Verified July 2026 · Cited to primary sources

Every peptide,
graded by the evidence.

Look up any peptide and get its evidence grade (A to F), its legal status, and the honest verdict, cited to real studies. We grade all 46, and most of the hyped names (BPC-157, TB-500) are only Grade D: animal data, no human proof.

See peptides ranked A to F Track the July 2026 FDA vote

Grades set by fixed evidence tree, not affiliate status·Every claim cited to FDA, NEJM & PubMed

What's your goal?

Weight Loss Muscle Growth Recovery & Healing Skin & Anti-Aging Sleep Hair Growth Cognition & Focus Sexual Health Immune Support

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46
Peptides graded, A to F: 7
On the FDA's July 2026 docket: 8
FDA-approved, incl. GLP-1s

For weight loss, no peptide beats an approved GLP-1.

The peptides marketed for fat loss are either investigational (retatrutide), narrowly approved for something else (tesamorelin), or unproven in humans (MOTS-c). If weight loss is the goal, the evidence points to approved GLP-1 medications you can access legally today.

The honest short answer · Our editorial position, July 2026

Compare GLP-1 options Read the weight-loss evidence

Best peptide for…

Pick a goal. Get the graded answer.

Weight Loss

The GLP-1 medications semaglutide and tirzepatide (Grade A, FDA-approved) are the evidence-backed answer, and we point you to a provider comparison for them. Tesamorelin (Grade A) is approved only for HIV-associated visceral fat, not general weight loss. Retatrutide (Grade B) is investigational. MOTS-c is Grade D.

Grade ATesamorelin→See the full weight loss ranking

Muscle Growth

Sermorelin (Grade B) is the best-evidenced option with a legal compounding route. Tesamorelin (Grade A) is proven for visceral fat but approved only for HIV lipodystrophy. CJC-1295/Ipamorelin (Grade C) raises GH/IGF-1 in one study but has no trial showing it builds muscle, and it is not legally compoundable.

Grade ATesamorelin→See the full muscle growth ranking

Recovery & Healing

The famous recovery peptides (BPC-157, TB-500, KPV) are all Grade D (animal studies only) and under FDA review (July 2026 PCAC). Sermorelin (Grade B) is the only option here with real human data and a legal route. Bottom line: the recovery claims outrun the human evidence.

Grade BSermorelin→See the full recovery & healing ranking

Skin & Anti-Aging

Among injectable options, KPV and Epitalon are both Grade D, with no human efficacy trials. The evidence-backed skin route is topical GHK-Cu (Grade B for topical/cosmetic use), which is legal as a cosmetic and doesn't require injecting anything. We'd point most people there, not to a research injectable.

Grade AMelanotan-1 (Afamelanotide / Scenesse)→See the full skin & anti-aging ranking

Sleep

No peptide here has strong human sleep-efficacy data. Epitalon (Grade D) rests on small Russian studies. Sermorelin (Grade B) is better-evidenced overall and sometimes used for sleep and recovery, but it is a GH-axis peptide, not a dedicated sleep aid. The honest answer: sleep is the weakest-evidence peptide category.

Grade BSermorelin→See the full sleep ranking

Hair Growth

The only peptide here with genuine human evidence is topical GHK-Cu (copper peptides), and even that is Grade B for skin with only early, thin hair data, nowhere near the proof behind finasteride and minoxidil, which are not peptides. If regrowing hair is the goal, the evidence points to those proven drugs first. A copper-peptide serum is at best a legal, low-risk supporting cosmetic.

Grade BGHK-Cu→See the full hair growth ranking

Cognition & Focus

Semax and Selank are the only cognitive peptides here with genuine human data, and both are Grade C: approved as drugs in Russia, backed by real Russian clinical trials, but never replicated in a Western RCT. Neither is FDA-approved and neither has a legal supervised US route today. Treat them as early, foreign-evidence nootropics: promising in Russian studies, unproven to FDA standards, and gray-market to access.

Grade CSemax→See the full cognition & focus ranking

Sexual Health

PT-141 (bremelanotide, Grade A) is the only FDA-approved option, cleared for premenopausal low sexual desire. Kisspeptin (Grade C) has small human arousal studies. Oxytocin and gonadorelin are approved drugs used off-label here. Melanotan-2 (Grade D) does cause erections but carries a real melanoma concern, and we do not recommend it.

Grade APT-141→See the full sexual health ranking

Immune Support

Thymosin alpha-1 (Grade B) has the most human data, approved outside the US for hepatitis and studied as a sepsis and immune adjunct. LL-37 (Grade C) is an antimicrobial peptide with one small positive trial and one failed larger trial. VIP (Grade C) and KPV (Grade D) are earlier-stage. None is FDA-approved in the US.

Grade BThymosin Alpha-1→See the full immune support ranking

Start here

Are peptides safe & legal?

The evidence, the July 2026 FDA vote, and why sourcing matters, before you buy anything.

Read the safety guide →

The evidence system

Graded by human evidence. Never by what we can sell.

One question: how strong is the human proof? A fixed rule answers it. FDA approval and human trials sit at the top; animal-only and failed-in-humans at the bottom. Legal status is graded separately as a factual badge.

The full A to F rubric →

Grade A: FDA-approved / proven in humans; 9 peptides
Grade B: Real human trials, limited or historical; 6 peptides
Grade C: Early / foreign human data only; 14 peptides
Grade D: Animal studies only, unproven in humans; 16 peptides
Grade F: Tested in humans and failed; 1 peptide

FDA panel voted: 6 of 7 recommended

The panel recommended 6 of 7 peptides. None of them is legal yet.

July 23 to 24, 2026: the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee recommended BPC-157, TB-500, KPV, MOTS-c, Semax and Epitalon for the 503A compounding list and voted down DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide). A recommendation is advice to the FDA, not a rule. The FDA decides through separate rulemaking and has not acted.

See the outcome →

The evidence grades

All 46 peptides, graded A to F.

Ranked by strength of human evidence, never by what we can monetize. How we grade.

Peptide	Evidence	Legal status	Best for
Grade AFDA-approved / proven in humans9 peptides
Tesamorelin Synthetic GHRH	Grade A	FDA-approved	An FDA-approved peptide drug, not a research chemical. Proven to cut visceral fat, but approved for a narrow HIV indication.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Tesamorelin
PT-141 Synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist	Grade A	FDA-approved	An FDA-approved peptide drug, not a research chemical. Proven to raise sexual desire in premenopausal women, but the benefit is modest and the off-label hype outruns it.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for PT-141
Semaglutide GLP-1 receptor agonist	Grade A	FDA-approved	The once-weekly GLP-1 that turned obesity into a treatable condition, with roughly 15 percent average body-weight loss in its landmark trial and a proven cardiovascular benefit on top.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Semaglutide
Tirzepatide GIP and GLP-1 dual receptor agonist	Grade A	FDA-approved	The dual-hormone agonist that beat semaglutide head to head and delivered up to roughly 21 percent body-weight loss in its pivotal obesity trial, the most weight loss of any approved medication to date.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Tirzepatide
Liraglutide GLP-1 receptor agonist	Grade A	FDA-approved	The original daily GLP-1 for weight and diabetes: less powerful than the weekly agents that followed, but FDA-approved, decades-proven, and with a documented cardiovascular benefit.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Liraglutide
Dulaglutide GLP-1 receptor agonist	Grade A	FDA-approved	A once-weekly GLP-1 approved for type 2 diabetes with a proven cardiovascular benefit, but never FDA-approved for obesity, so weight loss is a real but secondary effect.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Dulaglutide
Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide / Scenesse) Melanocortin receptor agonist	Grade A	FDA-approved	The one melanotan that is actually an FDA-approved drug. As Scenesse, afamelanotide is a prescription implant for a rare light-sensitivity disorder, not the gray-market tanning peptide people buy online.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide / Scenesse)
Gonadorelin (GnRH) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone	Grade A	Compoundable (503A)	Synthetic GnRH, the master hormone that tells the pituitary to make LH and FSH. It was an FDA-approved human drug and is now widely used in compounded men's-health protocols to keep the testicular axis running during TRT.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Gonadorelin (GnRH)
Oxytocin Posterior pituitary nonapeptide hormone	Grade A	FDA-approved	A real FDA-approved hormone drug (as Pitocin) used in obstetrics for labor and postpartum bleeding. The social, bonding, and libido claims that make it popular are mostly extrapolated from small studies, not approved uses.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Oxytocin
Grade BReal human trials, limited or historical6 peptides
Sermorelin Synthetic GHRH	Grade B	Compoundable (503A)	The "gentler," formerly-FDA-approved GH-axis peptide. It's the best-evidenced option you can still legally get through a compounding pharmacy.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Sermorelin
Retatrutide Investigational GIP/GLP-1/glucagon triple-receptor agonist peptide	Grade B	Research-only	The next-generation weight-loss peptide with the strongest efficacy signal. But it is investigational and not yet available by any legal route.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Retatrutide
GHK-Cu Copper-binding tripeptide complex	Grade B	Cosmetic/topical	The copper peptide behind decades of skincare. Real human topical/cosmetic evidence for skin, but injected versions are a different, unproven story.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for GHK-Cu
Cagrilintide Long-acting amylin receptor agonist	Grade B	Research-only	An investigational once-weekly amylin analog that produced about 11 percent weight loss on its own in phase 2 and is the partner half of the CagriSema combination, not an approved standalone drug.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Cagrilintide
Thymosin Alpha-1 Immunomodulatory peptide	Grade B	Research-only	A 28-amino-acid thymic peptide that tunes the immune system. Approved as a drug (Zadaxin) in ~35 countries for hepatitis and immune support, but never FDA-approved, so in the US it is research-only.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Thymosin Alpha-1
Thymosin Beta-4 Actin-sequestering regenerative peptide	Grade B	Research-only	A 43-amino-acid tissue-repair peptide. It has real human eye-drop trials (RGN-259) but is not FDA-approved, and the injectable bodybuilding version (TB-500) has essentially no human data.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Thymosin Beta-4
Grade CEarly / foreign human data only14 peptides
Semax Synthetic heptapeptide	Grade C	Under FDA review	A Russian-approved cognitive and neuroprotective peptide with real but non-Western clinical data.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Semax
CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin GHRH analog	Grade C	Research-only	The classic GH-boosting stack. One human PK study shows it raises GH/IGF-1, but no trial shows it builds muscle or burns fat.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin
CJC-1295 Synthetic long-acting GHRH	Grade C	Research-only	A GHRH analog, usually the long-acting "with DAC" version, that one human study shows raises GH/IGF-1. No trial shows it builds muscle or burns fat.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for CJC-1295
Selank Synthetic anxiolytic/nootropic heptapeptide	Grade C	Research-only	A Russian-developed anti-anxiety and nootropic peptide with real but non-Western human trials. In Russian studies it matched a benzodiazepine for anxiety without the sedation or dependence.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Selank
Ipamorelin Growth hormone secretagogue	Grade C	Research-only	The cleanest of the GH-releasing peptides on paper: it bumps GH without the cortisol and prolactin spike the older GHRPs cause. But the honest headline is that the one real human trial was for gut motility, not muscle, and it flat-out failed. Zero human data proving it builds muscle or burns fat.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Ipamorelin
MK-677 (Ibutamoren) Orally-active growth hormone secretagogue	Grade C	Research-only	The odd one out: MK-677 is not a peptide, it is an orally-active small-molecule ghrelin mimetic, which is why people take it as a daily capsule instead of an injection. It has the best human evidence in this group by far, including a 2-year randomized trial, but that trial is also the cautionary tale: it raised lean mass a little while measurably worsening insulin sensitivity and blood sugar.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
LL-37 (Cathelicidin) Host-defense	Grade C	Research-only	The body's own 37-amino-acid antimicrobial peptide. It has genuine human wound-healing trials, but the largest one (phase 2b) failed its main endpoint, so the evidence is a mixed, small-scale C.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for LL-37 (Cathelicidin)
ARA-290 (Cibinetide) Innate repair receptor agonist	Grade C	Research-only	An 11-amino-acid fragment derived from erythropoietin that triggers tissue repair without boosting red blood cells. It has small positive human nerve-regeneration trials, which makes it an honest C.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for ARA-290 (Cibinetide)
VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Aviptadil) Neuropeptide	Grade C	Research-only	A natural 28-amino-acid neuropeptide with broad signaling roles. Its big FDA push (aviptadil for COVID) failed a phase 3 trial and the FDA declined authorization, so the evidence is a mixed C.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Aviptadil)
Cerebrolysin Neuropeptide preparation	Grade C	Research-only	A peptide mixture derived from pig brain that is actually approved and used for stroke and dementia in several countries, just not the US. It has a real stack of human trials, but the quality is mixed and the biggest stroke analyses came back neutral.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Cerebrolysin
Kisspeptin (Kisspeptin-54 / Kisspeptin-10) Hypothalamic neuropeptide	Grade C	Research-only	An investigational reproductive hormone that sits one step above GnRH. Real, well-designed human trials show it can boost sexual-brain activity and arousal, but it is research-only and delivered by IV infusion, not a peptide you buy and inject at home.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Kisspeptin (Kisspeptin-54 / Kisspeptin-10)
SS-31 (Elamipretide) Mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide	Grade C	Research-only	The most seriously studied peptide on this list, run through real Phase 3 trials. Its flagship mitochondrial-myopathy trial missed its primary endpoints, but its dry-AMD program is still advancing, so the honest verdict is mixed, not settled.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for SS-31 (Elamipretide)
Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8) Topical cosmetic peptide	Grade C	Cosmetic/topical	The peptide marketed as topical Botox. It does have small placebo-controlled human studies behind it, but the honest read is a modest softening of fine lines, nowhere near what an injection does.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8)
Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4) Topical cosmetic peptide	Grade C	Cosmetic/topical	The best-supported cosmetic peptide here. Real split-face human trials show a modest, retinol-adjacent reduction in fine lines, and it is gentle. Just do not expect a dramatic change.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4)
Grade DAnimal studies only, unproven in humans16 peptides
BPC-157 Synthetic pentadecapeptide	Grade D	Under FDA review	The most-hyped, least-human-proven "healing" peptide. Extensive rodent data, zero published human trials.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for BPC-157
TB-500 Synthetic actin-binding peptide fragment	Grade D	Under FDA review	The other half of the "wolverine stack." Soft-tissue recovery claims, but only animal data for the fragment actually sold.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for TB-500
KPV Synthetic tripeptide	Grade D	Under FDA review	An anti-inflammatory tripeptide studied for gut and skin inflammation. Promising in cells and animals, untested in humans.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for KPV
MOTS-c Mitochondrial-derived peptide	Grade D	Under FDA review	An "exercise-mimetic" metabolic peptide. Real mechanistic interest, but human evidence is association-only.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for MOTS-c
Epitalon Synthetic tetrapeptide	Grade D	Under FDA review	A longevity and anti-aging peptide built on small, low-quality Russian studies. The claims far outrun the evidence.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Epitalon
Melanotan-2 (MT-2) Synthetic non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist	Grade D	Research-only	An unapproved "tanning" peptide with documented serious harms. Melanoma and mole changes, priapism, nausea, and rhabdomyolysis have all been reported. This is a safety page, not a recommendation.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Melanotan-2 (MT-2)
IGF-1 LR3 Synthetic long-acting analogue of insulin-like growth factor 1	Grade D	Research-only	A long-acting IGF-1 analogue marketed for muscle growth on the strength of its mechanism alone. There is no published human efficacy trial for it, and it's banned in sport.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for IGF-1 LR3
GHRP-6 Growth hormone secretagogue	Grade D	Research-only	The original GH-releasing peptide from the 1980s. It works as a GH pulse trigger and it makes you ravenously hungry, but it is non-selective, so it drags cortisol and prolactin up with it. Human data is all old pharmacology studies, none of it shows it builds muscle.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for GHRP-6
GHRP-2 Growth hormone secretagogue	Grade D	Research-only	The most potent GH-pulse trigger of the classic GHRPs per dose, and it is actually an approved diagnostic agent for GH deficiency in Japan. But like its cousins it also spikes appetite and modestly raises cortisol and prolactin, and there is no human trial showing it builds muscle.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for GHRP-2
Hexarelin Growth hormone secretagogue	Grade D	Research-only	The GHRP with the most interesting side story: beyond releasing GH it has a direct, GH-independent positive effect on heart contractility in humans via a cardiac receptor. That cardiac finding is real and human. What is missing is any trial showing it does the muscle-building it is sold for, plus it loses its GH punch fast with repeat dosing.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Hexarelin
DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide) Neuropeptide	Grade D	Research-only	A nine-amino-acid peptide discovered in the 1970s and named for the deep-sleep brain waves it was thought to trigger. Small old human studies suggested it helped insomnia, but the underlying science stayed so thin that reviewers literally call it an unresolved riddle.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide)
Dihexa Angiotensin IV-derived synthetic hexapeptide	Grade D	Research-only	A lab-built angiotensin IV analog designed to supercharge brain synapse formation, and in rats it looked staggeringly potent. But it has never been proven in a human, and the drug company version built on the same target failed its big Alzheimer's trial in 2024.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Dihexa
Humanin Mitochondrial-derived peptide	Grade D	Research-only	A tiny peptide encoded inside your mitochondrial DNA that acts as a cellular bodyguard, protecting neurons from Alzheimer-related damage in the lab. The cytoprotection story is strong in animals and cells, but no human neuroprotection trial has ever been completed.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Humanin
Follistatin (FST-344 / FS344) Myostatin/activin-binding glycoprotein	Grade D	Research-only	A natural myostatin blocker that in theory should unlock muscle growth. The reality: the injectable peptide is essentially preclinical, and the only human evidence is from AAV gene therapy, a completely different technology, in a handful of muscular-dystrophy patients.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for Follistatin (FST-344 / FS344)
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) IGF-1 splice variant / growth factor peptide	Grade D	Research-only	A short splice variant of IGF-1 that muscle makes locally after mechanical stress. The theory is great, the human data barely exists, and the one well-run cell study said it did nothing.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)
PEG-MGF (Pegylated Mechano Growth Factor) PEGylated IGF-1 splice variant peptide	Grade D	Research-only	MGF with a polyethylene glycol tail bolted on to make it last longer in the blood. Longer half-life, same problem: the evidence is animal-only and no human trial has shown it does anything.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for PEG-MGF (Pegylated Mechano Growth Factor)
Grade FTested in humans and failed1 peptide
AOD-9604 Growth hormone C-terminal fragment analog	Grade F	Research-only	A modified fragment of human growth hormone that was supposed to melt fat without the side effects. It got a real Phase 2b obesity trial in humans and flat-out failed to beat placebo, which is why no regulator has ever approved it.	See the evidenceSee the evidence for AOD-9604

Methodology: Evidence Grade is assigned by a fixed decision tree (FDA approval and published human RCTs at the top; animal-only and failed-in-humans at the bottom). Affiliate availability never changes a grade. Full methodology.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the best peptide for [goal]?

It depends on the goal, and on being honest about the evidence. For recovery, the famous peptides (BPC-157, TB-500) are Grade D (animal studies only). For muscle, sermorelin (Grade B) is the best-evidenced legal option. For weight loss, no research peptide beats an approved GLP-1 medication. We grade every peptide A to F by human evidence and show its legal status so you can see the honest answer, not the hype.

Are peptides FDA approved?

Some are, most are not. The FDA-approved ones we cover include the GLP-1 weight-loss medications (semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, dulaglutide), PT-141, afamelanotide, gonadorelin, oxytocin and tesamorelin. Sermorelin is legally compoundable. But the popular research peptides (BPC-157, TB-500, KPV, MOTS-c, Semax, Epitalon) are not approved and are under FDA review (July 2026 PCAC), and most others are research-only.

Are peptides safe?

It varies, and honest safety data is thin. FDA testing has found that a large share of online and compounded peptides had incorrect dosages or undeclared ingredients, which is the core reason we grade legal access routes and refuse gray-market vendors. The best-characterized peptides here (the FDA-approved GLP-1 medications, PT-141, tesamorelin, sermorelin) have real human safety data; most research peptides have little to none. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting anything.

What peptides is the FDA reviewing in 2026?

The FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) reviewed seven peptides on July 23 to 24, 2026 for the 503A bulks list: BPC-157, TB-500, KPV, MOTS-c, Semax, Epitalon and DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide). It recommended six of them and declined one. A recommendation is advice to the FDA, not a rule. The FDA makes the binding decision through separate rulemaking and has not acted, so none of them is legally compoundable yet. Our FDA peptide status tracker carries every tally.

How do you grade peptides, and are you independent?

Evidence Grade is assigned by a fixed decision tree: FDA approval or multiple human RCTs earn an A, real human trials a B, early or foreign data a C, animal-only a D, and a failed human trial an F. Legal status is a separate, factual badge. Affiliate availability never lifts a grade. An F-grade peptide we can't monetize still gets F. See our editorial policy for the firewall.

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