Survodutide.
BI 456906
B

Survodutide (BI 456906) is an investigational once-weekly injectable peptide that activates two gut-hormone receptors at once: the glucagon receptor (GCGR) and the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R).

3.7/5EmergingMetabolic & GLP-1
B-tier · 68/100
Mazdutide.
IBI362 · LY3305677
B

Mazdutide (IBI362, originally LY3305677) is an investigational once-weekly injectable dual agonist of the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, based on a mammalian oxyntomodulin analog.

3.5/5EmergingMetabolic & GLP-1
B-tier · 68/100
Retatrutide.
triple agonist
B

Retatrutide (development code LY3437943) is an investigational once-weekly injectable peptide developed by Eli Lilly for the treatment of obesity and related cardiometabolic disease.

3.5/5EmergingMetabolic & GLP-1
C-tier
8 entries
C-tier · 63/100
Larazotide.
AT-1001 · larazotide acetate
C

Larazotide (larazotide acetate, research code AT-1001) is a synthetic eight-amino-acid peptide investigated as an oral, gut-restricted therapy for celiac disease.

3.0/5EarlyHealing & recovery
C-tier · 59/100
Cerebrolysin.
porcine brain peptide preparation
C

Cerebrolysin is a peptide preparation produced by the enzymatic breakdown of purified porcine (pig) brain proteins, yielding a mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides and free amino acids.

2.8/5EarlyCognition & mood
C-tier · 58/100
Sermorelin.
C

Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the N-terminal 1-29 fragment of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), the hypothalamic hormone that signals the pituitary to release growth hormone (GH).

3.2/5EarlyGrowth hormone
C-tier · 57/100
SS-31.
elamipretide
C

SS-31, known generically as elamipretide and chemically as the tetrapeptide D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ (Dmt = 2',6'-dimethyltyrosine), is a synthetic, cell-permeable, mitochondria-targeting peptide of the "Szeto-Schiller" (SS) aromatic-cationic class, originally discovered by Hazel Szeto and Peter Schiller at Cornell during opioid-peptide work.

3.2/5EarlyLongevity
C-tier · 56/100
Thymosin α-1.
Zadaxin
C

Thymosin alpha-1 (Tα1, international nonproprietary name thymalfasin; brand name Zadaxin) is a synthetic 28-amino-acid acetylated peptide identical to a naturally occurring fragment derived from prothymosin alpha, a protein produced in the thymus.

3.0/5EarlyImmune & inflammation
C-tier · 53/100
Cagrilintide.
amylin analog
C

Cagrilintide (development code AM833) is a long-acting, once-weekly synthetic analogue of the pancreatic hormone amylin, developed by Novo Nordisk.

2.8/5EarlyMetabolic & GLP-1
C-tier · 53/100
CagriSema.
cagrilintide + semaglutide
C

CagriSema is a fixed-combination injectable investigational obesity therapeutic developed by Novo Nordisk that co-formulates two long-acting peptide analogues in a single once-weekly subcutaneous injection: cagrilintide, a long-acting amylin receptor agonist (analogue of the pancreatic hormone amylin), and semaglutide, a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist already marketed for diabetes and obesity.

2.8/5EarlyMetabolic & GLP-1
C-tier · 50/100
VIP.
vasoactive intestinal peptide
C

VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide, also called vasoactive intestinal polypeptide) is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide first isolated from porcine intestine in the early 1970s.

2.7/5EarlyImmune & inflammation
D-tier
19 entries
D-tier · 49/100
ACE-031.
ramatercept · ActRIIB-Fc
D

ACE-031 (ramatercept) is not a peptide but a recombinant fusion protein that joins the extracellular domain of the human activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB) to the Fc region of IgG1.

2.7/5EarlyGrowth hormone
D-tier · 47/100
Kisspeptin.
D

Kisspeptin is a family of neuropeptides encoded by the KISS1 gene and cleaved from a 145-amino-acid precursor into fragments named for their length (kisspeptin-54, -14, -13, and -10), all sharing a common C-terminal decapeptide that confers biological activity.

2.5/5EarlySexual health
D-tier · 45/100
GHK-Cu.
copper peptide
D

GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of GHK, a naturally occurring human tripeptide with the sequence glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine.

2.7/5EarlySkin & cosmetic
D-tier · 45/100
Glutathione.
GSH · reduced glutathione
D

Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine that serves as the body's principal intracellular antioxidant and a key cofactor in detoxification.

2.7/5EarlyLongevity
D-tier · 41/100
AOD-9604.
D

AOD-9604 ("Advanced Obesity Drug 9604") is a synthetic 16-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the C-terminal lipolytic region of human growth hormone (hGH), residues 177–191, with an added tyrosine at the N-terminus.

2.3/5EarlyMetabolic & GLP-1
D-tier · 41/100
Selank.
D

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, with the laboratory designation TP-7.

2.3/5EarlyCognition & mood
D-tier · 41/100
Semax.
D

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) consisting of the ACTH(4-7) fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone joined to a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide.

2.3/5EarlyCognition & mood
D-tier · 40/100
Thymosin β-4.
D

Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is a small, naturally occurring 43-amino-acid acidic peptide found in nearly all mammalian cells and in high concentrations in platelets, wound fluid, and many tissues.

2.3/5EarlyHealing & recovery
D-tier · 39/100
Argireline.
acetyl hexapeptide-8
D

Argireline is the trade name for acetyl hexapeptide-3 (also designated acetyl hexapeptide-8 under INCI naming), a synthetic six-amino-acid peptide (Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-NH2) developed in the early 2000s as a topical cosmetic ingredient.

2.3/5EarlySkin & cosmetic
D-tier · 39/100
BPC-157.
body protection compound
D

BPC-157 (sometimes written PL 14736 or "Body Protection Compound 157") is a synthetic pentadecapeptide, a chain of 15 amino acids (Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val, MW ~1419 Da).

2.3/5EarlyHealing & recovery
D-tier · 39/100
Thymalin.
thymus peptide extract
D

Thymalin is a peptide preparation originally isolated as a polypeptide fraction from calf thymus gland, developed by Vladimir Khavinson's group in the Soviet Union and Russia.

2.2/5PreliminaryImmune & inflammation
D-tier · 38/100
GHRP-1.
growth hormone-releasing peptide-1
D

GHRP-1 is a synthetic heptapeptide, one of the earliest growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs) developed by Cyril Bowers' group in the 1980s and 1990s alongside GHRP-2 and GHRP-6.

2.2/5PreliminaryGrowth hormone
D-tier · 38/100
GHRP-2.
D

GHRP-2 (growth hormone-releasing peptide-2; international nonproprietary name pralmorelin; development codes KP-102/GPA-748) is a synthetic hexapeptide with the sequence D-Ala-D-2-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2.

2.2/5PreliminaryGrowth hormone
D-tier · 38/100
GHRP-6.
D

GHRP-6 (growth hormone-releasing peptide-6) is a synthetic hexapeptide with the sequence His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2.

2.2/5PreliminaryGrowth hormone
D-tier · 38/100
Hexarelin.
D

Hexarelin (examorelin) is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), structurally derived from the GHRP-6 family of growth hormone-releasing peptides.

2.2/5PreliminaryGrowth hormone
D-tier · 38/100
Melanotan II.
D

Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic, cyclic heptapeptide analog of the natural hormone alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH).

2.2/5PreliminarySkin & cosmetic
D-tier · 37/100
Matrixyl.
palmitoyl pentapeptide
D

Matrixyl is the trade name (Sederma/Croda) for palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, also written pal-KTTKS or palmitoyl-Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser.

2.2/5PreliminarySkin & cosmetic
D-tier · 35/100
Cortexin.
cattle brain polypeptides
D

Cortexin is a low-molecular-weight polypeptide preparation extracted from the cerebral cortex of cattle and calves.

2.0/5PreliminaryCognition & mood
D-tier · 35/100
SNAP-8.
acetyl octapeptide-3
D

SNAP-8 (acetyl octapeptide-3) is a synthetic eight-amino-acid peptide used as a topical cosmetic ingredient marketed to soften expression lines.

2.2/5PreliminarySkin & cosmetic
F-tier
27 entries
F-tier · 34/100
LL-37.
F

LL-37 is the only human cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptide, a 37-residue cationic, amphipathic alpha-helical peptide (named for its two leading leucine residues) cleaved from the C-terminus of the precursor protein hCAP18 (gene CAMP).

2.2/5PreliminaryImmune & inflammation
F-tier · 33/100
CJC-1295.
F

CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), based on the first 29 amino acids of human GHRH (GRF 1-29) with several amino-acid substitutions that resist enzymatic degradation.

2.0/5PreliminaryGrowth hormone
F-tier · 33/100
IGF-1 LR3.
F

IGF-1 LR3 (Long R3 IGF-1) is a synthetic, recombinant analog of human insulin-like growth factor-1.

2.0/5PreliminaryGrowth hormone
F-tier · 33/100
Ipamorelin.
F

Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) belonging to the growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP) class, sometimes described as a "third-generation" GHRP.

2.0/5PreliminaryGrowth hormone
F-tier · 30/100
HGH Fragment 176-191.
hGH frag 176-191 · GH lipolytic fragment
F

HGH Fragment 176-191 is a synthetic peptide corresponding to the final 16 amino acids (residues 176 to 191) of the C-terminal region of human growth hormone.

1.8/5PreliminaryMetabolic & GLP-1
F-tier · 30/100
MOTS-c.
F

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the 12S rRNA region of the mitochondrial genome, first described around 2015.

1.8/5PreliminaryLongevity
F-tier · 30/100
TB-500.
thymosin β4 fragment
F

TB-500 is a synthetic peptide sold for research use and widely marketed as "thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4)." Naturally occurring Tβ4 is a 43-amino-acid, ~4.9 kDa actin-sequestering peptide found in nearly all mammalian cells and at high concentration in platelets and wound fluid.

1.8/5PreliminaryHealing & recovery
F-tier · 29/100
CJC-1295 DAC.
F

CJC-1295 with DAC (also written DAC:GRF, CJC-1295 DAC) is a synthetic, long-acting analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH).

1.8/5PreliminaryGrowth hormone
F-tier · 29/100
Mod-GRF (1-29).
CJC-1295 no-DAC
F

Mod GRF 1-29 (commonly sold as "CJC-1295 without DAC") is a synthetic 29-amino-acid analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH).

1.8/5PreliminaryGrowth hormone
F-tier · 29/100
N-Acetyl Semax Amidate.
F

N-Acetyl-Semax-amidate is a doubly end-modified synthetic analogue of Semax, the Russian-developed heptapeptide H-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro-OH (an ACTH(4-7) fragment extended at the C-terminus with Pro-Gly-Pro).

1.8/5PreliminaryCognition & mood
F-tier · 28/100
Follistatin-344.
F

Follistatin-344 (FS-344) is an alternatively spliced isoform of human follistatin, a naturally occurring secreted glycoprotein that acts as a high-affinity antagonist of several TGF-beta superfamily ligands.

1.7/5PreliminaryGrowth hormone
F-tier · 28/100
Humanin.
F

Humanin is a 24-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP), one of the first members of a class of small peptides encoded by short open reading frames within the mitochondrial genome rather than the nuclear genome.

1.7/5PreliminaryLongevity
F-tier · 28/100
KPV.
F

KPV is a synthetic tripeptide composed of L-lysine, L-proline, and L-valine (Lys-Pro-Val), corresponding to the C-terminal residues 11-13 of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH).

1.7/5PreliminaryImmune & inflammation
F-tier · 24/100
B7-33.
single-chain relaxin analog
F

B7-33 is an experimental single-chain peptide derived from the B-chain of the human hormone relaxin-2 (H2 relaxin).

1.7/5PreliminaryHealing & recovery
F-tier · 24/100
PE-22-28.
spadin analog
F

PE-22-28 is a synthetic seven-residue peptide corresponding to residues 22 to 28 of spadin, itself a fragment derived from the sortilin propeptide (also called neurotensin receptor-3).

1.7/5PreliminaryCognition & mood
F-tier · 22/100
DSIP.
delta sleep-inducing peptide
F

DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide) is a small endogenous nonapeptide with the amino acid sequence Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu (WAGGDASGE), molecular weight roughly 850 Da.

1.3/5PreliminaryCognition & mood
F-tier · 22/100
Epitalon.
F

Epitalon (also spelled Epithalon or Epithalone; sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, abbreviated AEDG) is a synthetic tetrapeptide developed in the 1980s by the Russian gerontologist Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St.

1.3/5PreliminaryLongevity
F-tier · 22/100
P21.
P021 · CNTF-derived peptide mimetic
F

P21 (also written P021) is a small synthetic peptide derivative modeled on a biologically active region of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF).

1.5/5PreliminaryCognition & mood
F-tier · 21/100
Adipotide.
FTPP
F

Adipotide (FTPP, also called prohibitin-targeting peptide-1) is an experimental chimeric peptidomimetic designed to destroy the blood supply of white fat rather than act as a hormone.

1.5/5PreliminaryMetabolic & GLP-1
F-tier · 15/100
5-Amino-1MQ.
F

5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a small-molecule, substrate-site inhibitor of the enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT).

1.2/5MinimalLongevity
F-tier · 15/100
Dihexa.
F

Dihexa (N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6)-aminohexanoic amide; also referenced as PNB-0408) is a small, orally active peptidomimetic derived from angiotensin IV (Ang IV), a C-terminal fragment of the renin-angiotensin system.

1.2/5MinimalCognition & mood
F-tier · 15/100
FOXO4-DRI.
F

FOXO4-DRI is a synthetic senolytic peptide derived from the transcription factor FOXO4 (Forkhead box O4).

1.2/5MinimalLongevity
F-tier · 15/100
MGF.
mechano growth factor · IGF-1Ec
F

MGF is a splice variant of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), designated IGF-1Ec in humans and IGF-1Eb in rodents, produced locally in skeletal muscle in response to mechanical loading or damage.

1.2/5MinimalGrowth hormone
F-tier · 15/100
Vilon.
Lys-Glu dipeptide
F

Vilon is a synthetic dipeptide, L-lysyl-L-glutamate (Lys-Glu), one of the short peptide bioregulators developed by Vladimir Khavinson's St.

1.2/5MinimalLongevity
F-tier · 12/100
PEG-MGF.
F

PEG-MGF is a PEGylated synthetic peptide based on the unique C-terminal E-domain of mechano growth factor (MGF), an alternatively spliced isoform of insulin-like growth factor-1 known as IGF-1Ec (the rodent equivalent is IGF-1Eb).

1.0/5MinimalGrowth hormone
F-tier · 12/100
Pinealon.
F

Pinealon is a synthetic ultrashort tripeptide with the sequence glutamic acid–aspartic acid–arginine (Glu-Asp-Arg, abbreviated EDR).

1.0/5MinimalCognition & mood
F-tier · 12/100
PTD-DBM.
F

PTD-DBM is a synthetic, cell-permeable peptide whose name stands for "Protein Transduction Domain–Dishevelled Binding Motif." It fuses a short protein-transduction (cell-penetrating) domain to a peptide sequence that mimics the Dishevelled-binding region of the protein CXXC5, allowing it to act as a competitive decoy.

1.0/5MinimalSkin & cosmetic
Compounds