Evidence Base

We show you the science , including its limits.

Every peptide on Pepvela is rated by evidence tier. We cite the actual studies, explain what they do and don't prove, and never overstate what the research shows. Research-only, always.

100+ peer-reviewed studies referenced Evidence-tiered ratings on every peptide Limitations disclosed on every page

Where the research comes from.

All citations on Pepvela are sourced from established peer-reviewed databases and disclosed transparently. For educational purposes only.

PubMed / MEDLINE

The primary database for biomedical literature. All peptide citations on Pepvela are sourced from peer-reviewed journals indexed in PubMed unless otherwise noted.

ClinicalTrials.gov

We reference registered human clinical trials where available, including ongoing studies. Trial phase and status are always disclosed.

Peer-Reviewed Journals

Citations come from journals including Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Peptides, Aging, Frontiers in Endocrinology, and similar indexed publications.

Preclinical Research

Where human data is absent, we cite preclinical studies , always with explicit disclosure that findings have not been replicated in humans.

Current evidence ratings , all 53 peptides.

Each rating reflects the state of peer-reviewed published research as of our last content review. Ratings are updated as new literature emerges. For research purposes only , not a clinical recommendation of any kind.

Peptide Category Evidence Tier Primary Research Area Human Trials Notes
BPC-157 Recovery & Gut 🟠 Preliminary Tissue repair, gut healing, musculoskeletal No (preclinical studies primarily) Robust rodent data; no large human RCTs published
TB-500 Recovery 🟠 Preliminary Wound healing, angiogenesis, inflammation No (preclinical studies primarily) Thymosin Beta-4 analog; strong preclinical data
Ipamorelin Growth Hormone 🟡 Moderate GH secretion, body composition, recovery Yes (limited) Selective GHRP; human GH secretion studies available
CJC-1295 Growth Hormone 🟡 Moderate GH/IGF-1 axis stimulation Yes (limited) Often studied in combination with Ipamorelin
Sermorelin Growth Hormone 🟢 Strong GH deficiency, body composition Yes (multiple) FDA-approved history for GH deficiency in children
NAD+ Longevity & Metabolism 🟡 Moderate Cellular energy, DNA repair, aging Yes (growing) NMN/NR precursor studies; direct NAD+ IV data growing
Epithalon Longevity ⚪ Mechanism Only Telomerase activation, aging Minimal Primarily Russian research; limited Western peer-reviewed RCTs
Thymosin Alpha-1 Immune 🟡 Moderate Immune modulation, antiviral Yes (multiple) Approved in some countries; studied in cancer and viral illness
Semaglutide Metabolic 🟢 Strong Weight management, glycemic control, cardiovascular Yes (large-scale RCTs) FDA approved; SUSTAIN and STEP trial series
Tirzepatide Metabolic 🟢 Strong Weight loss, blood sugar, dual GIP/GLP-1 agonism Yes (large-scale RCTs) FDA approved; SURPASS and SURMOUNT trial series
Retatrutide Metabolic 🟡 Moderate Triple agonist weight loss (GIP/GLP-1/Glucagon) Yes (Phase 2) Phase 2 trials showing significant weight reduction; not yet FDA approved
Tesamorelin Growth Hormone 🟢 Strong GH deficiency, HIV-associated lipodystrophy Yes (multiple) FDA approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy; GHRH analog
PT-141 Sexual Health 🟢 Strong Female sexual arousal disorder, libido Yes (multiple) FDA approved (Vyleesi) for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women
Gonadorelin Hormonal 🟢 Strong Pulsatile GnRH secretion, testosterone, fertility Yes (multiple) FDA approved; used in fertility protocols and testosterone support
Oxytocin Hormonal 🟢 Strong Labor induction, social bonding, pain modulation Yes (extensive) FDA approved; long clinical history across multiple applications
HCG Hormonal 🟢 Strong Testosterone support, fertility, LH mimicry Yes (multiple) FDA approved for specific indications; widely used in TRT support protocols
Liraglutide Metabolic 🟢 Strong Weight management, glycemic control, cardiovascular Yes (large-scale RCTs) FDA approved (Victoza, Saxenda); GLP-1 receptor agonist with SCALE trial data
GHRP-6 Growth Hormone 🟡 Moderate GH secretion, appetite stimulation, body composition Yes (limited) Increases cortisol and prolactin more than selective GHRPs
GHRP-2 Growth Hormone 🟡 Moderate GH secretion, body composition, recovery Yes (limited) Potent GHRP; some cortisol elevation noted in human studies
IGF-1 LR3 Growth Hormone 🟡 Moderate Muscle growth, cell proliferation, tissue repair Limited Long-acting IGF-1 analog; primarily preclinical and research use
GHK-Cu Skin & Aging 🟡 Moderate Wound healing, skin regeneration, anti-aging Yes (limited) Copper tripeptide; studied for skin and connective tissue repair
VIP Immune 🟡 Moderate Immune modulation, neuroprotection, GI function Yes (limited) Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; studied in inflammatory and autoimmune conditions
Thymalin Immune 🟡 Moderate Immune modulation, aging, thymic function Yes (limited) Thymic peptide fraction; primarily Eastern European research base
Kisspeptin-10 Hormonal 🟡 Moderate GnRH pulsatility, reproductive hormone axis Yes (limited) Studied in hypogonadism and fertility; also researched for sexual function
Cagrilintide Metabolic 🟡 Moderate Weight loss, glycemic control (amylin analog) Yes (Phase 2/3) Amylin analog; Phase 3 trials ongoing in combination with semaglutide
Survodutide Metabolic 🟡 Moderate Weight management, metabolic health Yes (Phase 2) Dual GLP-1/glucagon agonist; Phase 2 data showing significant weight reduction
Mazdutide Metabolic 🟡 Moderate Weight loss, glycemic control Yes (Phase 2/3) GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist; active Phase 3 clinical trial program
Glutathione Longevity 🟡 Moderate Antioxidant defense, detoxification, immune support Yes (multiple) Master antioxidant; IV and intranasal routes studied; established safety profile
Cerebrolysin Cognitive 🟡 Moderate Neuroprotection, cognitive recovery, stroke Yes (multiple) Approved in some countries; primarily studied in stroke recovery and neurodegeneration
PEG-MGF Recovery 🟡 Moderate Muscle repair, satellite cell activation, tissue regeneration Limited PEGylated Mechano Growth Factor; preclinical data on muscle satellite cell activation
AHK-Cu Skin & Aging 🟡 Moderate Hair growth, skin regeneration, follicle stimulation Limited Copper tripeptide; studied for hair follicle stimulation and scalp repair
AOD-9604 Weight Management 🟠 Preliminary Fat metabolism, lipolysis, weight loss Limited (Phase 2) C-terminal fragment of HGH; Phase 2 trials completed; FDA GRAS status for food use
Hexarelin Growth Hormone 🟠 Preliminary GH secretion, cardioprotection Limited Potent GHRP; cardioprotective effects noted in preclinical data
HGH Fragment 176-191 Metabolic 🟠 Preliminary Fat loss, lipolysis Minimal C-terminal HGH fragment; no anabolic activity; primarily preclinical lipolysis data
Selank Cognition 🟠 Preliminary Anxiety, cognition, immune modulation Limited (primarily Russian) Heptapeptide developed in Russia; limited Western peer-reviewed RCTs
Semax Cognition 🟠 Preliminary Neuroprotection, cognition, BDNF upregulation Limited (primarily Russian) ACTH-derived peptide; approved in Russia; limited Western peer-reviewed data
LL-37 Immune 🟠 Preliminary Antimicrobial defense, wound healing, immune activation Limited Human cathelicidin; primarily in vitro and preclinical data
KPV Immune 🟠 Preliminary Anti-inflammatory, gut healing Minimal Alpha-MSH derived tripeptide; preclinical anti-inflammatory and gut data
MOTS-c Longevity 🟠 Preliminary Metabolic regulation, mitochondrial function, aging Minimal Mitochondrial-derived peptide; early human observational data emerging
Humanin Longevity 🟠 Preliminary Neuroprotection, metabolic protection, aging Minimal Mitochondrial-derived peptide; associations observed in human aging studies
5-Amino-1MQ Longevity 🟠 Preliminary NNMT inhibition, fat loss, metabolic health Minimal Small molecule NNMT inhibitor; primarily preclinical metabolic data
Pinealon Longevity 🟠 Preliminary Neuroprotection, sleep, aging Limited (primarily Russian) Short peptide targeting pineal function; primarily Eastern European research base
ACE-031 Recovery 🟠 Preliminary Muscle mass, myostatin inhibition Limited (Phase 1/2) Activin IIB receptor fusion protein; Phase 2 trials discontinued due to side effects

Evidence ratings are reviewed quarterly. Last reviewed: Q2 2026. All content for research and educational purposes only.

How to read the citations on Pepvela.

Every claim on a peptide page is tied to a source. Here is how to use that information. For educational purposes only.

1

Find the citation

Every claim on a peptide page links to or cites the source study. Look for the footnote or inline citation. Citations use standard author–year–journal format referencing PubMed-indexed sources unless otherwise noted.

2

Check the evidence tier

The badge at the top of each peptide page tells you the overall tier. Individual claims may draw from studies of varying quality , we disclose this inline. A page rated Moderate may contain individual citations that are Preliminary.

3

Read the limitation note

Every peptide page includes a limitations section. If findings are from preclinical studies only, we say so explicitly. If sample sizes are small, we say so. If research has not been independently replicated, we say so. Transparency about limits is the standard, not the exception.

What this evidence base does not mean.

Evidence ratings reflect the state of published scientific literature. They are not endorsements, guarantees, or clinical guidance of any kind.

Evidence is not a recommendation

A strong evidence rating means research exists. It does not mean Pepvela endorses this peptide for any individual. Individual circumstances, health history, and clinical context determine appropriateness , and that determination belongs to a licensed healthcare provider.

Research is not approval

FDA approval status is noted where applicable. Most peptides on this platform are not FDA-approved for the research applications discussed. Absence of FDA approval does not imply illegality, nor does approval imply safety for all uses. Consult a licensed provider.

Animal data is not human data

Where human trials are absent, we cite preclinical studies. These findings may not translate to humans , and in many cases they have not been tested in humans at all. We always disclose this. Preclinical data informs research direction, not clinical decisions.

Citations are not prescriptions

Nothing on this page or any Pepvela page constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The presence of a citation does not imply that any action is appropriate for you specifically. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before making any health decisions.

For educational and research purposes only. Not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before making any health decisions.