What Are Peptides?
Your body naturally produces thousands of peptides. Hormones like insulin and growth hormone are themselves peptides. The peptides used therapeutically are either identical to naturally occurring peptides or are analogs designed to mimic their action with greater stability or potency.
Most therapeutic peptides are administered via subcutaneous injection (a tiny insulin-style needle under the skin), though some are available as oral supplements, nasal sprays, or topical creams depending on the application.
Because peptides work by signaling rather than replacing, they tend to have favorable safety profiles when used under medical supervision — the body can respond to them as it would to its own signals.
Commonly Used Peptides: What They're Studied For and Their Status
Below are the peptides patients most often ask about, what each has mainly been studied for, and where it stands with regulators and at Peak Medical Wellness. Status reflects the FDA's published 503A lists and the October 28, 2026 HHS enforcement-discretion policy as of this guide's update date. No peptide in this table is FDA-approved.
| Peptide | What it's studied for | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sermorelin | Growth-hormone release from the pituitary (a growth-hormone secretagogue) | Compounded; not FDA-approved. Offered at Peak Medical Wellness by prescription |
| Ipamorelin, CJC-1295 | Growth-hormone release (secretagogues) | Not currently permitted for pharmacy compounding (ipamorelin is on the FDA's Category 2 list; the CJC-1295 nomination was withdrawn); not offered at Peak Medical Wellness |
| BPC-157 | Tendon, ligament, muscle and gut injury, almost entirely in animal models | Compounded under the Oct 2026 HHS policy; not FDA-approved. Planned at Peak Medical Wellness — ask your provider |
| TB-500 | Tissue repair and blood-vessel formation, mostly in animal models | Compounded under the Oct 2026 HHS policy; not FDA-approved. Planned at Peak Medical Wellness — ask your provider |
| PT-141 (bremelanotide) | Sexual dysfunction, acting through the brain rather than blood vessels | Compounded; the active ingredient in an FDA-approved product, but the compounded version is not FDA-approved |
| Semaglutide, tirzepatide | Weight loss and blood sugar (GLP-1 receptor agonists) | Covered in our weight-loss guides |
| AOD-9604, Selank | Fat metabolism (AOD-9604); cognition and stress (Selank), mostly in animal studies | Not currently permitted for pharmacy compounding (nominations withdrawn); not offered at Peak Medical Wellness |
| Semax | Cognition and recovery after stroke, mainly in Russian research | Covered by the Oct 2026 HHS policy; not FDA-approved; not offered at Peak Medical Wellness |
BPC-157 and TB-500 are the two most people ask about; our BPC-157 and TB-500 guide covers what each is, what the evidence does and doesn't show, and how a provider decides whether either fits. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are discussed in detail in our GLP-1 weight loss guide.
Who Benefits From Peptide Therapy?
Peptide therapy isn't exclusively for elite athletes or biohackers. A wide range of patients see meaningful benefit:
• Adults 35+ experiencing age-related decline in recovery, sleep quality, or body composition
• Athletes or active individuals dealing with chronic or slow-healing injuries
• Men or women experiencing sexual dysfunction who haven't responded to other approaches
• Patients seeking cognitive support and stress resilience
• Those interested in proactive aging strategies as part of a broader wellness program
The best results come from combining peptide therapy with appropriate lifestyle factors — nutrition, sleep, resistance training — and often with other hormonal optimization.
Safety and What to Expect
No peptide in this guide is FDA-approved, and the evidence in people is thinner than the marketing suggests; most of what is known comes from animal and cell studies. Under medical supervision the most common reported side effects are injection-site reactions. Longer-term effects are not well studied, which is one reason a provider evaluates you first and follows you after.
At Peak Medical Wellness, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation before recommending any peptide protocol. We review your labs, health history, and goals to determine which peptides — and at what doses — make sense for you.
Everyone responds differently. Your provider reviews how you're feeling and what your labs show at each follow-up and adjusts or stops the plan from there.
It's important to source peptides through a legitimate medical provider. Peptides purchased online without a prescription vary widely in purity and concentration — both safety and efficacy are compromised.
In October 2026 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a draft enforcement-discretion policy covering six compounded peptides, including BPC-157 and TB-500. It is not FDA approval. Our guide to the policy explains what it does and doesn't change.
Explore Peptide Therapy at Peak Medical Wellness
Our Fort Collins providers can help you determine whether peptide therapy fits your goals. Book a consultation and we'll walk you through the options.
Learn more about Read our BPC-157 and TB-500 guide.
Results disclaimer: Individual results vary. Outcomes depend on each patient's unique health profile, treatment adherence, and other individual factors. Peak Medical Wellness does not guarantee specific results.