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Peptide Research Glossary

The terms you keep running into, in plain language — each labeled with how strong the human evidence actually is.

StrongEmergingLimited

16 terms

  • BPC-157

    Limited evidence

    A synthetic peptide with promising rodent data for tendon and gut healing, but essentially no controlled human trials.

    Repair

  • GHK-Cu

    Emerging

    A copper-binding peptide studied for skin and wound applications, with more topical than systemic evidence.

    Repair

  • GIP

    Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptideEmerging

    A second incretin hormone targeted alongside GLP-1 in newer dual-agonist therapies.

    Metabolic

  • GLP-1

    Glucagon-like peptide-1Strong evidence

    A gut hormone released after eating that curbs appetite, slows gastric emptying, and improves insulin response.

    Metabolic

  • Half-life

    Strong evidence

    The time it takes for half a dose to clear the body. Engineered peptides often extend a natural hormone’s short half-life into days.

    Fundamentals

  • Healthspan

    Strong evidence

    The portion of life spent in good health, free of chronic disease — distinct from total lifespan.

    Longevity

  • HRV

    Heart-rate variabilityStrong evidence

    Beat-to-beat variation in heart rate, used as a smoothed signal of recovery and autonomic balance.

    Recovery

  • NAD+

    Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotideEmerging

    A coenzyme central to energy metabolism; the longevity case rests on strong mechanisms and developing human data.

    Longevity

  • Peptide

    Strong evidence

    A short chain of amino acids — the same building blocks as proteins, just fewer of them. The body produces thousands as signaling molecules.

    Fundamentals

  • Receptor agonist

    Strong evidence

    A molecule that binds a receptor and activates it, mimicking the body’s natural signal. Most therapeutic peptides work this way.

    Fundamentals

  • Secretagogue

    Emerging

    A compound that prompts the body to release more of its own hormone, rather than supplying the hormone directly.

    Fundamentals

  • Semaglutide

    Strong evidence

    A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist with extensive human trials for weight loss, glycemic control, and cardiovascular outcomes.

    Metabolic

  • Subcutaneous

    SubQStrong evidence

    Injected into the fat layer just under the skin — the most common route for peptide therapeutics.

    Fundamentals

  • TB-500

    Thymosin β4 fragmentLimited evidence

    Studied preclinically for tissue repair and angiogenesis; human evidence is minimal.

    Repair

  • Tirzepatide

    Strong evidence

    A dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist showing large weight-loss and metabolic effects in randomized trials.

    Metabolic

  • VO2 Max

    Strong evidence

    The maximum rate of oxygen use during exercise — one of the strongest modifiable predictors of all-cause mortality.

    Longevity