peptides

Peptides are short chains of amino acids with varied effects. Some can influence growth-hormone pathways, tissue repair, or body composition, but their benefits and risks depend on the specific peptide and how it is used. 1 2

• Growth hormone-related peptides: These include growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs), ghrelin-receptor agonists, and GHRH-like peptides. Examples discussed include sermorelin, tesamorelin, and ipamorelin. 3
• Potential effects and risks: Repeated peptide use may alter gene expression and sustain hormone-pathway effects; growth-hormone stimulation also carries concerns such as tumor growth and cancer risk. Some growth-hormone-related peptides can cause anxiety, marked hunger, or increased blood glucose. 4 5
• Tesamorelin and BPC-157: Tesamorelin is FDA-approved for lipodystrophy. BPC-157 is used for injury recovery and may increase blood flow to injured tissue, but it is not FDA-approved; its proposed effects include increasing VEGF and blood-vessel growth. 6 7
• Sourcing and medical oversight: Peptides can be contaminated, mislabeled, or used at doses above physiological ranges. The guidance is to use physician oversight and reliable, purified sources; contaminants such as LPS can provoke inflammation. 8 9