This is our index of plain-language explainers for compounds sold as research peptides. Each page covers what the compound is, who developed it, what the published evidence actually covers, its regulatory status as of October 2026 and how to check a certificate of analysis. None of them contain dosing or use guidance.
Notice: Research peptides are sold for in-vitro laboratory research only. They are not FDA-approved, not for human or animal consumption, and this page is not medical advice. It contains no dosing or use guidance.
GLP-1 class and metabolic compounds
| Compound | What it is | Explainer | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide | Lilly's investigational GIP/GLP-1/glucagon triple agonist | What is retatrutide? | Prices |
| Tirzepatide | Lilly's GIP/GLP-1 agonist, approved as Mounjaro and Zepbound | What is tirzepatide? | Prices |
| Semaglutide | Novo's GLP-1 agonist, approved as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus | What is semaglutide? | Prices |
| Cagrilintide | Novo's investigational amylin analog, part of CagriSema | What is cagrilintide? | Prices |
| AOD-9604 | Modified growth-hormone fragment whose obesity trials failed | What is AOD-9604? | Prices |
Healing and immune research
| Compound | What it is | Explainer | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 | 15-amino-acid gastric-protein fragment, evidence mostly in animals | What is BPC-157? | Prices |
| TB-500 | Synthetic fragment of thymosin beta-4, banned in sport | What is TB-500? | Prices |
| KPV | Lys-Pro-Val tripeptide from the tail of alpha-MSH | What is KPV? | Prices |
Growth-hormone secretagogues and growth factors
| Compound | What it is | Explainer | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ipamorelin | Ghrelin-receptor agonist; failed its phase 2 trial | What is ipamorelin? | Prices |
| Sermorelin | GHRH(1-29), formerly approved as Geref | What is sermorelin? | Prices |
| CJC-1295 | Modified GHRH analog, with or without DAC | What is CJC-1295? | Prices |
| Tesamorelin | GHRH analog, approved as Egrifta | What is tesamorelin? | Prices |
| Hexarelin | Growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide (examorelin) | What is hexarelin? | Prices |
| IGF-1 LR3 | Engineered IGF-1 analog made for cell culture | What is IGF-1 LR3? | Prices |
Longevity and cellular research
| Compound | What it is | Explainer | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAD+ | Coenzyme in every cell, not a peptide | What is NAD+? | Prices |
| MOTS-c | 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA | What is MOTS-c? | Prices |
| Epitalon | Khavinson tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) | What is epitalon? | Prices |
Skin, tanning and melanocortin peptides
| Compound | What it is | Explainer | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| GHK-Cu | Copper tripeptide used in skin care and research vials | What is GHK-Cu? | Prices |
| PT-141 | Bremelanotide, approved as Vyleesi | What is PT-141? | Prices |
| Melanotan II | Unapproved alpha-MSH analog sold for tanning | What is melanotan 2? | Prices |
Cognitive and neuro
| Compound | What it is | Explainer | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semax | ACTH(4-10) analog registered as a drug in Russia | What is Semax? | Prices |
Comparisons between related compounds: semaglutide vs tirzepatide, retatrutide vs tirzepatide, CJC-1295 vs sermorelin, ipamorelin vs sermorelin and Semax vs Selank.
What every explainer checks
- Approval status. Whether any product with this active ingredient is approved by FDA or another regulator, and why a research-labeled vial isn't that product.
- FDA compounding status. Where the compound sits on FDA's 503A bulk-substance lists and what the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted. Background: FDA peptide regulation in 2026 and the regulatory news tracker.
- Sport. Whether WADA's Prohibited List covers it.
- The evidence. What published human trials, animal studies and cell work actually show, with links to the papers or trial records.
- The certificate. What identity, purity and contamination results to look for. See how to read a peptide COA and our directory of peptide testing labs.
For prices across every compound we track, see the price index.