Small biological messages
Peptides are small chains made from amino acids. In simple terms, many peptides act like tiny messages that help cells and body systems communicate.
Amino-acid chains
Scientifically, peptides are short amino-acid chains joined by peptide bonds. Depending on length, shape and receptor activity, they may function as hormones, signalling molecules, enzyme modulators, immune messengers or therapeutic agents.
Not all peptides are the same
Some peptides are approved prescription medicines, some are cosmetic ingredients, some are laboratory research compounds, and some are investigational compounds with no general consumer approval.
Core PepShop principle
Quality, verification and responsible research
PepShop separates education, verified supplier listing, product transparency and research participation. Every peptide or peptide-related compound must be viewed according to its intended use, quality documentation, regulatory status, research basis and safety standards.
Photographs and future video library
Featured peptide examples
These image cards use the current X-Labs launch photography. Each card has space reserved for future YouTube education videos or supplier-specific research media.
RetatrutideMetabolic research peptide categoryVideo slot ready
TirzepatideDual incretin peptide categoryVideo slot ready
GHK-CuCopper peptide / skin researchVideo slot ready
BPC-157Tissue repair research categoryVideo slot ready
MOTS-cMitochondrial research peptideVideo slot ready
Peptide categories
How the peptide market is commonly grouped
Includes GLP-1, GIP, glucagon and amylin pathway compounds studied or used around appetite, glucose, weight and metabolic disease.
Includes GHRH analogues and secretagogues studied around GH signalling, recovery, sleep and body-composition pathways.
Includes BPC-157, TB-500, thymosin-related peptides and other repair-pathway research compounds.
Includes GHK-Cu, Argireline, Matrixyl and other peptides used mainly in topical cosmetic or skin-related contexts.
Includes MOTS-c, Humanin, SS-31 and other research compounds linked to energy, ageing and cellular resilience.
Includes Semax, Selank, DSIP, Dihexa and peptide mixtures studied around brain, sleep and stress pathways.
Includes insulin, glucagon, oxytocin, GnRH analogues, bone peptides and other prescription peptide medicines.
Master peptide table
Commonly known peptides and peptide-related compounds
This table is intentionally broad. It includes pharmaceutical peptide medicines, cosmetic peptides, research compounds and peptide-related market categories. It should be expanded and refined as PepShop adds verified laboratories, research programs and supplier-specific documentation.
| Peptide / compound | Main category | Scientific description | Layman’s description | Common research / market interest | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metabolic / triple agonist | GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist research compound. | Next-generation metabolic peptide studied around appetite, weight and glucose pathways. | Obesity, metabolic health, appetite research. | Investigational / research status varies by jurisdiction. | |
| Metabolic / dual agonist | Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. | A peptide medicine class that can influence appetite, satiety and glucose control. | Weight management, type 2 diabetes, metabolic research. | Approved prescription forms exist in some markets; unapproved versions require caution. | |
| Metabolic / GLP-1 | GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide analogue. | A well-known peptide medicine class for appetite and glucose regulation. | Weight management, type 2 diabetes. | Approved prescription forms exist in many markets. | |
| Metabolic / GLP-1 | GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide analogue. | An earlier GLP-1 class peptide used in metabolic medicine. | Diabetes, obesity, appetite control. | Prescription medicine in approved formulations. | |
| Metabolic / GLP-1 | GLP-1 receptor agonist based on exendin-4. | One of the earlier GLP-1 peptide medicines. | Glucose control and diabetes medicine. | Prescription medicine in approved formulations. | |
| Metabolic / amylin analogue | Long-acting amylin analogue studied for satiety pathways. | A peptide-like compound studied for appetite control and fullness. | Weight-management research and combination therapies. | Regulatory status depends on jurisdiction. | |
| Metabolic / dual agonist | GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist. | A metabolic peptide studied for body weight and glucose pathways. | Obesity and metabolic-disease research. | Research / approval status varies by country. | |
| Metabolic / dual agonist | GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist. | A peptide studied for appetite, energy and liver-metabolic pathways. | Obesity, fatty liver and metabolic research. | Research / approval status varies by country. | |
| Body composition research | Modified fragment of human growth hormone investigated around lipid metabolism. | A peptide often discussed in fat-metabolism research. | Body composition and lipolysis research. | Evidence and regulatory status vary; not the same as approved GLP-1 medicines. | |
| Body composition research | Fragment of the human growth hormone molecule. | A small section of growth hormone studied in body-composition research. | Fat metabolism and metabolic research. | Research-only in many markets. | |
| Growth hormone axis | GHRH analogue that stimulates endogenous growth hormone release. | A peptide that tells the body to release more growth hormone. | Visceral fat and GH-axis research. | Approved for specific indications in some markets. | |
| Growth hormone axis | GHRH analogue used to stimulate pituitary GH release. | A growth-hormone signalling peptide. | GH-axis, recovery and wellness research. | Regulatory status varies. | |
| Growth hormone axis | Synthetic GHRH analogue, with or without DAC modification. | A longer-acting growth-hormone signalling research peptide. | GH release, recovery and body composition research. | Research-market status varies. | |
| Growth hormone secretagogue | Ghrelin receptor / growth hormone secretagogue peptide. | A peptide studied for stimulating natural GH pulses. | Recovery, sleep and GH-axis research. | Research-only in many markets. | |
| Growth hormone secretagogue | Growth-hormone releasing peptide. | A peptide that signals growth hormone release. | GH-axis and body composition research. | Can affect appetite and endocrine pathways. | |
| Growth hormone secretagogue | Growth-hormone releasing peptide associated with appetite signalling. | A GH-signalling peptide often linked to increased appetite. | GH-axis, appetite and recovery research. | Research-only in many markets. | |
| Growth hormone secretagogue | Potent synthetic GH secretagogue. | A stronger GH-signalling peptide used in research contexts. | GH-axis and performance research. | Requires caution due to hormonal effects. | |
| Tissue repair research | Synthetic peptide sequence associated with body protection compound research. | A popular repair-related peptide discussed for gut, tendon and tissue studies. | Tendon, ligament, muscle, gut and inflammation research. | Not an approved general medicine in many jurisdictions. | |
| Tissue repair research | Synthetic fragment related to thymosin beta-4. | A peptide studied around tissue repair, flexibility and recovery pathways. | Muscle, tendon and wound-healing research. | Research-only in many markets. | |
| Tissue repair / immune | Naturally occurring actin-binding peptide involved in tissue repair pathways. | A natural repair-signalling peptide. | Wound healing, inflammation and tissue repair. | Clinical / research status varies. | |
| Skin / copper peptide | Copper-binding tripeptide involved in extracellular matrix and skin signalling. | A copper peptide known in skin, beauty and repair research. | Skin quality, collagen, hair and wound repair. | Topical cosmetic use differs from injectable/research use. | |
| Anti-inflammatory research | Short peptide sequence derived from alpha-MSH. | A small peptide studied around inflammation and gut health. | Inflammatory, gut and immune research. | Research-only in many markets. | |
| Immune / antimicrobial | Human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide. | A natural immune-defence peptide. | Antimicrobial, immune and wound research. | Requires careful handling; not a general wellness product. | |
| Immune modulation | Peptide linked to T-cell and immune signalling. | An immune-support peptide used in medical and research contexts. | Immune function, viral and immune research. | Approved in some markets for specific uses; status varies. | |
| Immune / thymic research | Thymus-derived peptide hormone. | A peptide linked to immune-system regulation. | Immune and endocrine research. | Research / regulatory status varies. | |
| Mitochondrial / metabolic | Mitochondrial-derived peptide linked to metabolic signalling. | A mitochondrial signalling peptide studied around energy and metabolism. | Longevity, metabolism, exercise and mitochondrial research. | Research-only in many markets. | |
| Mitochondrial / longevity | Mitochondrial-derived peptide studied in cell-protection pathways. | A cell-protection peptide studied in ageing research. | Ageing, neuroprotection and metabolic research. | Research-stage compound. | |
| Mitochondrial medicine | Mitochondria-targeted peptide. | A peptide designed to support mitochondrial function in disease research. | Mitochondrial disease, cardiac and muscle research. | Development / approval status depends on indication and country. | |
| Longevity research | Synthetic tetrapeptide associated with pineal and telomere research. | A popular longevity research peptide. | Ageing, sleep, circadian and telomere research. | Research-only in many markets. | |
| Senescence research | Cell-penetrating peptide designed around FOXO4-p53 interaction research. | A highly experimental ageing and senescent-cell research peptide. | Ageing and senolytic research. | Early-stage research; not a consumer treatment. | |
| Neuro / cognitive research | Synthetic ACTH-related peptide analogue. | A brain and focus research peptide. | Cognition, neuroprotection and stress research. | Regulatory status varies by country. | |
| Neuro / anxiety research | Synthetic analogue related to tuftsin. | A calming or stress-related research peptide. | Anxiety, stress, cognition and immune-neuro research. | Regulatory status varies by country. | |
| Sleep research | Delta sleep-inducing peptide. | A peptide studied around sleep regulation. | Sleep, stress and neuroendocrine research. | Research-only in many markets. | |
| Neuro / cognitive research | Angiotensin IV-derived peptide analogue studied in neuroplasticity. | A highly experimental cognitive research peptide. | Memory, neuroplasticity and neurodegeneration research. | Research-stage; not an approved consumer product. | |
| Neuro / ageing research | Short peptide complex studied in neuroendocrine ageing research. | A peptide marketed around brain and ageing research. | Cognition, ageing and neuroprotection research. | Evidence and regulatory status vary. | |
| Neuro peptide mixture | Mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides and amino acids. | A peptide mixture studied for neurological recovery contexts. | Stroke, brain injury and neurodegenerative research. | Medical use varies by country. | |
| Hormonal / social bonding | Peptide hormone involved in uterine contraction, lactation and social behaviour pathways. | The “bonding hormone” peptide. | Labour medicine, lactation, social behaviour and mood research. | Approved forms exist for specific medical uses. | |
| Hormonal / water balance | Peptide hormones affecting water balance and blood vessels. | Peptides involved in hydration and fluid regulation. | Diabetes insipidus, bleeding disorders and water balance. | Prescription medicines in approved forms. | |
| Sexual health | Melanocortin receptor agonist. | A peptide studied for sexual-arousal pathways. | Sexual health research and approved indications in some markets. | Approved status varies by jurisdiction. | |
| Reproductive hormone research | Peptide that stimulates GnRH signalling. | A fertility-hormone signalling peptide. | Fertility, puberty and reproductive hormone research. | Research / clinical status varies. | |
| Reproductive hormone | Gonadotropin-releasing hormone peptide. | A master signal for reproductive hormone release. | Fertility, endocrine testing and hormone research. | Approved uses exist in specific medical contexts. | |
| Pigmentation / dermatology | Alpha-MSH analogue affecting melanocortin receptors. | A peptide linked to pigmentation pathways. | Photoprotection and pigmentation research. | Approved use exists for rare conditions in some markets. | |
| Pigmentation / melanocortin | Synthetic melanocortin peptide analogue. | A tanning-related research peptide also linked to sexual-response pathways. | Pigmentation and melanocortin research. | Unapproved tanning use can be risky. | |
| Cosmetic peptide | Short synthetic peptide used in topical cosmetics. | A beauty peptide marketed around expression-line appearance. | Cosmetic skincare. | Topical cosmetic ingredient, not injectable therapy. | |
| Cosmetic peptide | Palmitoylated peptide used in skincare formulations. | A skin-care peptide marketed around ageing and collagen appearance. | Topical anti-ageing skincare. | Cosmetic use differs from medical claims. | |
| Cosmetic peptide | Acetyl octapeptide used in topical cosmetic products. | A beauty peptide marketed for wrinkle appearance. | Cosmetic skincare. | Topical cosmetic ingredient. | |
| Dipeptide / antioxidant research | Dipeptide made from beta-alanine and histidine. | A natural small peptide studied around ageing and antioxidant effects. | Skin, ageing, metabolic and supplement research. | Often supplement/cosmetic; claims must be controlled. | |
| Approved peptide hormone | Peptide hormone regulating blood glucose. | The essential blood-sugar hormone. | Diabetes medicine. | Prescription medicine. | |
| Approved peptide hormone | Peptide hormone that raises blood glucose. | A rescue hormone for low blood sugar. | Hypoglycaemia treatment. | Prescription medicine. | |
| Approved amylin analogue | Synthetic analogue of amylin. | A peptide medicine used with diabetes care. | Diabetes and appetite / glucose regulation. | Prescription medicine. | |
| Approved peptide hormone | Peptide hormone involved in calcium regulation. | A hormone peptide linked to bone and calcium balance. | Bone and calcium-related medicine. | Prescription medicine in approved forms. | |
| Approved bone peptide | Parathyroid hormone fragment. | A bone-building peptide medicine. | Osteoporosis treatment. | Prescription medicine. | |
| Approved bone peptide | PTH-related peptide analogue. | A bone-density peptide medicine. | Osteoporosis treatment. | Prescription medicine. | |
| Approved somatostatin analogue | Somatostatin peptide analogue. | A peptide medicine that slows certain hormone secretions. | Acromegaly, neuroendocrine tumours and endocrine disorders. | Prescription medicine. | |
| Approved somatostatin analogue | Long-acting somatostatin analogue. | Similar class to octreotide. | Acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumour medicine. | Prescription medicine. | |
| Approved GnRH analogue | GnRH agonist. | A hormone-control peptide medicine. | Prostate cancer, endometriosis and fertility protocols. | Prescription medicine. | |
| Approved GnRH analogue | GnRH agonist. | A hormone-suppression peptide medicine. | Oncology and endocrine medicine. | Prescription medicine. | |
| Approved GnRH analogue | GnRH agonist. | A hormone pathway control peptide. | Fertility, oncology and endocrine medicine. | Prescription medicine. | |
| Approved GnRH antagonist | GnRH receptor antagonist. | A peptide medicine that blocks certain reproductive hormone signals. | Prostate cancer. | Prescription medicine. | |
| Approved anticoagulant peptide | Direct thrombin inhibitor peptide. | A blood-thinning peptide medicine. | Hospital anticoagulation. | Prescription / hospital medicine. | |
| Approved antiplatelet peptide | Cyclic heptapeptide platelet inhibitor. | A peptide medicine used in heart-related clot prevention. | Acute coronary care. | Hospital medicine. | |
| Approved antiviral peptide | HIV fusion inhibitor peptide. | A peptide that blocks HIV entry into cells. | HIV treatment. | Prescription medicine. | |
| Approved pain peptide | Synthetic cone-snail peptide blocking calcium channels. | A powerful specialist peptide pain medicine. | Severe chronic pain. | Specialist prescription medicine. | |
| Approved GLP-2 analogue | GLP-2 peptide analogue. | A gut-support peptide medicine. | Short bowel syndrome. | Prescription medicine. | |
| Approved melanocortin agonist | MC4 receptor agonist peptide. | A specialist peptide for rare genetic obesity conditions. | Rare obesity syndromes. | Prescription medicine. | |
Non-peptide | Nucleotide-derived coenzyme / cellular energy | NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a nucleotide-derived coenzyme involved in cellular redox reactions and energy metabolism. | Not a peptide. It is a cellular coenzyme associated with mitochondrial function, cellular energy and healthy-ageing support categories. | Cellular energy, metabolic health, mitochondrial support and longevity / wellness market interest. | Listed separately from peptides. Product use should follow RealFit product guidance, legal status and qualified professional advice. |