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It seems like peptide therapy is getting more and more popular lately, so I thought we should have a forum thread about it so we can share what we've learned and anyone with personal experience with them can report what happened. I've been doing a deep dive on using injectable peptides for health and I've been pretty blown away by what I've found. I'm leery of over-hyping health protocols, so I hesitate to say it, but I do think these things are potentially a game-changer for multiple health issues.
I feel like peptides kind of have the reputation for being the sole domain of bodybuilders, fitness influencers and biohackers, but they're really so much more than that. Yes, there are a lot that do body recomposition, skin rejuvenation, hair regrowth, etc., but I think their potential for truly deep healing means dismissing them as vanity supplements really misses the mark.
So far my own experience has been limited to a GLP-1 peptide called Retatrutide, which is touted as a weight loss peptide but is actually more like a healer of broken metabolisms. I plan on doing a few posts on specific peptides and I'll detail more on the details of GLP-1s in a later post. I've also just started taking a mitochondrial peptide called MOTS-C, but it's too early to give much of a report on it.
First off, what are peptides? The dictionary definition: Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds, which are the fundamental building blocks of proteins in the body. They typically consist of between two and 50 amino acids, although some definitions extend the upper limit to 100 amino acids. Peptides are distinct from proteins, which are longer chains of amino acids, often forming complex three-dimensional structures. The distinction between peptides and proteins can be somewhat arbitrary and context-dependent.
Peptides that are taken exogenously are generally ones the body uses as extracellular signaling molecules, hormones and neurotransmitters and can regulate processes like metabolism, tissue regeneration and immune response. Lots of biologically active substrates we already know about and supplement with are actually peptides, like insulin, glutathione, ghrelin, oxytocin, vasopressin, etc.
By taking a peptide, you're inserting a signal into the body; a signal it already has the potential to send itself. Therefore, every effect a peptide is able to have on the body is something the body already has the potential to do. By introducing a signal, rather than just triggering one biological effect, it often sets in motion a whole cascade of effects.
As such, very few peptides are 'one-trick poneys'. They tend to activate entire pathways that have multiple downstream effects, not targeting specific reactions like many drugs or nutrients do (not all). This is why you tend to see the list of benefits for a peptide be wide-ranging and sometimes seemingly unrelated. The signals one is sending with peptide therapies are like telling the body to activate an overall state rather than small tweaks to downstream reactions.
And while individual peptides can have multiple benefits, people often take more than one. In many cases there are synergistic effects between multiple peptides that go above and beyond what the individual peptides can do. People call this as 'stacking' peptides, or refer to 'peptide stacks'.
Pros of Peptide Therapies:
* From what I can tell, they're very effective and deliver on their promises; the caveat here being that I only have limited personal experience with one peptide (and starting a second). But there are lots of anecdotal reports out there, some of which are coming from practitioners who have worked with thousands of clients collectively. Some things undoubtedly get over-hyped (as with all health protocols), and individual results are obviously going to be varied. But as a general rule, peptides seem to do what they're supposed to do.
* Peptides are like sets of instructions for processes our bodies are generally not using or are using in a limited way (reasons for this aren't really known, but looking at our current environment will probably yield some theories, not even getting into the esoteric nature of our reality). They're not pharmaceuticals which tend to strong-arm outcomes through force by blunting, breaking or circumventing pathways, often leading to side effects (NOTE: I'm not saying pharmaceuticals are bad, this is just to highlight how peptides are different). They're also not like vitamins, minerals or nutraceuticals which tend to flood the body with substrates to encourage particular outcomes (in some cases they work by other mechanisms, of course). I think of peptides as working at a higher order within the system, like managing rather than micromanaging.
*There is quite a bit of research out there. Some of these peptides have been studied for decades, while others are relatively new, and the research will reflect that.
* To speak generally, there's a very good safety profile for the majority of peptides. Side effects are usually minimal, in some cases non-existent. But obviously each case varies and needs to be researched!
Cons of Peptide Therapies:
* The major stumbling block is access: peptides are either expensive or difficult to get. Getting peptides through resellers in the West is generally safe as long as they're testing them (and they should be willing to provide test results) but even this is not entirely without risk, obviously. This option is expensive, however, as mark-ups can be astronomical. Alternatively, to get them cheap means getting them through the Chinese grey-market which requires a lot of know-how: you're usually dealing in crypto, which has its own steep learning curve (although it is possible to find sellers that will take WISE transfers or in rare cases even Paypal); you may find yourself navigating Discord servers, Telegram and Whatsapp channels and somewhat dodgy steroid and peptide forums; and on top of all this, the space is littered with scammers. It's high risk and not for the feint-of-heart. It's not impossible but requires some determination.
* While there are small number oral peptides, most require sub-cutaneous self-injection. This isn't too difficult to learn to do and the pain is really quite minimal, but it will no doubt pose a major stumbling block for some people. It also requires equipment and hygiene procedures for safety.
* The injectable peptides come as powders in vials which need to be reconstituted with bacteriostatic water (water with a tiny amount of benzoic acid to sterilize). There's a bit of a learning curve here, but it's nothing too complicated. I thought I should mention it though, because it is more involved than just popping a pill.
* Misinfo - finding good reliable information on peptides is challenging. The peptide space is loaded with 'influencers' who all just tend to parrot each other, so the wrong information can spread fast. I've been following a few people on YouTube who are experienced (practitioners working directly with patients) and/or who cite research studies. Bodybuilder channels can have a lot of great info, going into autistic-level detail on mechanisms of action, but one has to keep in mind that many of them are coming at it from the goal of strength and physical appearance and not necessarily overall health. (As an aside, I think we owe a lot to the bodybuilder community since they fearlessly experiment on themselves with new supplements, compounds, medications, therapies, etc. If you hear about a "new" supplement, chances are you can find bodybuilders who have been using it for years and can tell you the ins and outs of it). Fortunately, as I said, there are a lot of studies out there and answers can often be a Pubmed search away.
That wraps up the general introduction. I'll do a few posts on specific peptides or groups of peptides soon. But if anyone has anything to add or experiences with peptides, this seems like a good place to post them!
It seems like peptide therapy is getting more and more popular lately, so I thought we should have a forum thread about it so we can share what we've learned and anyone with personal experience with them can report what happened. I've been doing a deep dive on using injectable peptides for health and I've been pretty blown away by what I've found. I'm leery of over-hyping health protocols, so I hesitate to say it, but I do think these things are potentially a game-changer for multiple health issues.
I feel like peptides kind of have the reputation for being the sole domain of bodybuilders, fitness influencers and biohackers, but they're really so much more than that. Yes, there are a lot that do body recomposition, skin rejuvenation, hair regrowth, etc., but I think their potential for truly deep healing means dismissing them as vanity supplements really misses the mark.
So far my own experience has been limited to a GLP-1 peptide called Retatrutide, which is touted as a weight loss peptide but is actually more like a healer of broken metabolisms. I plan on doing a few posts on specific peptides and I'll detail more on the details of GLP-1s in a later post. I've also just started taking a mitochondrial peptide called MOTS-C, but it's too early to give much of a report on it.
First off, what are peptides? The dictionary definition: Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds, which are the fundamental building blocks of proteins in the body. They typically consist of between two and 50 amino acids, although some definitions extend the upper limit to 100 amino acids. Peptides are distinct from proteins, which are longer chains of amino acids, often forming complex three-dimensional structures. The distinction between peptides and proteins can be somewhat arbitrary and context-dependent.
Peptides that are taken exogenously are generally ones the body uses as extracellular signaling molecules, hormones and neurotransmitters and can regulate processes like metabolism, tissue regeneration and immune response. Lots of biologically active substrates we already know about and supplement with are actually peptides, like insulin, glutathione, ghrelin, oxytocin, vasopressin, etc.
By taking a peptide, you're inserting a signal into the body; a signal it already has the potential to send itself. Therefore, every effect a peptide is able to have on the body is something the body already has the potential to do. By introducing a signal, rather than just triggering one biological effect, it often sets in motion a whole cascade of effects.
As such, very few peptides are 'one-trick poneys'. They tend to activate entire pathways that have multiple downstream effects, not targeting specific reactions like many drugs or nutrients do (not all). This is why you tend to see the list of benefits for a peptide be wide-ranging and sometimes seemingly unrelated. The signals one is sending with peptide therapies are like telling the body to activate an overall state rather than small tweaks to downstream reactions.
And while individual peptides can have multiple benefits, people often take more than one. In many cases there are synergistic effects between multiple peptides that go above and beyond what the individual peptides can do. People call this as 'stacking' peptides, or refer to 'peptide stacks'.
Pros of Peptide Therapies:
* From what I can tell, they're very effective and deliver on their promises; the caveat here being that I only have limited personal experience with one peptide (and starting a second). But there are lots of anecdotal reports out there, some of which are coming from practitioners who have worked with thousands of clients collectively. Some things undoubtedly get over-hyped (as with all health protocols), and individual results are obviously going to be varied. But as a general rule, peptides seem to do what they're supposed to do.
* Peptides are like sets of instructions for processes our bodies are generally not using or are using in a limited way (reasons for this aren't really known, but looking at our current environment will probably yield some theories, not even getting into the esoteric nature of our reality). They're not pharmaceuticals which tend to strong-arm outcomes through force by blunting, breaking or circumventing pathways, often leading to side effects (NOTE: I'm not saying pharmaceuticals are bad, this is just to highlight how peptides are different). They're also not like vitamins, minerals or nutraceuticals which tend to flood the body with substrates to encourage particular outcomes (in some cases they work by other mechanisms, of course). I think of peptides as working at a higher order within the system, like managing rather than micromanaging.
*There is quite a bit of research out there. Some of these peptides have been studied for decades, while others are relatively new, and the research will reflect that.
* To speak generally, there's a very good safety profile for the majority of peptides. Side effects are usually minimal, in some cases non-existent. But obviously each case varies and needs to be researched!
Cons of Peptide Therapies:
* The major stumbling block is access: peptides are either expensive or difficult to get. Getting peptides through resellers in the West is generally safe as long as they're testing them (and they should be willing to provide test results) but even this is not entirely without risk, obviously. This option is expensive, however, as mark-ups can be astronomical. Alternatively, to get them cheap means getting them through the Chinese grey-market which requires a lot of know-how: you're usually dealing in crypto, which has its own steep learning curve (although it is possible to find sellers that will take WISE transfers or in rare cases even Paypal); you may find yourself navigating Discord servers, Telegram and Whatsapp channels and somewhat dodgy steroid and peptide forums; and on top of all this, the space is littered with scammers. It's high risk and not for the feint-of-heart. It's not impossible but requires some determination.
* While there are small number oral peptides, most require sub-cutaneous self-injection. This isn't too difficult to learn to do and the pain is really quite minimal, but it will no doubt pose a major stumbling block for some people. It also requires equipment and hygiene procedures for safety.
* The injectable peptides come as powders in vials which need to be reconstituted with bacteriostatic water (water with a tiny amount of benzoic acid to sterilize). There's a bit of a learning curve here, but it's nothing too complicated. I thought I should mention it though, because it is more involved than just popping a pill.
* Misinfo - finding good reliable information on peptides is challenging. The peptide space is loaded with 'influencers' who all just tend to parrot each other, so the wrong information can spread fast. I've been following a few people on YouTube who are experienced (practitioners working directly with patients) and/or who cite research studies. Bodybuilder channels can have a lot of great info, going into autistic-level detail on mechanisms of action, but one has to keep in mind that many of them are coming at it from the goal of strength and physical appearance and not necessarily overall health. (As an aside, I think we owe a lot to the bodybuilder community since they fearlessly experiment on themselves with new supplements, compounds, medications, therapies, etc. If you hear about a "new" supplement, chances are you can find bodybuilders who have been using it for years and can tell you the ins and outs of it). Fortunately, as I said, there are a lot of studies out there and answers can often be a Pubmed search away.
That wraps up the general introduction. I'll do a few posts on specific peptides or groups of peptides soon. But if anyone has anything to add or experiences with peptides, this seems like a good place to post them!
