Category
Recovery & healing
Peptides for tendon, ligament, muscle, gut and nerve healing. The most-discussed category in self-experimentation communities. BPC-157 and TB-500/Thymosin Beta-4 are the anchor compounds, usually run together and often stacked with GH secretagogues.
Category primer
Most of these work by amplifying the body's own wound-response signalling: angiogenesis, fibroblast activity, cytoskeleton rebuilding, local anti-inflammatory action. Nothing mechanically new. Evidence is overwhelmingly animal and in-vitro. BPC-157 has the deepest circumstantial human safety history, from unrelated ulcerative-colitis enema trials. TB-500's active ingredient (Tβ4) has the most direct human dosing safety data, via RegeneRx's drug-development program.
PEPTIDES in this category
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AHK-Cu
Topical copper tripeptide marketed for hair follicle stimulation, distinct from (and less studied than) GHK-Cu.
Cosmetic ingredient (topical, unregulated as drug) -
ARA-290
A non-hematopoietic EPO fragment developed for neuropathic pain and small-fiber nerve repair, without EPO's blood-thickening effects.
Investigational (trialed) -
BPC-157
A 15-amino-acid fragment of the gastric body-protection compound, the most widely self-administered healing peptide for tendon, ligament, muscle, and gut injuries.
Research chemical -
Bronchogen
Organ-targeted bioregulator from the Khavinson lineage, aimed at bronchial and respiratory tissue.
Approved in Russia -
Cartalax
Organ-targeted Khavinson peptide aimed at cartilage and joint tissue regeneration.
Approved in Russia; research compound -
Cerebrolysin
Porcine neuropeptide preparation with clinical use for stroke and dementia in non-US countries.
Approved in 40+ countries; not FDA-approved in US -
Chonluten
Organ-targeted peptide for bronchial and pulmonary tissue support.
Approved in Russia; research compound -
CJC-1295 with DAC
Long-acting GHRH analog with week-long half-life via albumin binding; distinct from daily-dosing CJC-1295.
Research compound -
GHK-Cu
A naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide found in human plasma. The best-studied skin peptide, also investigated for wound healing, hair and connective tissue.
Cosmetic (topical) / off-label injectable -
GHRP-2
Potent synthetic growth hormone secretagogue with strong GH stimulation and emerging research support for tissue repair.
Research compound -
GHRP-6
Potent GH secretagogue with distinctive strong appetite stimulation via ghrelin receptor mimicry.
Research compound -
Hexarelin
Potent dual-receptor GH secretagogue with cardioprotective properties, limited by rapid receptor desensitization.
Research compound -
KPV
A tiny 3-amino-acid fragment of alpha-MSH studied mainly for gut and skin inflammation, popular among self-experimenters with IBD-type symptoms.
Research chemical -
Livagen
Organ-targeted peptide bioregulator designed to support liver tissue repair and hepatic function.
Approved in Russia -
LL-37
Endogenous antimicrobial and immunomodulatory peptide with evidence for topical wound healing and emerging systemic applications.
FDA Category 1 bulk drug (compounding-pharmacy use only) -
Melanotan I
FDA- and EU-approved MC1R agonist for erythropoietic protoporphyria; regulated pharmaceutical with photoprotection benefits, distinct from unregulated MT-2.
FDA approved (2019, USA) -
MGF
Muscle-specific IGF-1 isoform generated by mechanical stress; promotes local muscle repair and satellite cell activation.
Research compound -
PTD-DBM
Preclinical peptide that blocks a Wnt-pathway inhibitor (CXXC5) in hair follicles, designed to restore hair regrowth through molecular disinhibition.
Research chemical -
Somatropin
FDA-approved recombinant growth hormone for deficiency, widely used off-label for performance and body composition.
FDA-approved (GHD treatment) -
SS-31
Mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that stabilizes cardiolipin and restores oxidative phosphorylation. FDA-approved for rare Barth syndrome, investigational in heart failure and aging-related conditions.
FDA Accelerated Approval (2025) for Barth Syndrome -
TB-500 / Thymosin Beta-4
A naturally occurring wound-response peptide released by platelets, used for muscle, tendon and neurological healing, often stacked with BPC-157.
Research chemical -
Teriparatide
FDA-approved PTH analog that stimulates bone formation. Used clinically for osteoporosis and investigationally for stress fractures and fracture healing.
FDA-approved for osteoporosis -
Thymalin
Thymic bioregulator from the Khavinson family with long-term human mortality follow-up and immune-modulating effects.
Approved in Russia and Eastern Europe -
VIP
Endogenous neuropeptide and vasodilator with immunomodulatory properties, used investigationally for mold-illness immune dysregulation and pulmonary hypertension.
FDA investigational (synthetic aviptadil had Fast Track status for COVID-19, not approved)
POPULAR stacks in this category
- BPC-157 + TB-500 — The default recovery stack: one systemic healer, one local one.
- CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin — A GHRH and a GHRP paired to push more GH out of the pituitary.
- BPC-157 + TB-500 + GHK-Cu — The base recovery stack plus a collagen-remodeling peptide.
- BPC-157 + TB-500 + GHK-Cu + KPV — The full recovery stack plus an anti-inflammatory tripeptide.