Gut Health
Research compounds studied for gut lining repair, intestinal permeability reduction, and inflammatory bowel conditions. Many effective via oral route - no injections required.
Most researched for Gut Health
BPC-157
The most referenced gut healing peptide with a unique advantage: it survives digestion and acts directly on the gut lining when taken orally. Research shows accelerated healing of gastric ulcers, intestinal fistulas, and IBD-related damage. The oral route makes it the most accessible entry point for gut health research - no injections needed for gut-specific applications.
VIP
aka Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Aviptadil, PHM-27
VIP is an endogenous peptide of 28 amino acids belonging to the secretin-glucagon family. It acts as a vasodilator, neurotransmitter, and immune modulator, and it regulates smooth muscle relaxation, glandular secretion, and circadian rhythm. Its synthetic counterpart aviptadil has been investigated for acute respiratory distress and other pulmonary conditions. VIP itself is not an approved therapy.
How it works: It binds the VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors, raising intracellular cyclic AMP and driving vasodilation and smooth muscle relaxation.
Vasodilation; ARDS research; pulmonary hypertension research; circadian regulation
Research dose
50-200 pmol/kg/min (IV); or 50–200 mcg SubQ, Variable by indication
Real-world (reported)
100 mcg SubQ 1×/day — extremely limited community protocol. Most use via clinic/IV administration.
Administration
SubQ / IV (clinical)
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
Per protocol
Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.
Common side effects: Hypotension; flushing; diarrhea
Community take: [ANECDOTAL] Very limited community experience due to instability and dosing complexity. Used by some POTS/dysautonomia community with reported benefit.
- Onset
- Variable by indication
- Half-life
- Approximately 2 minutes
- Storage
- Dry: Freeze –20°C; very labile; protect from all light and heat · Reconstituted: Refrigerate; use IMMEDIATELY after reconstitution; discard remaining
- Reconstitution
- Add 1 mL BAC water to 0.2 mg vial; very low doses used
- Rare side effects
- Significant hypotension; bronchospasm (rare); rapid degradation → use within minutes
- Contraindications
- Hypotension; cardiovascular disease; pregnancy; Severe hypotension or hemodynamic instability; Decompensated heart failure (risk of further vasodilation and fluid shifts); Pregnancy (insufficient safety data; VIP has roles in reproductive biology that; Antihypertensive medications (ACE inhibitors; ARBs; calcium channel blockers; be
- Drug interactions
- Antihypertensives (additive hypotension)
- Recommended bloodwork
- BP and HR monitoring; cardiac evaluation baseline
- Stacks well with
- BPC-157: GI healing complement. SS-31: mitochondrial/cardiac synergy.
- Secondary uses
- GI motility; neuroprotection; anti-inflammatory; sleep regulation
- Legal status
- Investigational
- Typical price
- $100–$500 / 0.2 mg (limited supply)
- Research evidence
- Human trials - phase 2 or 3
- Indications
- Pulmonary hypertension research; Neuroprotection studies; Inflammatory bowel disease research; Circadian biology research
- Chemical data
- CAS 37221-79-7 · C147H237N43O43S1 · 3326.8 Da
- Amino acids
- 111 aa
Key risk: Marked hypotension from potent vasodilation when given systemically.
LL-37
aka Human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, hCAP-18, CAMP gene product
LL-37 is the only human cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptide, a 37 amino acid molecule made by epithelial cells and various white blood cells. It disrupts the membranes of bacteria and other microbes and also shapes the innate immune response, drawing in immune cells and aiding wound repair. It has been studied mainly for infection defense, chronic wound healing, and, in small trials, as a local agent injected into melanoma.
How it works: It punctures microbial membranes and also modulates the innate immune response, recruiting immune cells and supporting tissue repair.
Antimicrobial defense; wound healing; immune modulation; melanoma research; inflammatory skin disease
Research dose
0.1-1 mg, Variable; 1–3×/day or every other day
Real-world (reported)
Very limited community protocols — 0.25–0.5 mg SubQ daily or 3×/week.
Administration
SubQ / Topical
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
4–8 weeks
Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.
Common side effects: Injection site skin reactions; local inflammation; dermatologic toxicity
Community take: [ANECDOTAL] Very limited gray-market use. Niche antimicrobial/immune application. Most community experience from wound healing application.
- Onset
- Antimicrobial effects rapid; immune modulation 1–4 wks
- Half-life
- Not established in humans
- Storage
- Dry: Fridge 2–8°C; freeze long-term; very light and heat sensitive · Reconstituted: Refrigerate; use within 14 days (less stable than most)
- Reconstitution
- Add 1 mL BAC water to 1 mg vial = 1 mg/mL
- Rare side effects
- Pro-inflammatory effects at high systemic doses; cytokine storm potential (theoretical)
- Contraindications
- Active autoimmune disease; pregnancy; cancer (angiogenic potential); Active psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (LL-37 forms complexes with self-DNA/RNA; Systemic lupus erythematosus or NET-driven autoimmune conditions; Active rosacea (cathelicidin dysregulation is implicated in rosacea pathogenesis; Mast cell-mediated disorders or history of anaphylactoid reactions
- Drug interactions
- Immunosuppressants
- Recommended bloodwork
- CBC; CRP; cytokine panel if concerns
- Stacks well with
- KPV: gut healing combo. BPC-157: wound healing stack.
- Secondary uses
- Anti-inflammatory; anti-biofilm; potential anti-cancer
- Legal status
- Investigational
- Typical price
- $50–$150 / 1 mg vial
- Research evidence
- Human trials - early or small
- Indications
- Antimicrobial peptide research; Innate immunity and host defense studies; Wound healing and tissue repair investigations; Anti-biofilm research
- Chemical data
- CAS 154947-66-7 · C205H340N60O53 · 4493.4 Da
- Amino acids
- 37 aa
Key risk: Local dermatologic toxicity, including skin reactions, has been reported when it is injected into lesions.
Larazotide
aka AT-1001, INN-202
Larazotide acetate is an orally administered peptide that acts locally in the gut as a tight-junction regulator, aiming to reduce the intestinal permeability triggered by gluten in celiac disease. It was studied as an add-on to a gluten-free diet. It reached a phase 3 trial, which was terminated after an interim analysis indicated the study was unlikely to show benefit. It is not approved by any regulatory agency.
How it works: It acts locally in the intestine to tighten epithelial junctions and reduce gluten-induced permeability.
Celiac disease research; intestinal permeability; gut barrier support
Research dose
0.25-2 mg, 3×/day before meals
Real-world (reported)
0.5–1 mg oral 3×/day before meals. Cycle 8–12 wks.
Administration
Oral
Timing
Before each meal
Cycle length
8–12 weeks
Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.
Common side effects: Nausea; abdominal pain; headache; upper respiratory symptoms
Community take: [ANECDOTAL] Growing use for leaky gut, food sensitivities, celiac. Phase 2 data reassuring.
- Onset
- Gut permeability improvement 2–4 wks
- Half-life
- Not established in humans
- Storage
- Dry: Room temperature; dry
- Reconstitution
- N/A (oral)
- Rare side effects
- Limited long-term data beyond Phase 2
- Contraindications
- Active gut obstruction; pregnancy; Not established -- larazotide is investigational with no formal contraindication; Patients without confirmed celiac disease were not studied and should not extrap; No drug-drug interactions have been identified. Larazotide acts locally in the g
- Drug interactions
- No significant interactions
- Recommended bloodwork
- Intestinal permeability (lactulose/mannitol); stool zonulin; GI symptoms; calprotectin
- Stacks well with
- BPC-157: leaky gut synergy. KPV: anti-inflammatory gut complement.
- Secondary uses
- IBD; food sensitivity; systemic inflammatory conditions from gut permeability
- Legal status
- Withdrawn From Market
- Typical price
- $40–$100 / month supply
- Research evidence
- Human trials - phase 2 or 3
- Indications
- Adjunctive treatment for celiac disease symptoms despite gluten-free diet; Reduction of intestinal permeability (investigational); Potential applications in other conditions involving tight junction dysfunction
- Chemical data
- CAS 881851-50-9 · C34H59N9O12 · 785.9 Da
- Amino acids
- 47 aa
KPV
aka Lys-Pro-Val, alpha-MSH (11-13)
KPV is a tripeptide made of lysine, proline, and valine that corresponds to the three C-terminal residues of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. In cell and animal studies it shows anti-inflammatory activity, entering intestinal and immune cells through the PepT1 transporter and dampening inflammatory signaling. It has been studied mainly in models of colitis and is not an approved therapy.
How it works: It enters cells through the PepT1 transporter and suppresses NF-kB and MAP kinase signaling, lowering pro-inflammatory cytokine release.
Intestinal inflammation; inflammatory bowel disease; immune modulation; wound healing research
Research dose
250-1000 mcg, Once or twice daily
Real-world (reported)
500 mcg oral or SubQ daily for GI. SubQ for systemic anti-inflammatory.
Administration
SubQ / Oral
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
4–8 weeks
Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.
Common side effects: Not established
Community take: [ANECDOTAL] Growing use for IBD, leaky gut, Crohn's. Oral route popular for GI targeting. 'BPC-157 for the gut but with immune modulation added.'
- Onset
- GI effects within days; anti-inflammatory effects 1–2 wks
- Half-life
- Not established in humans
- Storage
- Dry: Fridge 2–8°C; freeze long-term · Reconstituted: Refrigerate; use within 28 days
- Reconstitution
- Add 1 mL BAC water to 1 mg vial = 1 mg/mL; 500 mcg dose = 50 IU
- Rare side effects
- Limited long-term human safety data
- Contraindications
- Active malignancy (MC1R expressed in melanoma); pregnancy; Immunosuppressed states (theoretical - NF-kB inhibition may further compromise i; Pregnancy (no reproductive or developmental toxicity data available)Frequency di; Immunosuppressants (theoretical additive immunosuppression through overlapping N; NF-kB pathway drugs (theoretical pharmacodynamic interaction with agents targeti
- Drug interactions
- No significant documented interactions
- Recommended bloodwork
- GI symptom assessment (IBD activity scores); CRP; stool biomarkers (calprotectin)
- Stacks well with
- BPC-157: gut healing stack. LL-37: antimicrobial complement for gut infections.
- Secondary uses
- Wound healing; skin inflammation; immune modulation
- Legal status
- Preclinical Research
- Typical price
- $30–$60 / 1 mg vial
- Research evidence
- Animal studies only
- Indications
- Inflammatory bowel disease research; Mucosal inflammation studies; Gut barrier function research; Anti-inflammatory peptide research
- Chemical data
- CAS 67727-97-3 · C16H30N4O4 · 342.4 Da
- Amino acids
- 11 aa
BPC-157
aka Body Protection Compound-157, Stable gastric pentadecapeptide, Bepecin
BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide of fifteen amino acids derived from a protective protein found in human gastric juice. In animal models it appears to speed tissue repair by promoting new blood vessel formation and modulating inflammation and growth-factor signaling. It is studied mainly for tendon, ligament, and gastrointestinal healing. It is not approved by any regulator, and human evidence remains very limited.
How it works: It is thought to speed healing by promoting blood vessel formation and modulating inflammatory and growth-factor pathways, based mainly on animal data.
Tendon healing; ligament repair; gastrointestinal healing; wound healing; neuroprotection research
Research dose
10-10 ng/kg, or 10 µg/kg, Once or twice daily (oral)
Real-world (reported)
500 mcg oral 1–2×/day. Can swallow injectable powder. Fasted for broader systemic; with meals for GI mucosal.
Administration
Peroral (drinking water) or intraperitoneal injection
Timing
Fasted for systemic attempt; with meals for GI mucosal targeting
Cycle length
4–12 weeks
Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.
Common side effects: Not established
Community take: [ANECDOTAL] Very popular oral form for GI. Community: oral = GI targeting; SubQ = systemic. Many use both simultaneously.
- Onset
- GI improvement 1–2 wks; mucosal healing 4–8 wks
- Half-life
- Not established in humans
- Storage
- Dry: Capsules: room temp; dry. Loose powder: fridge. · Reconstituted: N/A once swallowed
- Reconstitution
- Injectable powder swallowable (stable in stomach acid) or use pre-formulated capsules
- Rare side effects
- Same theoretical tumor concern as injectable; no oral-specific serious adverse events
- Contraindications
- Active malignancy; pregnancy; same as injectable
- Drug interactions
- No significant interactions
- Recommended bloodwork
- GI symptom assessments; stool calprotectin; CRP
- Stacks well with
- KPV: anti-inflammatory gut synergy. Larazotide: tight junction complement.
- Secondary uses
- Systemic healing via oral (debated efficacy vs SubQ for non-GI targets)
- Legal status
- US: Research use only; PCAC July 2026 (same compound) · UK: Legal for research · Canada: Legal research chemical · Australia: Schedule 4 · EU: Unregulated
- Typical price
- $30–$60 / 30-cap bottle (500 mcg each)
- Research evidence
- Animal studies only
- Chemical data
- CAS 137525-51-0 · C62H98N16O22 · 1419.5
Example stacks
Gut Health - Beginner
Oral BPC-157 is the most accessible gut healing protocol - no injection required. Survives digestion and acts directly on the gut lining.
- • Take on empty stomach - 30 min before food or 2 hrs after
- • Keep a symptom diary
- • Be patient - improvements start at 3-4 weeks
Gut Health - Intermediate
BPC-157 repairs the gut lining while KPV targets inflammatory signaling. Both oral - a fully injectable-free protocol.
- • Take BPC-157 fasted and KPV any time
- • KPV is especially useful for IBD and autoimmune component
- • Eliminate known dietary triggers
Community outcome data
Collected from users researching this goal. Not a clinical database - for general reference only.
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For educational and research purposes only. Not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any research compound.