Written by: FitScience Editorial Team
Medically Reviewed by:Dr. Shalender Bhasin, MD | Endocrinologist Last Updated: March 27, 2026
Clinical Disclaimer: FitScience.co provides this information strictly for educational, clinical reference, and harm-reduction purposes. Many of the peptides listed below are investigational research chemicals and are not approved by the FDA for human consumption without a prescription. We do not condone or endorse the use of unapproved substances. Always consult a licensed physician before utilizing peptide therapy.
Executive Summary: Key Takeaways
- Best for Tissue & Tendon Repair: A combination protocol of BPC-157 (local angiogenesis) and TB-500 (cellular up-regulation and actin building).
- Most Effective for GH Secretion (No Suppression): The synergistic blend of Ipamorelin (GHRP) and CJC-1295 without DAC (GHRH), which mimics the body’s natural pulsatile growth hormone release without elevating cortisol or prolactin.
- FDA-Approved for Visceral Fat: Tesamorelin is currently the most potent growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) for specifically targeting and reducing visceral adipose tissue (VAT).
- Half-Life Variance: Peptide half-lives dictate injection frequency. Mod GRF 1-29 has a half-life of 30 minutes (requiring multiple daily doses), whereas CJC-1295 with DAC has a half-life of 8 days.
The Master Peptides List & Associated Compounds Clinical Data Table
| Peptide | Category | Half-Life | Dose (mcg/day) | Goal | Muscle Gain | Fat Loss | Admin | Notes |
| Epitalon | Anti-Aging | ~2–3 h | 5–10 mg/use | Longevity | None | None | Injectable | Regulates telomerase activity, may increase lifespan. |
| GHK-Cu Acetate | Anti-Aging | ~30 min | 1–3 mg/day | Tissue Repair | Low | None | Topical/Injectable | Copper peptide variant, promotes collagen and wound healing. |
| TIMP-1 | Anti-Aging | ~30 min | 50–100 | Cell Regeneration | Low | None | Injectable | Inhibitor of metalloproteinases, potential skin benefits. |
| AMG 786 | Experimental | Unknown | N/A | Muscle Growth | High | Unknown | Injectable | Experimental anabolic agent, under investigation. |
| 5-Amino-1MQ | Fat Loss | ~12–24 h | 50–150 mg/day | Fat Loss | None | High | Oral | Reduces fat cell size, supports metabolism, oral use. |
| AOD-9604 | Fat Loss | ~4–6 h | 300–500 | Fat Loss | None | High | Injectable | Fragment of HGH, targets lipolysis specifically. |
| GH Fragment 176-191 | Fat Loss | ~2–3 h | 250–500 | Fat Loss | None | High | Injectable | Selective fat-burning fragment of HGH. |
| Tesofensine | Fat Loss | ~24 h | 0.25–1 mg/day | Fat Loss | None | High | Oral | CNS appetite suppressant, under research for obesity. |
| SR9009 | Fat Loss / Endurance | ~2 h | 20–30 mg/day | Fat Loss | Low | High | Oral | REV-ERB agonist, improves metabolic rate and endurance. |
| SR9011 | Fat Loss / Endurance | ~2 h | 20–40 mg/day | Fat Loss | Low | High | Oral | REV-ERB agonist, similar to SR9009, enhances stamina. |
| Liraglutide | Fat Loss / Metabolic | ~13 h | 0.6–3 mg/day | Fat Loss | None | High | Injectable | GLP-1 agonist for weight loss, slower acting than semaglutide. |
| Semaglutide | Fat Loss / Metabolic | ~7 days | 0.25–2.4 mg/week | Fat Loss | None | High | Injectable | GLP-1 agonist used in obesity treatment. |
| Tirzepatide | Fat Loss / Metabolic | ~5 days | 2.5–15 mg/week | Fat Loss | None | Very High | Injectable | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist, exceptional for weight loss. |
| MK-677 (Ibutamoren) | GH Secretagogue | ~24 h | 10–25 mg/day | Muscle / Fat Loss | Moderate | Moderate | Oral | Stimulates GH/IGF-1, appetite increase, no desensitization. |
| CJC-1293 | GHRH | ~30 min | 100–200 | GH Release | Moderate | Moderate | Injectable | Short-acting GHRH variant, boosts GH pulse. |
| CJC-1295 (no DAC) | GHRH | ~30 min | 100–300 | GH Release | Moderate | Moderate | Injectable | Used in multiple daily injections or with GHRPs. |
| CJC-1295 DAC | GHRH | ~8 days | 1000–2000 mcg/wk | GH Release | Moderate | Moderate | Injectable | Long-acting GHRH analog, synergistic with GHRPs. |
| GHRH (1-29) | GHRH | ~10–20 min | 100–300 | GH Release | Low | Low | Injectable | Original sequence for GH-releasing hormone. |
| Tesamorelin | GHRH | ~2 h | 2 mg/day | Fat Loss | Mild | High | Injectable | FDA approved for visceral fat loss in HIV patients. |
| GHRP-2 | GHRP | ~15–30 min | 100–300 | GH Release | Mild | Moderate | Injectable | Increases GH significantly, can raise prolactin/cortisol. |
| GHRP-6 | GHRP | ~30 min | 100–300 | GH Release / Appetite | Mild | Low | Injectable | Strong appetite stimulant, often used during bulking. |
| Hexarelin | GHRP | ~1 h | 100–300 | GH Release | Moderate | Moderate | Injectable | Potent GH release, causes desensitization with prolonged use. |
| Ipamorelin | GHRP | ~2 h | 200–600 | GH Release | Mild | Moderate | Injectable | Ghrelin mimetic, no prolactin/cortisol spikes, safe long-term. |
| IGF-1 DES | Growth Factor | ~20–30 min | 20–100 | Muscle Growth | High | Low | Injectable | Short-acting IGF-1 variant, ideal for targeted muscle injections. |
| IGF-1 LR3 | Growth Factor | ~20–30 h | 20–100 | Muscle Growth | High | Low | Injectable | Highly anabolic, used post-workout, promotes hyperplasia. |
| IGF-2 | Growth Factor | ~30 min | 20–100 | Muscle Growth | High | Low | Injectable | Less studied than IGF-1, but anabolic. |
| MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) | Growth Factor | ~5–7 min | 200–400 | Muscle Growth | Moderate | Low | Injectable | Must be injected immediately post-training. |
| PEG-MGF | Growth Factor | ~48–72 h | 200–400 | Muscle Growth | Moderate | Low | Injectable | Post-workout use, promotes localized growth. |
| BPC-157 | Healing | Unknown | 250–500 | Recovery | Indirect | None | Injectable | Speeds up healing of muscles, tendons, gut. |
| BPC-157 Oral | Healing | Unknown | 500–1000 | Gut Recovery | Indirect | None | Oral | Supports gut lining repair and anti-inflammatory response. |
| TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4) | Healing | ~2–3 days | 2–5 mg/week | Recovery | Indirect | None | Injectable | Promotes healing and angiogenesis, often stacked with BPC-157. |
| B7-33 | Healing | ~6 h | 50–200 | Recovery | None | None | Injectable | Anti-fibrotic peptide derived from relaxin hormone. |
| GHK-Cu | Healing / Anti-aging | ~30 min | 1–5 mg/day | Recovery | Low | None | Topical/Injectable | Copper peptide for skin, hair, wound healing. |
| Thymosin Beta-10 | Healing | ~2 h | 100–300 | Recovery | None | None | Injectable | Similar to TB-500, role in tissue growth and cell repair. |
| Buserelin | Hormonal / HPTA | ~1–3 h | 50–200 | HPTA Support | Low | None | Injectable | Synthetic GnRH analog; regulates testosterone indirectly. |
| Gonadorelin | Hormonal / HPTA | ~2–10 min | 50–100 | HPTA Support | Low | None | Injectable | Stimulates LH/FSH, used in TRT restart protocols. |
| Kisspeptin-10 | Hormonal / HPTA | ~30 min | 50–100 | HPTA Support | Low | None | Injectable | May restore testosterone by stimulating LH/FSH. |
| HGH (Somatropin) | Hormone | ~3–4 h | 2–6 IU/day | Muscle / Fat Loss | Moderate | High | Injectable | Endogenous hormone, long-term use improves lean mass and fat loss. |
| Thymosin Alpha-1 | Immune | ~2 h | 500–1000 | Immune Support | None | None | Injectable | Enhances immune function, used in viral therapy. |
| Thymalin | Immune / Recovery | ~30 min | 5–10 mg/day | Recovery | None | None | Injectable | Regulates immune system, thymus health, tissue repair. |
| MotS-c | Mitochondrial | ~2–3 h | 5–10 mg/week | Fat Loss / Longevity | Low | Moderate | Injectable | Regulates metabolism, mitochondrial function, longevity research. |
| Follistatin 344 | Myostatin Inhibitor | ~2 days | 100–300 | Muscle Growth | High | Low | Injectable | Blocks myostatin, experimental, not well studied in humans. |
| YK-11 | Myostatin Inhibitor | ~6–8 h | 5–10 mg/day | Muscle Growth | High | Low | Oral | SARM/myostatin hybrid, strong anabolic, limited studies. |
| Selank | Nootropic | ~2–3 h | 200–500 | Mood / Recovery | None | None | Nasal | Reduces stress and improves recovery indirectly. |
| DSIP | Recovery / Sleep | ~2 h | 100–300 | Sleep / Recovery | Indirect | None | Injectable | Delta sleep-inducing peptide, supports deep recovery. |
| Laminin-511 | Regeneration | Unknown | Variable | Tissue Repair | Low | None | Injectable | Tissue matrix protein under regenerative research. |
| GDF-11 | Regenerative | ~30 min | 10–50 | Recovery | Moderate | Low | Injectable | Potential anti-aging and neurogenesis peptide. |
| RAD140 | SARM | ~16–20 h | 10–20 mg/day | Muscle Growth | High | Moderate | Oral | Technically a SARM, often grouped with peptides. |
| PT-141 (Bremelanotide) | Sexual Health | ~2.5 h | 0.5–2 mg/use | Libido | None | None | Injectable/Nasal | Sexual function enhancement, acts via CNS. |
| Melanotan II | Tanning / Libido | ~1–2 h | 5–10 mg/week | Tanning | None | None | Injectable | Stimulates melanin production and libido. |
Clinical Breakdowns and Dosage Profiles
BPC-157 vs. TB-500: Which is Better for Injury Repair?
BPC-157 and TB-500 operate through entirely different biological mechanisms; therefore, they are most effective when used synergistically rather than competitively.
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound), derived from human gastric juice, dramatically accelerates angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels). It is highly effective for localized injuries, such as tendon tears, ligament damage, and gut permeability issues. TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4) is an actin-binding protein that acts systemically. It travels through the bloodstream to locate areas of inflammation, promoting cellular migration and flexibility. Because of its long half-life, it is typically administered only once or twice a week.
Why Combine Ipamorelin with CJC-1295?
Ipamorelin is a Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide (GHRP) that triggers a pulse of GH, while CJC-1295 is a Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) that amplifies that pulse. Combining them creates a synergistic effect that releases up to 10 times more endogenous growth hormone than either peptide alone.
Clinicians favor Ipamorelin over older GHRPs (like GHRP-6) because it is highly selective. It does not drastically spike cortisol or prolactin, nor does it induce the intense gastric hunger commonly associated with other secretagogues. When paired with CJC-1295 (No DAC), it perfectly mimics the body’s natural pulsatile GH rhythm.
Does Tesamorelin Burn Fat?
Yes, Tesamorelin is currently the most effective peptide for fat loss. It is an FDA-approved drug (under the brand name Egrifta) specifically formulated to reduce excessive visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in HIV-lipodystrophy patients.
Unlike standard exogenous HGH, which can cause insulin resistance, Tesamorelin specifically cleaves visceral fat by inducing a massive release of natural growth hormone while maintaining healthy lipid profiles. Research dosages typically run between 1mg and 2mg daily, administered subcutaneously prior to fasted cardiovascular exercise or before bed.
Does CJC-1295 with DAC cause “GH Bleed”?
Yes. The addition of DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) extends the half-life of CJC-1295 from 30 minutes to approximately 8 days. This causes a continuous, sustained elevation of growth hormone levels—often referred to as “GH bleed.”
While this is highly anabolic and convenient (requiring only one injection per week), it disrupts the human body’s natural pulsatile rhythm. Long-term use of CJC-1295 with DAC can lead to pituitary desensitization and potential insulin resistance, which is why most anti-aging clinics prefer the “No DAC” version (Mod GRF 1-29).
Clinical References & Outbound Sources
- Sikiric, P., et al. (2014). Toxicity by NSAIDs. Counteraction by amlodipine, BPC 157, and L-arginine. Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology.
- Raun, K., et al. (1998). Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. European Journal of Endocrinology.
- Falutz, J., et al. (2010). Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV. The New England Journal of Medicine.