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Most peptides are short chains of amino acids. The popular ones like BPC-157 are usually given by subcutaneous injection because the gut would otherwise break them down. They’re often sold research-use-only, arriving as a powder that needs reconstitution with BAC water, and a trustworthy seller publishes a COA. Some act as a secretagogue, while approved GLP-1 drugs are a different story entirely.
↑ In production this highlighting is applied automatically to known terms across every article.
503A compounding
A US legal framework letting pharmacies make custom-formulated medicines for individual patients.
Agonist
A molecule that switches a receptor on. The opposite is an antagonist, which blocks it.
Amino acid
The building blocks of proteins. A peptide is a short chain of them linked together.
Angiogenesis
The growth of new blood vessels — a proposed mechanism behind some healing peptides.
BAC water
Bacteriostatic water — sterile water with a preservative, used to dissolve peptide powders.
BPC-157
A synthetic peptide based on a protein found in stomach acid, popular for healing — but evidence is animal-only.
COA
Certificate of Analysis — a lab document showing a batch’s purity and contents. Reputable suppliers publish them.
GLP-1
Glucagon-like peptide-1. The hormone class behind approved weight-loss drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Growth hormone (GH)
A hormone that influences muscle, fat and tissue repair. Several peptides aim to raise it indirectly.
Half-life
How long it takes for half a dose to clear your system — it shapes how often something is taken.
IGF-1
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 — a growth signal made by the liver in response to growth hormone.
Peptide
A short chain of amino acids. Larger chains become proteins; insulin is a well-known peptide.
Reconstitution
Mixing a freeze-dried peptide powder with liquid to make it usable. (How it’s done safely is a clinician’s job.)
Research-use-only
A label meaning a product is sold for lab research, not human use. A legal workaround — it implies no quality control or human testing.
Secretagogue
A compound that prompts your body to release more of something — e.g. growth-hormone secretagogues nudge natural GH release.
Subcutaneous
Injected just under the skin (the "pinch an inch" method), as opposed to into a vein or muscle.
WADA
The World Anti-Doping Agency, whose Prohibited List defines what’s banned in tested sport.