Browse the complete head-to-head index, see how each pair ranks on human evidence, and open the full deep-dive before you buy, follow a protocol, or trust a vendor.
Each row cites the same evidence documented in our individual research summaries and peptide guides. Use this table to set accurate expectations before spending money on protocols, supplements, or vendor stacks.
| Peptide | Primary use cases | Evidence strength (human) | Evidence strength (animal / preclinical) | FDA status | WADA status | Risk profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide / Tirzepatide (GLP-1) | Weight loss, glycemic control | Strong — large RCTs (STEP, SURMOUNT) | Supportive | Approved (Wegovy, Zepbound) | Not prohibited (masking-rule considerations) | GI effects, pancreatitis, thyroid C-cell warning |
| BPC-157 | Tissue repair, gut healing | None — zero RCTs as of 2026 | Extensive (rodent) | Not approved; excluded from 503A compounding | Prohibited (S0) | Unknown long-term; no human safety data |
| TB-500 (Thymosin β-4) | Wound healing, tissue repair, cardioprotection | None | Moderate | Orphan drug (corneal / ophthalmic); otherwise not approved | Prohibited (S0) | Limited human safety; prohibited in sport |
| GHK-Cu | Skin rejuvenation, wound healing | Moderate for topical (Finkley 2007, Margolina / Pickart) | Supportive | Cosmetic / GRAS topical; injectable unproven | Not listed | Topical well-tolerated; injectable speculative |
| Retatrutide | Weight loss (investigational) | Phase II complete, Phase III ongoing | Not the relevant tier | Investigational only | Not yet listed | Limited long-term data; hype outpaces evidence |
| CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin (GHS) | Growth hormone secretion | Limited | Mechanistic | Not approved | Prohibited (S2) | Off-label; dosing unvalidated |
| Sermorelin (GHRF) | Adult GH-pulse amplification, anti-aging (off-label) | Limited | Mechanistic | Withdrawn from US market 2008; no adult longevity indication | Prohibited (S2) | Off-label; pediatric diagnostic only |
| Selank / Semax | Cognitive, anxiolytic | Limited (mostly Russian literature) | Moderate | Not approved | Not listed | Regulatory gray-market only |
Evidence tiers and regulatory status summarized from PeptideDecoded research summaries (BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu) and individual guides (GLP-1, BPC-157, GHK-Cu).
"Evidence strength" is the most important column. Two peptides can share a use case while having radically different evidence behind that use case. This table distinguishes the four evidence tiers we use across all PeptideDecoded content:
WADA status matters if you compete. Several peptides here are explicitly prohibited at all times (S0 category) — meaning in-competition and out-of-competition use both count as violations. Others aren't listed yet but face ongoing review. Athletes subject to testing should treat unlisted compounds as a gray area, not a green light. See our WADA Peptide List 2026 for the full breakdown.
For deeper context on how to evaluate any peptide claim — peer review, COI checks, red flags, and a 5-question pre-purchase checklist — see How to Verify Peptide Claims and our Editorial Standards.
When two peptides overlap on use case, mechanism, or risk, open the dedicated side-by-side page for a verifiable claims table, mechanistic / dosing / risk matrix, and an evidence-tier-grounded verdict.
BPC-157's local NO / angiogenic animal evidence versus Ipamorelin's selective GH-secretagogue pharmacodynamics. Neither has human efficacy RCTs for the recovery, body-composition, or anti-aging uses driving online interest.
BPC-157 remains animal-only, while GHK-Cu has moderate human evidence for topical skin endpoints. Injectable GHK-Cu remains unproven, making the delivery route central to the verdict.
Two healing peptides with overlapping but non-identical preclinical trails: BPC-157's NO / growth-factor signaling versus TB-500's actin-driven cell migration. Both lack human RCTs for musculoskeletal use.
TB-500's systemic wound-healing and cell-migration animal evidence versus Ipamorelin's limited human GH-axis pharmacodynamic anchor. Neither has human efficacy RCTs for the marketed recovery, body-composition, or anti-aging uses.
TB-500's systemic tissue-repair mechanism is supported by animal evidence only; GHK-Cu has topical human RCT support for skin endpoints, while injectable use remains unproven.
GH-axis secretagogue versus copper tripeptide: GHK-Cu's moderate human evidence is route-specific to topical skin endpoints, while Ipamorelin has no human efficacy RCTs for body composition or anti-aging.
Both GH-axis peptides have controlled human pharmacodynamic evidence for GH release, but neither has a human efficacy RCT for the body-composition, recovery, sleep, or anti-aging outcomes driving online interest.
Long-acting GHRH analog versus selective ghrelin-receptor agonist: different GH-axis receptors and half-life profiles, but zero human efficacy RCTs for adult anti-aging, body-composition, or sleep claims.
Two GHRH-receptor analogs with different half-life profiles. Human evidence is limited to pharmacodynamic or diagnostic-stimulation findings, not efficacy RCTs for adult anti-aging or body-composition claims.
BPC-157's local wound-healing and NO-pathway animal evidence contrasts with Sermorelin's narrow human GH-pulse pharmacodynamic trail. Neither has efficacy data for the adult anti-aging outcomes driving the stack framing.
Three honest starting points based on where you are in the evaluation process. None of them requires sharing an email or trusting a vendor.
You're interested in FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide) — the only peptide class with strong human RCT evidence for weight loss and glycemic control.
See GLP-1 Decoded → $37 — full evidence + decision frameworkYou're skeptical of marketing claims and want a structured way to read studies, identify red flags, and assess any peptide before spending money or trusting a vendor.
Get the Decoder Kit → $27 — 8-module research literacy kitYou want detailed, evidence-grounded breakdowns for BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, GLP-1, Ipamorelin, Sermorelin, and CJC-1295 in one bundle — including mechanism, human evidence gaps, vendor red flags, and sourcing questions.
Get the Full Library → $67 — all seven guide PDFs Add the Weekly Digest →This comparison table is a research summary, not medical advice. PeptideDecoded does not sell peptides, recommend vendors, provide dosing protocols, or make claims about safety or efficacy for any specific individual.
Work with a qualified physician who can evaluate your full medical history, current medications, and individual risk factors before making any decision about peptides — whether FDA-approved, compounded, or sold as research chemicals.