While it may sound new to the uninitiated, peptide-based therapy has been around for over a century now. Since the early 1920s, researchers have been continuously developing peptides for therapeutic purposes. The most popular perhaps is the good old insulin, which has prolonged the lives of countless patients with type 1 diabetes.
Although its initial research was meant for the synthesis of endogenous human peptides, now, they can be sourced from other natural exogenous resources, with many being developed artificially in laboratories. Currently, there are at least 150 new peptides in development.
Today, peptide applications are far more diverse than when it was first studied over a hundred years ago.
This article will probe into this revolutionary breakthrough in medical science. We’ll talk about how peptide therapy works, its many applications, safety concerns, and how you can maximize its benefits.
What are Peptides?
You’ve probably heard about amino acids and how they’re the building blocks of protein. Peptides are right in between because they’re the short chains of amino acids that build up into more complex structures that become the larger, functional protein molecules. This makes peptides fundamental to cellular formation and biological processes. Depending on their properties, they can act as antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiaging, and more.
Peptides can be either endogenous or exogenous. Endogenous peptides are naturally produced in the body from precursor proteins. The most common example is human vasopressin, a nonapeptide also known as the antidiuretic hormone, which helps regulate blood pressure. Vasopressin can be synthesized in laboratories and is used as an active ingredient in medications for hypertension.
On the contrary, exogenous peptides cannot be produced by the body and can only be obtained through external resources such as food, supplements, and medicines.
Types
Peptides can be further classified according to the number of amino acids in one chain:
Oligopeptides – chains with not more than 10-15 amino acids. This includes monopeptides, dipeptides, tripeptides, and tetrapeptides.
Polypeptides – longer chains (without branches) with up to 50 amino acids.
Peptides with more than 50 molecules of amino acids are classed as proteins.
Classifications
Peptides are also classified into more specific group names depending on their properties and primary function. Here are some examples:
- Ribosomal peptides
- Antimicrobial peptides
- Immune peptides
- Neuropeptides
- Hormone peptides
As mentioned earlier, bioactive peptides can be found in other living organisms too — animals, plants, bacteria, and fungi. These are good sources of exogenous peptides for both dietary and medical use.
Uses and Applications
With the continuous advancements in modern science today, various peptides can now be found as common ingredients in the following:
- Vaccines
- Prescription drugs
- Dietary supplements
- Skincare products
- Cosmetic products
What is Peptide Therapy and How Does it Work?
Although many peptides are endogenous to living organisms, sometimes, our bodies do not make enough of them. It could be from aging, some diseases, certain medications, or brought about by lifestyle conditions. In other cases, our diet may not be enough to provide us with the exogenous peptides we need. Depending on the type of peptides your body may be in need more of, manifestations will vary. And depending on these manifestations, specific types of peptide therapy may be recommended.
The peptide therapy process uses bioactive peptides and can be administered in different ways:
- Topically using transdermal creams
- Orally using capsules
- Through inhalation using nasal sprays
- Via intramuscular injections
Peptide Therapy Benefits and Applications
Bioactive peptides can be used in countless therapeutic applications, including the management of a range of health issues. Here’s a list of the most common peptide therapy applications today:
- Antiaging therapy
- Skincare maintenance
- Weight loss management
- Cognitive enhancement
- Healing and immunity enhancement
- Muscle development
- Hormone therapy
- Chronic pain management
- Sexual health and fertility management
- Cancer therapy
- Autoimmune disease management
- Energy and endurance improvement
- Virus replication prevention
- Blood clot prevention
- Sleep quality improvement
Common Types of Peptides Used in Therapy and Their Benefits
When used in therapeutic applications, bioactive peptides are mostly used alone but they can also be combined with other compounds to enhance results. Peptides used in therapy usually come from plant and animal sources or are manufactured artificially in laboratories. Most synthetic peptides, however, are derived from natural resources and typically have the same effects.
Here’s a quick look at the most common examples used in peptide therapy, where they come from, and their touted benefits:
| Peptides | Common Sources | Benefits |
| Antimicrobial peptides | Fungi, insects, plants | Anti-acne, hastens wound healing, improves skin barrier |
| Collagen peptides | Animal sources | Anti-aging, hastens wound healing |
| Creatine peptides | Bovine or synthesized in laboratories (from sarcosine and cyanamide) | Increases muscle mass, improves physical strength and athletic performance |
| Growth hormone-releasing (GHR) peptides like ipamorelin and sermorelin | Plant and animal sources or synthesized in laboratories | Facilitates fat loss and muscle mass improvement, potential treatment for hypogonadism |
| GHK-Cu (copper peptides) | Synthesized in laboratories | Antioxidant, antiaging, skin health, wound healing, hair growth |
| PT-141 | Synthesized in laboratories | Improvement sexual function |
| Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) | Rabbits or synthesized in laboratories | Safer alternative to sedatives for inducing deep sleep |
| Glutathione | Plant and animal sources or synthesized in laboratories | Antioxidant, immune booster |
| HCG | Hamster ovary cells, human placenta, urine of pregnant women, or synthesized in laboratories | Enhances fertility and hormone production |
Who Can Benefit From Peptide Therapy?
It’s not uncommon for people who aren’t necessarily sick to use peptide therapy to enhance their overall health. However, individuals with more specific health and cosmetic concerns can benefit more from therapeutic peptides, specifically if they involve the following issues:
- Fatigue
- Low libido
- Poor stamina
- High stress levels
- Inflammatory conditions
- Poor sleep quality
- Mood problems
- Memory issues
- Excessive weight
- Skin problems
- Hair growth issues
- Aging
- Low lean muscle mass
However, keep in mind that results vary across individuals, and personalizing the treatment process is key to achieving desired results — from the type of peptides used to the route of administration and optimum dosages.
On the other hand, if you are taking medications or have a medical condition, you may not be a good candidate for peptide therapy. But you can always speak to your doctor to find out if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Signs of Low Peptide Levels
A decrease in peptide levels may also manifest in other ways that may be more difficult to pinpoint. Here are some of the usual symptoms that may be linked to potentially low peptide levels:
- Resistance to exercise and diet when trying to lose weight
- Weak immune system
- Low bone density
- Hormone imbalance/depletion
A thorough medical assessment is the only way to find out if your peptide levels are indeed below optimum levels. If you suspect such an issue or believe you could benefit from peptide therapy, consult your doctor to learn more about your health status and ideal treatment options.
Efficacy and Safety of Peptide Therapy
Is peptide therapy safe?
When used under the supervision of medical professionals, peptide therapy is generally safe and can provide the desired results. This is why it is ideal to consult your physician if you’d like to undergo peptide therapy, especially if you’re new to the procedure. Your doctor will perform a full medical assessment to create a custom treatment plan that’s safe and effective for your current health status. It’s also good to have reasonable expectations as it takes a while for the body to regulate itself with new peptide intake during and after therapy sessions.
If you’re a biohacker exploring peptide use, it’s recommended to work with an experienced healthcare professional. Do a thorough research on the type of peptide you intend to use and do not hesitate to consult a professional when you have safety concerns.
Is Peptide Therapy FDA-Approved?
Many of the peptides used in therapeutic applications are FDA-approved, but mostly with limitations. However, some are restricted, heavily regulated, and even banned. There are also new peptides that are still under development and are only legal for research or laboratory use.
As an example, peptides used in muscle growth and testosterone stimulation are banned by WADA since they can enhance athletic performance.
Are There Risks When Using Peptide Therapy?
Since peptides are naturally used by our body, when they’re broken down, the by-products are amino acids, which our body simply recycles. So, for healthy individuals who undergo peptide therapy, side effects are typically very minimal to non-existent. Proper use is also key to maximizing the therapeutic effects of bioactive peptides without the unwanted effects.
Peptide Therapy Side Effects
Side effects are usually dependent on the route of administration, the quality of the peptide used, and the manner of use. When the peptide used has impurities or it was misused without proper medical guidance, unwanted effects are more likely to occur.
But more importantly, side effects may be more specific depending on the peptide used and the individual’s current health condition.
In general, however, these are the most common side effects of peptide therapy:
- Allergic reactions such as hives and itching
- Headaches and dizziness
- Palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Skin irritation on the site of injection
- Hormonal imbalance
There are also other unknown long-term effects, especially for peptides that are still under clinical development. If you’re under any medication, there are also potential drug interactions. This is why it’s important to advise your doctor if you’re taking any medications or supplements before considering peptide therapy.
Where to Get Peptide Therapy
Peptide therapy clinics are usually within the many aesthetic and wellness clinics that now offer a range of peptide therapy products and services. Ideally, they’re administered by a registered physician, with whom you’ll have a consultation with to find out the best options for your concerns.
Peptide products are also available online, but careful scrutiny of sellers is a must. Our advice is to only buy from trusted sellers with a good track record in after-sales and customer service. On top of our list is Modern Aminos, as their products are third-party tested so you can have peace of mind when it comes to quality. You can also get a 10% discount by using the code wolf10 at checkout.
Personalizing Your Health With Peptides
Peptide therapy is a promising frontier in the evolution of medical science. But while it offers potential solutions to a plethora of health issues, remember that it’s not a magic potion for ailments. To fully benefit from its therapeutic uses, a customized treatment plan based on a complete medical assessment and the administration and supervision of a healthcare professional is strongly recommended.
