Peptides, ranked by evidence

Body Protection Compound-157 · Pentadecapeptide BPC 157

Schedule 4 + Appendix D in Australia

A synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide derived from a protective protein found in human gastric juice. It became one of the most talked-about recovery compounds on the strength of animal studies in tendon, ligament, muscle and gut healing — human trial data remains minimal.

Thymosin beta-4 (fragment) · TB4

Unapproved · WADA-prohibited

A synthetic version of thymosin beta-4, a naturally occurring protein involved in cell migration and wound repair. Popular in recovery circles and central to Australia's most famous sports doping saga, its human evidence is limited to small trials in unrelated indications.

Copper tripeptide-1 · Copper peptide

Cosmetic use widespread · injectable unapproved

A naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide that declines with age, GHK-Cu is the rare research peptide many Australians already use — it has been a mainstream cosmetic ingredient for decades, with genuine dermatology research behind topical use.

Somatropin · HGH · rhGH

TGA-approved medicine (Schedule 4)

The benchmark the rest of this space is measured against: recombinant human growth hormone is a fully approved, PBS-subsidised medicine in Australia for defined conditions — and simultaneously one of the most misused compounds in anti-aging and bodybuilding circles.

Egrifta · TH9507

FDA-approved (US) · not registered in Australia

A stabilised analogue of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and one of the few compounds on this list that is a genuinely approved medicine — the FDA approved it to reduce excess abdominal fat in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.

ACTH(4-7)PGP

Approved in Russia · unapproved in the West

A synthetic fragment of the hormone ACTH developed in Soviet-era Russia, used there for decades as a stroke and cognitive treatment — yet virtually untested in Western-standard randomised trials.

TP-7

Approved in Russia · unapproved in the West

Semax's anxiolytic sibling — a synthetic analogue of the immune peptide tuftsin, developed in Russia as an anti-anxiety nasal spray said to work without sedation or dependence. Western evidence is nearly absent.

Epitalon · AEDG peptide

Unapproved · evidence unreplicated

A four-amino-acid peptide at the heart of the boldest claim in the peptide world — that it activates telomerase and extends lifespan. The claim rests on decades of work from largely one Russian research group and has never been replicated to modern trial standards.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide · NMN · NR (precursors)

Supplements & IV clinics · claims outpace evidence

Not a peptide at all, but impossible to leave out of the longevity conversation: NAD+ is a coenzyme every cell uses to produce energy, and its decline with age has spawned an industry of IV drips and precursor supplements (NMN, NR).

Elamipretide · Bendavia

FDA-approved for Barth syndrome (2025)

The clinical heavyweight of this list: a mitochondria-targeting peptide developed by Stealth BioTherapeutics that won FDA accelerated approval in September 2025 (as Forzinity) for the ultra-rare Barth syndrome — while its larger trials in other mitochondrial diseases have produced mixed results.

Exercise mimetic

Preclinical (animal studies only)

The 'exercise in a pill' headline-maker: a small molecule (not a peptide) that activates the same energy-metabolism receptors exercise does. Every result so far — increased endurance, fat loss without diet change — comes from mice.