Evidence table · updated 8 October 2026
Every peptide, graded on the human evidence
44 compounds people buy outside the pharmacy. For each: how strong the human evidence is, whether studies show it works for the use people take it for, and whether it is approved, made by US pharmacies or banned in sport.
44 compounds
| Compound | Evidence | Does it work? | FDA | US pharmacies | Sport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RetatrutideWeight loss | A | For weight loss in obesity or overweightBenefit shown | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Not named; likely caught by the catch-all ban |
| TirzepatideWeight loss | A | For weight loss and weight maintenanceBenefit shown | Approved (Zepbound, Mounjaro) | Copies limited since the shortage ended | Not banned, but monitored |
| CagrilintideWeight loss | A | For weight loss, alone or with semaglutideBenefit shown | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Not named; likely caught by the catch-all ban |
| SemaglutideWeight loss | A | For long-term weight managementBenefit shown | Approved (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus) | Copies limited since the shortage ended | Not banned, but monitored |
| AOD-9604Weight loss | B | For weight loss in adults with obesityNo clear benefit | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Banned at all times |
| LiraglutideWeight loss | A | For long-term weight managementBenefit shown | Approved (Saxenda, Victoza, generics) | Copies allowed while the shortage lasts | Not named; approved in the US, so likely allowed |
| MazdutideWeight loss | A | For weight loss in obesity or overweightBenefit shown | Approved in China as Xinermei; not in the US | Pharmacies may not make it, by our reading | Not named; approved in China, so likely allowed |
| OrforglipronWeight loss | A | For weight loss in adults with obesity or overweightBenefit shown | Approved (Foundayo) | Unclear whether pharmacies may make it | Not named; approved in the US, so likely allowed |
| SurvodutideWeight loss | A | For weight loss in obesity or overweightBenefit shown | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it, by our reading | Not named; likely caught by the catch-all ban |
| BPC-157Repair & recovery | B | For tendon and joint healingUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Banned at all times |
| TB-500Repair & recovery | D | For tendon, ligament, muscle and bone healingUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Banned at all times |
| PEG-MGFRepair & recovery | E | For muscle repair and growthUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Banned at all times |
| Pentadeca arginate (PDA)Repair & recovery | D | For tendon and joint healingUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it, by our reading | Banned at all times, as BPC-157 |
| Thymosin beta-4Repair & recovery | A | For tendon, ligament and muscle healingUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Banned at all times |
| GHK-CuSkin & tanning | B | For firmer skin and fewer wrinkles (creams and serums)Mixed results | Cosmetic ingredient, not an approved drug | Pharmacies may make it for now, not injections | Not named; unclear if a catch-all ban applies |
| Melanotan IISkin & tanning | B | For tanning with less or no sunUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Not named; likely caught by the catch-all ban |
| Melanotan I (afamelanotide)Skin & tanning | A | For tanning with less or no sunMixed results | Approved as Scenesse; vials are not | Unclear whether pharmacies may make it | Not named; approved in the US, so likely allowed |
| TesamorelinGrowth hormone axis | A | For reducing deep belly fatMixed results | Approved (Egrifta) for belly fat in HIV only | Pharmacies may not make it, by our reading | Banned at all times |
| IpamorelinGrowth hormone axis | B | For fat loss, muscle and sleepUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Banned at all times |
| CJC-1295Growth hormone axis | C | For fat loss, muscle and healingUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Banned at all times |
| SermorelinGrowth hormone axis | B | For anti-agingMixed results | No longer approved (Geref, withdrawn 2009) | Pharmacies can probably make it on prescription | Banned at all times |
| GHRP-2 (pralmorelin)Growth hormone axis | B | For muscle gain and fat lossUntested | Approved in Japan as a hormone test; not in US | Pharmacies may not make it, by our reading | Banned at all times |
| GHRP-6Growth hormone axis | B | For muscle gain and fat lossUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it, by our reading | Banned at all times |
| HexarelinGrowth hormone axis | B | For muscle gain and fat lossUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it, by our reading | Banned at all times |
| MK-677 (ibutamoren)Growth hormone axis | B | For building muscle and lean massMixed results | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Banned at all times |
| PT-141 (bremelanotide)Sexual health | A | For low sexual desire in women and menMixed results | Approved as Vyleesi; vials are not | Unclear whether pharmacies may make it | Not named; approved in the US, so likely allowed |
| GonadorelinSexual health | B | For keeping testes working during testosterone therapyUntested | Approved for cattle; human brands discontinued | Pharmacies can probably make it on prescription | Banned at all times for male athletes |
| KisspeptinSexual health | B | For sex drive and testosteroneMixed results | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Banned at all times for male athletes |
| NAD+Longevity & wellness | B | For anti-aging and energyUntested | Approved in China as an injection; not in US | Pharmacies may make it for now | Not banned, except drips over 100 mL in 12 hours |
| MOTS-cLongevity & wellness | D | For weight lossUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Banned at all times |
| EpitalonLongevity & wellness | B | For slowing aging and lengthening telomeresUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Not named; likely caught by the catch-all ban |
| GlutathioneLongevity & wellness | B | For skin lighteningMixed results | Approved in the Philippines with chemo; not US | Pharmacies may make it for now | Not banned, except drips over 100 mL in 12 hours |
| SS-31 (elamipretide)Longevity & wellness | B | For anti-aging and energyMixed results | Approved as Forzinity; vials are not | Unclear whether pharmacies may make it | Not named; approved in the US, so likely allowed |
| CerebrolysinBrain & sleep | B | For memory, thinking and recovery after strokeMixed results | Approved in 9 EU countries; not in the US | Pharmacies may not make it, by our reading | Not named; approved in Europe, so likely allowed |
| DihexaBrain & sleep | D | For memory, focus and learningUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Not named; likely caught by the catch-all ban |
| DSIP (emideltide)Brain & sleep | B | For better sleep in chronic insomniaMixed results | Approved in Russia as nose drops; not in US | Pharmacies may not make it | Not named; approved in Russia, so likely allowed |
| OxytocinBrain & sleep | A | For bonding, mood, anxiety and libidoMixed results | Approved as Pitocin; sprays and vials are not | Pharmacies may make it on prescription | Not named; approved in the US, so likely allowed |
| SelankBrain & sleep | B | For anxiety reliefMixed results | Approved in Russia as nose drops; not in US | Pharmacies may not make it | Not named; approved in Russia, so likely allowed |
| SemaxBrain & sleep | B | For focus and memory in healthy peopleUntested | Approved in Russia as nose drops; not in US | Pharmacies may not make it | Not named; unclear if a hormone ban covers it |
| KPVImmune | D | For gut and skin inflammationUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Not named; likely caught by the catch-all ban |
| LL-37Immune | B | For fighting infections and boosting immunityUntested | Not approved for any use | Pharmacies may not make it | Not named; likely caught by the catch-all ban |
| ThymalinImmune | B | For immune support and slowing agingMixed results | Approved in Russia as an injection; not in US | Pharmacies may not make it, by our reading | Not named; approved in Russia, so likely allowed |
| Thymosin alpha-1Immune | A | For immune support and fighting infectionsMixed results | Approved abroad as Zadaxin; not in the US | Pharmacies may not make it | Not named; approved in Italy, so likely allowed |
| VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide)Immune | B | For mold illness (CIRS)Untested | Approved abroad as part of Invicorp; not in US | Pharmacies may make it for now | Not named; approved in Sweden, so likely allowed |
Each compound page cites the source for every cell. Status in more countries, and what changed and when: the legal tracker. Every compound as an illustrated vial: the vial gallery. How the grades work: our method.
Evidence tier: the best human evidence for any use
- ATwo or more large human trials
- BAt least one controlled human trial
- COnly small or uncontrolled human studies
- DAnimal studies only
- ELab or anecdotal evidence only
Does it work? For the use people mostly take it for
- Benefit shown
- Mixed results
- Untested
- No clear benefit