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Click a card to reveal the peptide's pronunciation, what it is, and what it's popularly used for. How many can you get right?
Total Cards
45
across 7 categories
0 of 45 revealed
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What It Is
Hydrolyzed collagen fragments taken as supplements or drinks. They're absorbed in the gut and may signal skin cells to produce more collagen from the inside out.
Popularly Used For
Skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction from within. A massive nutraceutical category — the 'beauty from within' trend.
Fun Fact
A 2025 meta-analysis found that when studies were sorted by funding source, the benefits of collagen supplements were no longer significant in non-industry-funded trials — a sobering caveat.
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What It Is
A synthetic analog of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) that helps the kidneys retain water.
Popularly Used For
Diabetes insipidus, bedwetting in children, and hemophilia A. Available as injection, nasal spray, and oral tablet.
Fun Fact
Desmopressin is one of the few peptides that works orally — it's absorbed through the mouth lining.
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What It Is
An FDA-approved GHRH analog marketed as Egrifta. It stimulates your pituitary gland to produce more growth hormone naturally.
Popularly Used For
HIV-associated lipodystrophy (excess belly fat). Also popular off-label in anti-aging and body composition optimization.
Fun Fact
Tesamorelin specifically targets visceral fat — the dangerous fat around your organs — rather than subcutaneous fat.
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What It Is
A glucagon analog designed for emergency rescue from severe hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar) in diabetes patients.
Popularly Used For
Emergency hypoglycemia treatment. It's a ready-to-use rescue pen — no mixing required, unlike older glucagon kits.
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What It Is
A GHRH analog that was historically FDA-approved for diagnosing growth hormone deficiency. Now primarily used in compounded anti-aging protocols.
Popularly Used For
Growth hormone optimization and anti-aging. One of the OG peptides in the anti-aging clinic world.
Fun Fact
Sermorelin was FDA-approved as Geref but was voluntarily withdrawn from the market for commercial reasons, not safety issues.
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What It Is
A parathyroid hormone fragment (PTH 1-34) that stimulates new bone formation. Marketed as Forteo.
Popularly Used For
Severe osteoporosis treatment. Unlike most bone drugs that prevent breakdown, teriparatide actually builds new bone.
Fun Fact
Teriparatide is given as a daily injection for up to 2 years — after that, patients switch to a bone-preserving drug.
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What It Is
An earlier GLP-1 receptor agonist and the predecessor to semaglutide. Marketed as Victoza for diabetes and Saxenda for weight loss.
Popularly Used For
Weight management and blood sugar control. It paved the way for the GLP-1 revolution before semaglutide took over.
Fun Fact
Liraglutide requires daily injections, while semaglutide only needs weekly — a key reason semaglutide won the market.
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What It Is
A synthetic somatostatin analog that inhibits growth hormone and various gut hormones. Marketed as Sandostatin.
Popularly Used For
Treating acromegaly (excess growth hormone) and neuroendocrine tumors. A workhorse peptide drug in oncology.
Fun Fact
Octreotide is 45 times more potent than natural somatostatin at inhibiting growth hormone release.
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What It Is
A synthetic tetrapeptide (just 4 amino acids) studied for its ability to activate telomerase, the enzyme that maintains telomere length.
Popularly Used For
Anti-aging and longevity. The biohacker community uses it hoping to slow cellular aging by protecting telomeres.
Fun Fact
Epithalon was developed by Russian scientist Vladimir Khavinson, who has been studying it since the 1990s.
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What It Is
A melanocortin receptor agonist FDA-approved as Vyleesi. The only peptide drug approved specifically for sexual desire disorders.
Popularly Used For
Treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women. Works through the brain, not blood flow.
Fun Fact
PT-141 was accidentally discovered when researchers testing Melanotan II for tanning noticed it caused spontaneous erections in male subjects.
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What It Is
An anti-inflammatory cosmetic peptide that targets early signs of aging and skin glycation. One of the newer 'pre-aging' peptide ingredients.
Popularly Used For
Preventive anti-aging skincare for younger skin. A 2025 study showed it reduced a skin glycation index and improved early aging signs over 12 weeks.
Fun Fact
This peptide targets 'pre-aging' — the idea that you should start fighting skin aging before visible wrinkles appear, not after.
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What It Is
Anti-Obesity Drug fragment 9604. A modified fragment of human growth hormone that targets fat metabolism.
Popularly Used For
Fat loss in the gray-market peptide community. Not FDA-approved but widely sold as a 'research chemical.'
Fun Fact
AOD-9604 is literally a chopped-up piece of growth hormone — just the fat-burning part without the growth effects.
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What It Is
A locally acting oral peptide that works in the gut lumen to increase fluid secretion and accelerate transit. Marketed as Linzess.
Popularly Used For
IBS with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation. One of the few oral peptides that works without systemic absorption.
Fun Fact
Linaclotide barely enters the bloodstream — it does its job entirely inside the gut, which minimizes side effects.
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What It Is
A signal peptide that stimulates collagen synthesis by mimicking the body's own growth factors. Often paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in premium skincare.
Popularly Used For
Anti-aging eye creams and serums. A 2024 clinical trial showed it improved hydration, elasticity, and ultrasound-measured collagen density around the eyes.
Fun Fact
This peptide is almost always sold as part of a duo with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 — together they're marketed as Matrixyl 3000.
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What It Is
An investigational oral GLP-1/amylin co-agonist — a pill that could replace weekly injections for weight loss.
Popularly Used For
The holy grail: an oral weight loss peptide with dual-mechanism action. No more needles.
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What It Is
A synthetic peptide derived from tuftsin (an immune peptide) with anxiolytic and nootropic properties. Developed in Russia.
Popularly Used For
Anxiety reduction and cognitive enhancement. Popular in the nootropic community as a 'calm focus' peptide.
Fun Fact
Selank is approved as an anti-anxiety medication in Russia but has no FDA approval in the United States.
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What It Is
A mitochondria-targeted peptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane to restore cellular energy production.
Popularly Used For
Treating mitochondrial dysfunction, heart failure, and rare mitochondrial diseases. Currently in clinical trials.
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What It Is
Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide. A neuropeptide that crosses the blood-brain barrier and modulates sleep architecture.
Popularly Used For
Sleep regulation and stress reduction. Used in the biohacking community for improving deep sleep quality.
Fun Fact
DSIP was discovered in 1977 when researchers extracted it from the blood of sleeping rabbits.
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What It Is
A signal peptide based on the KTTKS sequence that mimics collagen breakdown fragments to trick fibroblasts into producing more collagen. The original 'collagen-boosting' cosmetic peptide.
Popularly Used For
Anti-wrinkle serums and creams. One of the most clinically studied cosmetic peptides — a 93-person split-face trial showed real wrinkle improvement over 12 weeks.
Fun Fact
Matrixyl works by sending a 'false alarm' to skin cells — the KTTKS fragment makes fibroblasts think collagen is breaking down, so they ramp up production.
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What It Is
A copper-binding tripeptide naturally found in human plasma. It signals tissue remodeling and has potent wound healing properties. Mechanistically one of the richest peptides in cosmetic science.
Popularly Used For
Skin rejuvenation, wound healing, and anti-aging skincare. Found in both gray-market peptides and high-end cosmetic serums. A 2024 review confirmed strong cell data but noted a surprising lack of clinical studies using GHK-Cu alone.
Fun Fact
GHK-Cu was discovered in human blood plasma and decreases with age — from 200 ng/mL at age 20 to 80 ng/mL by age 60.
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What It Is
A GnRH antagonist that immediately blocks gonadotropin release without the initial hormone surge seen with GnRH agonists.
Popularly Used For
Advanced prostate cancer treatment. Unlike Lupron, it suppresses testosterone immediately without a dangerous 'flare.'
Fun Fact
Degarelix was designed to avoid the 'testosterone flare' problem that makes GnRH agonists risky for some prostate cancer patients.
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What It Is
A GnRH agonist that paradoxically suppresses sex hormones after an initial surge. Marketed as Lupron.
Popularly Used For
Prostate cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and precocious puberty. One of the most widely prescribed peptide drugs.
Fun Fact
Leuprolide works by overstimulating the GnRH receptor until it downregulates — essentially 'burning out' the signal.
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What It Is
An investigational amylin analog designed to complement GLP-1 therapy by targeting a separate appetite-regulation pathway.
Popularly Used For
Next-generation obesity treatment. Being studied as an add-on to GLP-1 drugs for patients who plateau on semaglutide alone.
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What It Is
A proprietary peptide-and-hexapeptide complex designed to clear old, damaged collagen and elastin while stimulating new fiber production. Used in Alastin Skincare products.
Popularly Used For
Post-laser and post-procedure recovery. Clinical studies show less redness and roughness after laser resurfacing, plus histologic evidence of new collagen and elastin fibers.
Fun Fact
TriHex works on a 'clear and replace' principle — it helps the skin recycle damaged matrix proteins before building fresh ones, like renovating a house instead of just painting over cracks.
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What It Is
Body Protection Compound-157. A peptide derived from a protein found in human gastric juice, studied for remarkable tissue repair properties.
Popularly Used For
Injury recovery, gut healing, and tissue repair. Hugely popular in the fitness and biohacking communities despite no FDA approval.
Fun Fact
BPC-157 stands for 'Body Protection Compound' — it was isolated from stomach acid, which is why it's linked to gut healing.
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What It Is
A mitochondrial-derived peptide that regulates metabolic homeostasis. It's encoded in mitochondrial DNA, not nuclear DNA.
Popularly Used For
Metabolic regulation and 'exercise mimetic' effects. The longevity crowd calls it 'exercise in a bottle.'
Fun Fact
MOTs-C is one of the few known peptides encoded by mitochondrial DNA rather than nuclear DNA.
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What It Is
A selective growth hormone secretagogue that stimulates GH release through the ghrelin receptor without significantly affecting cortisol or prolactin.
Popularly Used For
Growth hormone optimization, muscle recovery, and anti-aging. The 'gentler' GH booster — often combined with CJC-1295.
Fun Fact
Ipamorelin is considered one of the cleanest GH secretagogues because it doesn't spike cortisol or hunger like other options.
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What It Is
An anti-inflammatory signal peptide that reduces IL-6 secretion to calm chronic low-grade skin inflammation associated with aging.
Popularly Used For
Anti-aging formulations targeting 'inflammaging' — the chronic inflammation that accelerates skin aging. Usually paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1.
Fun Fact
While most cosmetic peptides focus on building collagen, this one works by calming the inflammation that destroys it — a defense-first strategy.
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What It Is
An investigational dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist in clinical development by Boehringer Ingelheim.
Popularly Used For
Obesity treatment and metabolic liver disease (MASH/NASH). Adding glucagon action may help burn more fat.
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What It Is
Peptides that target the TRPV1 receptor — a heat and pain sensor in skin — to calm sensitive, reactive skin without traditional anti-inflammatory drugs.
Popularly Used For
Sensitive skin care and redness reduction. A 2025 study showed improved texture, elasticity, and reduced erythema after just 4 weeks.
Fun Fact
TRPV1 is the same receptor that makes chili peppers feel 'hot' — these peptides essentially turn down the skin's sensitivity dial.
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What It Is
A synthetic peptide derived from ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) with neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects.
Popularly Used For
Cognitive enhancement, focus, and neuroprotection. The nootropic community's favorite brain peptide.
Fun Fact
Semax was developed for Soviet cosmonauts to help them maintain cognitive performance under stress.
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What It Is
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide — a coenzyme in every living cell that's essential for energy metabolism and DNA repair.
Popularly Used For
Longevity IV drips, anti-aging protocols, and energy boosting. A staple of the biohacking and longevity medicine scene.
Fun Fact
NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, which is why the longevity community is obsessed with replenishing it.
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What It Is
An investigational triple agonist that hits GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors simultaneously. The next frontier in metabolic peptide drugs.
Popularly Used For
Potentially the most powerful weight loss drug ever — Phase 3 trials showed unprecedented fat reduction.
Fun Fact
Retatrutide is called a 'triple G' agonist because it targets three different metabolic receptors at once.
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What It Is
A neurotransmitter-inhibitor peptide marketed as 'topical Botox.' It's proposed to interfere with SNARE-complex neurotransmitter release to soften expression lines.
Popularly Used For
Reducing forehead lines and crow's feet without injections. The most famous 'Botox alternative' peptide in skincare, though the science is still debated.
Fun Fact
Despite being called 'topical Botox,' the biggest challenge is that Argireline has to penetrate deep enough through intact skin to reach the neuromuscular junction — a feat the science hasn't fully proven.
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What It Is
The world's first dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. It hits two incretin receptors at once for enhanced metabolic effects. Sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Popularly Used For
Weight loss and type 2 diabetes. In trials, patients lost up to 22.5% of body weight — more than semaglutide.
Fun Fact
Tirzepatide carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumor risk based on rodent studies.
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What It Is
An immune-modulating peptide originally isolated from the thymus gland. It enhances T-cell function and immune surveillance.
Popularly Used For
Immune system support, hepatitis B/C treatment, and as an adjunct in cancer immunotherapy. Approved in some countries outside the US.
Fun Fact
Thymosin Alpha-1 is approved in over 35 countries for hepatitis B but still lacks FDA approval in the United States.
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What It Is
A synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist that stimulates melanin production in the skin. Also has effects on sexual arousal and appetite.
Popularly Used For
Tanning without sun exposure. Popular in the fitness and bodybuilding community, though it carries significant cardiovascular risks.
Fun Fact
Melanotan II was developed at the University of Arizona and led to the creation of PT-141 (bremelanotide) for sexual dysfunction.
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What It Is
An investigational combination of cagrilintide (an amylin analog) and semaglutide in a single injection by Novo Nordisk.
Popularly Used For
Enhanced weight loss beyond what semaglutide alone can achieve — combining two appetite-suppressing pathways.
Fun Fact
CagriSema targets both the GLP-1 and amylin pathways, essentially a 'double hit' on hunger signals.
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What It Is
A peptide-based post-procedure recovery regimen studied for reducing downtime after radiofrequency microneedling and other energy-based skin treatments.
Popularly Used For
Post-procedure healing. A 2025 split-face study showed it reduced edema, erythema, and purpura and improved early recovery after RF microneedling.
Fun Fact
Q-Peptide represents the growing trend of using peptides not for daily anti-aging, but specifically to speed up recovery after cosmetic procedures.
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What It Is
A proprietary peptide developed by OneSkin that targets cellular senescence — the accumulation of 'zombie cells' that stop dividing but keep damaging surrounding tissue.
Popularly Used For
Anti-aging eye care and skin longevity. A 2025 study showed improvements in hydration, firmness, elasticity, fine lines, and under-eye appearance after 12 weeks.
Fun Fact
OS-01 is one of the first cosmetic peptides specifically designed to target senescent cells — the same 'zombie cells' that longevity researchers are trying to eliminate with senolytic drugs.
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What It Is
A peptide that acts as the master switch for reproductive hormone release, triggering GnRH secretion from the hypothalamus.
Popularly Used For
Fertility research and treating hypogonadism. It's the upstream signal that kickstarts the entire reproductive hormone cascade.
Fun Fact
Kisspeptin was named after Hershey's Kisses chocolates because it was discovered in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
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What It Is
A naturally occurring peptide involved in tissue repair, wound healing, and cell migration. Found in high concentrations in wound fluid.
Popularly Used For
Injury recovery and wound healing. Popular among athletes for tendon and ligament repair, though not FDA-approved for these uses.
Fun Fact
Thymosin Beta-4 was originally isolated from the thymus gland, which is where the name comes from.
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What It Is
A GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics a gut hormone to regulate blood sugar and appetite. The blockbuster peptide drug behind Ozempic and Wegovy.
Popularly Used For
Weight loss and type 2 diabetes management. The most talked-about peptide in the world right now.
Fun Fact
Semaglutide was originally developed for diabetes but became a cultural phenomenon when celebrities started using it for weight loss.
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What It Is
A synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog with an extended half-life, designed to boost your body's own growth hormone production.
Popularly Used For
Muscle growth, fat loss, and anti-aging. Often stacked with Ipamorelin in compounded formulations.
Fun Fact
CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) binds to albumin in the blood, extending its half-life to about a week.
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What It Is
The original collagen-fragment signal peptide. KTTKS is a five-amino-acid sequence from Type I procollagen, palmitoylated for better skin penetration.
Popularly Used For
The foundation of the entire cosmetic peptide category. Its 93-person clinical trial remains one of the cleanest ingredient-specific data points in skincare science.
Fun Fact
Pal-KTTKS is the scientific name behind Matrixyl — the same peptide, just without the marketing name. It launched the entire cosmetic peptide industry.