Peptides for muscle & performance
Frequently discussed for recovery and performance, but largely preclinical and often prohibited in sport.
S is approval-grade evidence; F is documented harm or near-zero human data. Each bar is how many peptides on this page land in that tier — a fast read on how much of this category sits in approval-grade evidence versus thin or vendor-driven claims.
The category at a glance
Every compound here ranked S–F by its weighted evidence score — strongest human / approval-grade evidence at the top, thin or vendor-driven claims at the bottom. Tap any row for the evidence read. Popularity never raises a tier.
Receipts, not vendor theater. Every tier here is computed from published evidence and regulatory status — not vendor marketing or influencer claims. See how we score.
DBPC 157Early human evidenceMedium overstatementResearch-use-only39/ 100
A synthetic peptide widely marketed for healing, but the evidence is almost entirely animal and in-vitro — robust human clinical trials are lacking. It is not approved for human use and is sold research-use-only. Mechanistically interesting, clinically unproven; treat strong human claims with caution.
Tier read: early human evidence · medium overstatement risk · low search interest · Early human. Why not F: supported by preclinical depth. Why not C: held back by human evidence, safety clarity, regulatory clarity.
Read the full BPC 157 profile →DGhrp 6Early human evidenceMedium overstatementResearch-use-only38/ 100
A synthetic GH-releasing peptide / ghrelin-receptor agonist. Human data come largely from small pharmacokinetic and GH-stimulation studies; broader cytoprotective claims rest mostly on preclinical work. No large human outcome trials, not FDA-approved.
Tier read: early human evidence · medium overstatement risk · low search interest · Early human. Why not F: supported by mechanism confidence. Why not C: held back by human evidence, safety clarity, regulatory clarity, practical relevance.
Read the full Ghrp 6 profile →FIGF 1 LR3Early human evidenceMedium overstatementResearch-use-only33/ 100
A synthetic IGF-1 analogue engineered for higher potency and reduced binding-protein affinity, studied almost exclusively in animal and cell models. Essentially no controlled human outcome trials; not an approved human drug.
Tier read: early human evidence · medium overstatement risk · low search interest · Animal. Why not D: held back by human evidence, safety clarity, regulatory clarity, practical relevance.
Read the full IGF 1 LR3 profile →FTB 500Early human evidenceMedium overstatementResearch-use-only30/ 100
TB-500 is a synthetic fragment related to thymosin β4. Thymosin β4 has been studied preclinically for wound and tissue repair, but TB-500 itself has minimal human evidence and is not approved. Most claims rest on animal data.
Tier read: early human evidence · medium overstatement risk · low search interest · Animal. Why not D: held back by human evidence, safety clarity, regulatory clarity, practical relevance.
Read the full TB 500 profile →FFollistatin 344Early human evidenceMedium overstatementResearch-use-only28/ 100
A myostatin/activin antagonist studied mainly in preclinical and gene-therapy contexts for muscle-wasting disease. An early phase-1/2a AAV1-FS344 trial in Becker muscular dystrophy reported functional changes in a small safety/feasibility setting. Experimental, not approved.
Tier read: early human evidence · medium overstatement risk · low search interest · Animal. Why not D: held back by human evidence, safety clarity, regulatory clarity, practical relevance.
Read the full Follistatin 344 profile →FPEG MGFWeak human evidenceHigh overstatementResearch-use-only12/ 100
A PEGylated synthetic mechano growth factor (an IGF-1 splice variant) implicated in satellite-cell activation and muscle repair. Evidence is essentially preclinical — cell and animal studies only; there are no human trials of PEG-MGF and no clinical safety data. Unapproved research compound.
Tier read: weak human evidence · high overstatement risk · low search interest · Anecdote. Why not D: held back by human evidence, preclinical depth, mechanism confidence, safety clarity, regulatory clarity, practical relevance.
Read the full PEG MGF profile →Performance and recovery peptides are frequently discussed in gym and sport circles, but the category is largely preclinical — and many of these compounds are prohibited in competition. Caution is the operating word.
No broad human winner yet for this goal — the strongest evidence is still limited.
Nothing in this bucket.
What the evidence actually supports
Compounds like BPC-157, TB-500, IGF-1 LR3, PEG-MGF, and follistatin-344 have growth/repair-relevant mechanisms, mostly in animal or gene-therapy models. Robust human performance evidence is lacking.
Where the hype outruns the data
Proven human performance gains, safe use in competition, and “muscle growth without risk” are not supported. Several of these are explicitly prohibited under WADA, and potent growth signaling (IGF-1 LR3, follistatin) carries unknown long-term human risks.
FAQ
Do performance peptides work in humans?
Human performance evidence is largely missing; support is preclinical. Many are also banned in sport.
Are they allowed in competition?
Several are prohibited under WADA. Check the current prohibited list — this page does not clear anything for competition.
Is this medical advice?
No — research reference only.
Research reference only. Not medical advice, treatment instructions, or a purchase recommendation. Consult a licensed professional.