Bodybuilding Peptides
31Growth hormone secretagogues, IGF-1 variants, and myostatin inhibitors are among the most researched peptides in the bodybuilding community. These compounds are studied for their potential effects on lean muscle mass, recovery time, and body composition. Below you'll find every peptide in our database that has been researched in the context of muscle growth and athletic performance.
ACE-031
An experimental drug that acts as a 'decoy' to intercept myostatin and other muscle-limiting signals before they reach your muscles. It produced rapid muscle gains in clinical trials without any exercise. However, development was halted because it also accidentally blocked signals needed to maintain healthy blood vessels, causing nosebleeds and visible broken blood vessels. A powerful proof-of-concept that myostatin blocking works, but too dangerous in its current form.
AICAR
A natural compound that activates your cells' energy sensor — the same pathway that turns on during exercise. Mimics the metabolic effects of endurance exercise at the cellular level, helping with fat burning, glucose uptake, and building more mitochondria. Banned by WADA as a metabolic modulator after detection in professional cycling.
BPC-157
A healing compound made from a protein found in stomach fluid. It's the most studied peptide for tissue repair, with research showing it helps heal tendons, ligaments, muscles, the gut, and other organs. It's stable enough to survive stomach acid, so you can take it either by injection under the skin or by mouth.
BPC-157 + TB-500
A two-in-one product that pairs BPC-157 and TB-500 to target different healing pathways. BPC-157 focuses on gut, tendon, and ligament repair by supporting blood vessel growth and nitric oxide signaling, while TB-500 helps cells move to injury sites for body-wide tissue repair. The most popular peptide combination for healing and recovery.
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
One of the most popular growth hormone peptides, often called Mod GRF 1-29. Instead of injecting growth hormone directly, this tells your pituitary gland to release more of its own GH naturally. This is considered healthier than injecting GH directly because your body keeps its normal feedback systems intact. Usually combined with Ipamorelin for much stronger effects — the two work together better than either alone.
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin
The most commonly prescribed peptide combination in anti-aging and regenerative medicine. Pairs the GHRH analogue CJC-1295 (Mod GRF 1-29) with the selective ghrelin-mimetic Ipamorelin for synergistic, pulsatile growth hormone release. Exploits two complementary signaling pathways — cAMP (GHRH) and calcium/PLC (ghrelin receptor) — to amplify GH pulses while maintaining minimal side effects.
CJC-1295 with DAC
The long-acting version of CJC-1295. After injection it attaches to a protein in your blood (albumin), which keeps it active for nearly a week instead of just 30 minutes. This means you only need to inject once a week. The trade-off is that it keeps growth hormone elevated constantly rather than in natural pulses, which some practitioners consider less ideal for your body. More convenient but potentially less natural than the no-DAC version.
Enclomiphene
A medication that boosts natural testosterone production by blocking estrogen's feedback signal in the brain. Used in men's health clinics as an alternative to testosterone shots that preserves fertility and testicular function. Unlike mixed clomiphene (Clomid), enclomiphene lacks the estrogen-like component (zuclomiphene) that causes many of clomiphene's side effects.
EPO
A hormone your kidneys make that tells your bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. More red blood cells means more oxygen-carrying capacity in your blood. Used to treat anemia from kidney disease, chemotherapy, or blood loss. Notorious for abuse in endurance sports — cyclists and runners have used it to boost performance because it dramatically increases oxygen delivery.
Follistatin
A natural protein that blocks myostatin — your body's built-in limit on how much muscle you can grow. Think of myostatin as the 'brake pedal' for muscle growth; follistatin takes that brake off, allowing muscles to grow beyond their normal limit. This is the same mechanism behind those incredibly muscular cattle breeds. Available as FS344 (the most common form). Short cycles are recommended because it also affects fertility hormones.
GDF-8 (Myostatin)
Your body's built-in limit on muscle size. Myostatin is the protein that tells your muscles 'stop growing' — it's the brake, not the accelerator. Included here because it's the target that drugs like follistatin and ACE-031 try to block. When this protein doesn't work (due to genetic mutations), the result is extraordinary muscle development — seen in certain cattle breeds, racing dogs, and at least one documented human case. Blocking myostatin is one of the most researched goals in muscle science.
GHRP-2
The second most powerful growth hormone peptide after Hexarelin, but with a better balance of effectiveness vs side effects. It boosts GH strongly while only moderately raising cortisol and prolactin — a good middle ground. Extensively studied in Japanese clinical trials, making it one of the best-understood GH peptides. Also shows stomach-protective properties in animal studies. Often combined with CJC-1295 for stronger results.
GHRP-6
One of the oldest growth hormone peptides, developed in the 1980s. Known for strong GH release but also extreme hunger — it makes you ravenous within 20-30 minutes of injection. This makes it bad for fat loss but potentially useful for people who need to gain weight or struggle with appetite. Research on this peptide actually led to the discovery of ghrelin (the hunger hormone) itself. Also shows protective effects on the heart, liver, and stomach lining.
Gonadorelin
A lab-made copy of the hormone your brain naturally releases to tell your body to make reproductive hormones. When given in short pulses (not continuously), it signals the pituitary gland to release hormones that keep the testes working. Used for fertility treatment, diagnosing hormone problems, and keeping testicular function and sperm production going during testosterone therapy.
HCG
A hormone your body makes during pregnancy that acts like the hormone that tells the testes to produce testosterone and sperm. Used to treat low testosterone and fertility issues. Commonly used by men on testosterone therapy to keep their testes working and sperm production going, and by bodybuilders after steroid cycles to help their hormones recover.
Hexarelin
The most powerful growth hormone releasing peptide available — it triggers the biggest GH spike of any GHRP. Also uniquely protective for the heart, which has made it interesting for cardiac research. The downside is that its potency comes with more side effects than gentler options like Ipamorelin: it raises cortisol (stress hormone) and prolactin more than any other GHRP, and your body builds tolerance within 2-4 weeks, requiring cycling.
HGH 191AA
Synthetic human growth hormone, identical to what your body naturally produces. FDA-approved for growth hormone deficiency and sold under brand names like Norditropin and Genotropin. Widely used in anti-aging medicine and bodybuilding because it helps build muscle, burn fat, speed up recovery, and improve skin and sleep quality. One of the most well-studied performance peptides available.
HMG
A fertility medication made from hormones extracted from postmenopausal women's urine. It contains both the hormones that stimulate egg development in women and sperm production in men. Used for fertility treatment in both sexes. Some bodybuilders also use it after steroid cycles to help their natural hormone production bounce back.
IGF-1
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 — the 70-amino-acid peptide hormone that serves as the primary mediator of growth hormone's anabolic effects throughout the body. Produced mainly by the liver in response to GH signaling, IGF-1 drives protein synthesis, cell proliferation, and tissue growth. FDA-approved as Increlex for primary IGF-1 deficiency, with off-label use in bodybuilding and anti-aging for its potent anabolic and recovery-enhancing properties.
IGF-1 LR3
A supercharged version of IGF-1 (a key growth factor your liver produces in response to growth hormone). Modified to stay active much longer and avoid being deactivated by binding proteins. One of the most powerful muscle-building peptides available — it can actually create new muscle cells, not just make existing ones bigger. However, this potency comes with serious risks including dangerously low blood sugar and potential tumour promotion.
IGF-DES
A naturally occurring short-acting form of IGF-1. Because it acts so briefly (20-30 minutes), it's used for targeted muscle growth by injecting directly into specific muscles you want to grow. Think of it as a precision tool compared to IGF-1 LR3's system-wide approach. The intense but brief signal activates muscle stem cells locally. Requires precise timing around workouts to be effective.
Insulin
The most powerful muscle-building hormone in your body — it drives nutrients (sugar, amino acids) directly into muscle cells. FDA-approved and essential for diabetes management. In bodybuilding, it's used for extreme muscle growth by forcing nutrients into muscles after workouts. However, it is the single most dangerous compound used in performance enhancement — a dosing error can cause seizures, brain damage, coma, or death within hours. The margin between an effective dose and a lethal dose is very small.
Ipamorelin
Considered the safest and most beginner-friendly growth hormone peptide. It stimulates your body to release more growth hormone without the unwanted side effects (hunger spikes, stress hormone increases) that come with older GH peptides. This clean profile makes it the most commonly prescribed GH peptide in anti-aging clinics. Usually the recommended starting point for anyone new to peptide therapy, and often combined with CJC-1295 for stronger results.
MGF
A natural 'first responder' peptide that your muscles produce when they're damaged by exercise. It activates dormant muscle stem cells and kickstarts the repair process. Think of it as the signal that tells your body to start rebuilding after a workout. The problem is it only lasts 5-7 minutes in the body, making it extremely impractical — which is why the longer-lasting PEG-MGF version exists.
MK-677
The only growth hormone booster you can take as a pill instead of injecting. Also known as Ibutamoren, it mimics the hunger hormone ghrelin to trigger GH release. Very popular because of the convenience — just swallow a capsule once daily. The major downside is a significant increase in appetite (you will feel hungry), and it stays active for 24 hours so the effects don't switch off. Studied for muscle wasting and bone density but never completed FDA approval.
PEG-MGF
The practical, longer-lasting version of MGF. A protective coating (PEG) extends its life from 5 minutes to several hours, making it actually usable. Unlike native MGF which only works where you inject it, PEG-MGF spreads through your body and activates muscle stem cells in multiple muscle groups at once. The most realistic option for anyone interested in MGF's muscle repair benefits.
Sermorelin
One of the safest and most studied growth hormone peptides, with the longest track record in clinical use. It was actually FDA-approved (as Geref) for children with growth hormone deficiency before being discontinued for business reasons, not safety concerns. Like CJC-1295, it tells your pituitary to release its own growth hormone naturally. Popular in anti-aging medicine as a gentle, well-understood option.
SLU-PP-332
A compound developed at Washington University that activates estrogen-related receptor alpha. A next-generation exercise mimetic that enhances endurance and promotes slow-twitch muscle fiber transformation through a different mechanism than AICAR. Activates the same gene programs that endurance training induces, including mitochondrial growth and fat-burning metabolism.
TB-500
A naturally occurring peptide found in nearly all human cells that helps cells move and rebuild. It plays a key role in tissue repair, new blood vessel growth, and calming inflammation. One of the most powerful wound-healing peptides identified, with strong results in heart, skin, and eye repair.
Tesamorelin
The only growth hormone peptide with active FDA approval — sold as Egrifta for reducing dangerous belly fat (visceral fat) in HIV patients. It's especially effective at targeting the deep fat around your organs, which is the most harmful type. Widely used off-label by people wanting to improve body composition, reduce belly fat, and address fatty liver. In trials it reduced trunk fat by 15-18%.
Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin
A popular combination pairing Tesamorelin (FDA-approved for certain conditions) with Ipamorelin to boost growth hormone. Favored for improving body composition, reducing belly fat, and anti-aging. Tesamorelin has proven effectiveness for visceral fat reduction, and Ipamorelin has a clean side-effect profile, making this a premium GH peptide protocol.