What Is Peptide Therapy?
Peptide therapy is a form of treatment that utilizes peptides (short chains of amino acids) to improve your health in a variety of ways.
Peptides are naturally occurring molecules in your body that play important roles in numerous functions throughout your body, specifically regulating hormone production, enhancing cell-to-cell communication, supporting immunity, promoting healthy skin, aiding in tissue repair, supporting muscle building, and more.
Peptide therapy aims to restore or optimize these functions by supplying your body with specific peptides known to benefit certain body parts and areas of health.
How Peptide Therapy Works
The use of peptides in therapy is not a new concept. In fact, peptides have been used in medicine for decades, primarily to help treat hormone deficiencies. But due to advancements in scientific research, the medical community has been able to expand how we use peptide therapy.
One of the key benefits of peptide therapy is its targeted approach. Unlike with traditional medications that often have widespread effects on your body, peptides can be designed to specifically target certain receptors or pathways, which helps to minimize potential side effects and create more personalized treatment options based on your individual needs.
The peptides utilized in peptide therapy can mimic or enhance the activity of your naturally occurring peptides, which helps to influence different functions and processes throughout your body.
One key mechanism of action that makes peptide therapy so useful and exciting is the ability of peptides to stimulate the production and release of growth factors, which play a critical role in tissue repair, regeneration, and your overall health.
By influencing the production of growth factors, peptide therapy can promote healing, improve your immune function, and enhance your overall well-being.
Additionally, peptides can act as signaling molecules, communicating messages between cells to regulate different physiological processes throughout your body. This signaling function allows peptides to coordinate complex activities within your body, including cell growth, metabolism, immune response and even collagen production.
6 Benefits of Peptide Therapy
As you can see by its many uses, peptide therapy offers a wide variety of benefits by harnessing the power of the naturally occurring peptides in your body. Here are some of the major benefits.
1. Enhance healing and recovery
Peptides such as BPC-157 and Thymosin Beta 4 are instrumental in accelerating the healing process, cooling inflammation, and promoting tissue regeneration. Athletes as well as those recovering from surgeries or injuries often turn to peptide therapy for faster recovery times and improved outcomes.
In fact, animal studies have shown that BPC-157 can significantly enhance the healing process and help to reduce pain in tendon injuries.
2. Improve metabolism and weight loss
GLP-1 and other metabolic peptides help boost metabolism, regulate blood sugar levels, and enhance insulin sensitivity, which can lead to significant weight loss and better management of metabolic conditions like diabetes. These peptides help to curb appetite and improve the body’s ability to utilize energy efficiently, resulting in an average reduction of 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight.
3. Promote anti-aging and skin Health
Peptides such as collagen and GHK-Cu play important roles in maintaining your skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and promoting overall skin health. Research has shown that by stimulating collagen production and repairing damaged tissues, these peptides help you achieve a more youthful and vibrant appearance.
4. Enhance athletic performance
Creatine and Sermorelin are two peptides that are commonly used by athletes to help improve muscle mass, increase strength, and boost endurance. They work to optimize growth hormone levels and supply energy to the cells in your muscles to enhance physical performance and recovery.
5. Support immune system
Peptides like VIP and glutathione have powerful immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects. They help to strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and protect against oxidative damage, leading to improved overall health and resilience against illnesses.
6. Improve cognitive function and mood
Certain peptides can positively impact your brain health and mental well-being. Specifically, VIP enhances your blood flow and helps to cool inflammation in the brain, potentially improving cognitive function and mood.
This makes peptide therapy a great treatment in post-concussion patients. Other beneficial peptides for this include Thymosin Beta 4, BC-157, and Sermorelin.
There are many other benefits of peptide therapy as well, including relieving pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis, relieving symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, assisting with sexual health concerns (such as low libido and erectile dysfunction), and even relieving insomnia and symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
FGL aka Selank- Previously called TP-7. Comes in 3mL ($140), 6mL ($240) and 9mL ($300) etc… Nasal spray.
ALL AGES over 18. Derived from Tuftsin an makes up one part of the immunoglobin G (IgG). Effects: antianxiety calm, enhance memory, sleep and cognitive function;. Particularly beneficial for those with neurological disorders. One spray each nostril at bedtime or twice daily.
Thymosin alpha- 1 (TA1). Thymus derived. Immunity modulator. Subcutaneous Injection 5mL $270, nasal spray $235, dissolvable mint tablet $15 each.
All ages over 18. To optimize immunity. Particularly beneficial for autoimmune, chronic disease, Lyme dx., immunodeficiency, acute illness; pre- and post chemo.Chronic inflammatory response syndrome and a prophylactic treatment against viral infections. Maximizes glutathione as a powerful antioxidant made in the cells. 50 units twice per week.
Thymosin Beta- 4 (TB4). TB 500 is an abridged form with a smaller amino chain than TB4. Like TA1, it is Thymus hormone gland derived. Comes in subcutaneous injection 5mL $280, dissolvable mint tablet $12 each.
Tissue repair and remodeling of injured or damaged tissues. Regulates the cell building protein called actin. Enhances collagen and promotes rapid wound healing. Potent anti-inflammatory. Prevents adhesion and fibrous band formation in injured tissue; i.e., muscles, tendons and ligaments. Protects neurons. Promotes hair growth. 3 months on, then rest a min of 1 month to cycle. 300 mcg-1 gram daily.
BPC-157 (aka Penta Deca peptide). Injectable 5mL $235, 10mL $400, and oral dissolvable tablets $8 each.
All ages over 18. Derived from gastric mucosa. Accelerates healing of muscle, tendons; connective tissue. It improves nerve regeneration and circulation. Anti-ulcer and GI health. Expedited cell turnover. 0.15 mL (15 units) 5 days per week; 2 days off. Alt: .30 mL or 30 units twice per week. There are variations to dosing dependent on injuries.
Hexarelin – Subcutaneous injection 3mL $170, 6mL $270 etc. Nasal spray 3mL $250, 6mL $450.
Safest for Middle adult age and older. Hexarelin is a growth hormone booster which increases bone growth and lean muscle. Cardioprotective against heart disease and post heart-attack. Improves recovery from exercise and surgery. Elevates growth hormone and IGF1 for several days after administration and optimized with Testosterone. Muscle building. Mass producing. 6-8 weeks on; 2 months off. 100mcg twice a week.
CJC/Ipamorelin is being decided by the FDA if it is to legally return. This is very much like Hexarelin.
AOD – fragment of Growth Hormone amino acids 176-191. Best for older adult. Don’t stack with other GH is my understanding. Works well with testosterone. Fda took injectable form off the market and is available oral form legally. Promotes the breakdown or destruction of fat. Trials to show application of AOD in osteoarthritis, high cholesterol
and bone; cartilage repair. Stimulates stem cell differentiation toward bone, muscle and cartilage repair. Length of treatment varies from 6-12 weeks and up to 6 months. Mitochondrial health; energy and organ repair
Glutathione- Super antioxidant- made of 3 amino acids. Glycine, cysteine and glutamine. Safe for everyone over 18. Injectable 30mL $175, 10mL $75 , oral dissolvable mint tablet $3ea and topical form .
Made naturally in human cells and in nutritional content of certain foods. Fights oxidative stress, reduces cell damage in fatter liver disease, improve vascular circulation. Lightens / brightens skin with greater amounts which is up for debate. Hair thinning, skin rejuvenation; wound healing
GHK-cu= copper peptide. Subcutaneous injection 5mL, $240, Sublingual drops 15mL $270, Skin creams 30 grams $225
Anti-aging support: skin regenerative, stem cell production,
decreases skin thinning, improves skin elasticity and firmness, wound healing, hair
growth or re-growth, antioxidant, neuroprotection, cognitive support. Hair serums and foams use as manufacture recommendations Best used with minoxidil, or finasteride for balding or hair thinning. Fat metabolism, muscle preservation and appetite regulation; sleep 5 amino 1MQ- Oral capsule form only $5 each. Safe for all ages. Improves fat metabolism and can influence weight loss, primarily by muscle preservation with less
food, appetite regulation, and metabolic processes.
Tryptophan:
This amino acid is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates appetite, mood, and sleep, potentially aiding in weight management by reducing cravings and improving sleep quality.
Glutamine:
Glutamine may improve gut health by reducing bacteria that promote weight gain, potentially promoting fat burn and reducing insulin resistance.
Methionine:
This amino acid is involved in metabolism and detoxification, and may play a role in fat metabolism and weight loss.
L-Carnitine:
L-carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid derivative that helps transport fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they can be burned for energy.
L-Arginine:
Research suggests that L-arginine may help increase fat burn and improve insulin sensitivity, which can help regulate blood sugar and reduce body fat.
GLP-1s include Semaglutide, Tirzepatide (glp1 and gip), liraglutide and
Retatrutide (not fda approved).
Subcutaneous injection and few options for oral. Type 2 Diabetes medication to regulate blood glucose.
PT 141 (aka Valeesi and bremelanocortin). Used in male or female sexual dysfunction
particularly in women. Subcutaneous injection 2mL $180,4mL $280, etc Nasal spray
5mL $250, 10mL $450, etc.
Men should not use if already taking Cialis or Viagra. May only use twice per week or up to 8 times per month. Duration of effects after administration is 24-72 hours. Hypersexuality may occur the first 24 hours. Recommend to inject 1mg for test dose first time, then add 1mg 30 minutes later. Works best for post-menopausal women and optimally with Testosterone and Oxytocin for libido and heightened responsiveness.
Oxytocin- nasal spray 30mL $175, 60mL $300, dissolvable tablet $3 each
Made naturally in hypothalamus and stored in pituitary gland. “The love and bonding hormone”
for men and women that is responsible for libido, orgasm, lactation during pregnancy
and facilitates childbirth. Works well by itself or with PT 141 or testosterone, sildenafil
(Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) for heightened responsiveness.
