Ahh, the topic of peptides. If you and I have been training live in person lately, you have heard me talk about my recent personal experience taking GHK-Cu, also known as Copper Peptide, for my hair. I seem to have less of it than I did in my late 40's and wanted to see if I could reverse that as a female who always had Disney princess hair until I turned about 50.
While peptides hold immense promise in promoting cellular repair, healing, performance, and anti-aging, research is still in its infancy. With limited clinical trials and FDA regulations on many therapeutic peptides, there’s much to uncover about their long-term safety, efficacy, and potential applications. With advances in science and anti aging coming at us so quickly, it's likely our kids won't look or feel anything like us when they turn 45, partially thanks to peptides and regenerative medicine. Remember your grandparents at age 60?
60 in 2024 is nothing like 60 when we were kids. I, myself am 58 and can say I probably won't look or move my body like my grandmother at 60 for several more years.
Below is an overview of notable peptides, their uses, regulatory status, associated risks, and mentions of media personalities or industries where they are commonly discussed.
Peptides for Anti-Aging and Cognitive Function
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)
Uses: Improves skin elasticity, reduces wrinkles, stimulates hair growth, and promotes wound healing.
FDA Status: Approved in cosmetic formulations, not for injections, though not banned for injections. Functional medicine doctors do prescribe it in injectable form. (I take this in oral tablet form.).
Category: Anti-aging, hair restoration, skin health.
Epitalon
Uses: May promote telomere elongation and regulate circadian rhythms for longevity benefits.
FDA Status: Not banned but not FDA-approved.
Category: Anti-aging, skin cell rejuvenation.
Selank
Uses: Supports anxiety reduction and cognitive function through its neuroprotective properties.
FDA Status: Not banned but not FDA-approved.
Category: Cognitive enhancement.
Thymosin Alpha-1
Uses: Supports immune system modulation and may have indirect anti-aging effects.
FDA Status: FDA-approved for certain immune conditions.
Category: Anti-aging, immune support.
Peptides for Hair Restoration and Skin Health
Melanotan II
Uses: Promotes pigmentation and skin repair, often used to reduce UV-related damage.
FDA Status: Not banned, but not FDA-approved.
Category: Skin cell rejuvenation, anti-aging.
IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor)
Uses: Promotes hair follicle stimulation and collagen production for skin health.
FDA Status: Approved in specific medical contexts.
Category: Hair restoration, skin repair.
Peptides for Bone Health, Fat Loss, and Muscle Repair
CJC-1295 with DAC
Uses: Stimulates growth hormone secretion for bone health, muscle repair, and fat loss.
FDA Status: Not banned, but not FDA-approved for general use.
Category: Bone density, fat loss, muscle repair.
Tesamorelin
Uses: FDA-approved for fat reduction in HIV patients, also studied for anti-aging and cognitive benefits.
FDA Status: Approved for specific uses.
Category: Fat loss, cognitive function.
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound)
Uses: Accelerates healing of tendons, muscles, and the gut; supports bone and tissue repair.
FDA Status: Not FDA-approved but not banned.
Category: Muscle repair, bone health.
GLP-1 (e.g., Semaglutide)
Uses: Approved for weight loss and diabetes management, showing secondary benefits for cardiovascular health.
FDA Status: FDA-approved for specific conditions.
Category: Fat loss, anti-aging.
Key Takeaways
Regulation and Safety: Most peptides are in a regulatory gray zone—consult healthcare providers for safe, evidence-based recommendations.
Research Gaps: Although promising, many peptides lack large-scale clinical trials for broader applications.
Risk Awareness: Sourcing from reputable providers is crucial to avoid contamination or adulteration risks.
Peptides show enormous promise and finding a functional medicine doctor who prescribes them is the recommended pathway to starting therapy and learning which ones are right for you.
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