Peptide therapy involves administering specific peptides or protein fragments to patients to promote various beneficial effects in the body. Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as signaling molecules and influence various physiological processes. Some key ways peptide therapy works:
- Promotes tissue repair and healing: Certain peptides like thymosin beta-4, BPC-157, and Epithalon can accelerate wound closure, reduce inflammation, and stimulate regeneration of tissues like skin, muscles, bones, and nerves when injured. This helps recovery from injuries, surgery, or age-related tissue deterioration.
- Builds muscle: Peptides like follistatin, MYO-029, AWA compounds (non-methylated IGF-1) and Pentadecapeptide BPC-157 can stimulate muscle growth, differentiation and repair. They may be used to counteract muscle loss from aging or illnesses.
- Enhances energy and wellbeing: Peptides like Epithalon, Semax, Selank, DSIP and others influence neurotransmitter activity and hormone levels to reduce anxiety and stress, improve sleep quality, enhance motivation and elevate mood. This leads to better energy levels and sense of wellness.
- Anti-aging benefits: Certain peptides can extend lifespan in animal models. For example, Epithalon helps regulate melatonin and other hormones to slow down aging. Thymalin peptide rejuvenates the thymus gland involved in immune function. Overall, peptide therapy may counter various degenerative changes related to aging.
- Supports weight loss: Peptides that regulate appetite signaling (AOD9604), stimulate lipolysis (CJC-1295) or enable the selective breakdown of fat tissue over muscle (AOD9604) may aid weight loss efforts, especially when combined with lifestyle measures.
- Enhances sexual health: Peptides like Bremelanotide (also called PT-141) mimic the action of α-MSH, a hormone that arouses sexual desire and enhances sexual performance. This can help manage erectile dysfunction or low libido.
- Improves skin health: Peptide complexes like copper peptides (GHK-Cu) support skin repair and collagen production leading to improved skin texture, elasticity and appearance. Melanotan II stimulates melanin production to induce tanning and protect skin from sun damage.
- Supports gut health: Some peptide formulations contain amino acid sequences from glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1 and GLP-2) that improve gut barrier integrity, enhance nutrient absorption and reduce inflammation or discomfort in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
Administration methods
There are various ways to administer peptide therapy:
- Subcutaneous injections
- Oral peptides
- Topical peptide serums, gels and creams
- Nasal sprays
The most suitable method depends on the peptide type and purpose of treatment. Injections allow maximum absorption but gels, pills or sprays may be more convenient.
In conclusion, peptide therapy aims to promote healing, tissue regeneration, weight loss, sexual health, skin and gut health by using signaling molecules that occur naturally in the body. It is being extensively studied for various medical applications due to peptides' safety profile and targeted effects. However, more large-scale human trials are needed to standardize protocols. When administered correctly under medical guidance, peptide treatment can benefit patients with chronic illnesses or age-related functional deterioration.
