Muscle Recovery

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are a class of medicines that mimic the incretin hormone GLP-1 to lower blood glucose and reduce appetite. The class includes approved agents such as exenatide, liraglutide, and semaglutide, used for type 2 diabetes and, for some agents, chronic weight management. This entry represents a drug class rather than a single molecule.

How it works: Members activate the GLP-1 receptor, enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite.

Type 2 diabetes; weight management; cardiovascular risk reduction

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide present in human plasma, where its levels decline with age. It binds copper and broadly influences gene expression, stimulating collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan production while supporting wound repair and antioxidant activity. It is widely used as a topical cosmetic ingredient and is also studied for wound healing and skin regeneration.

How it works: It delivers copper into tissue and modulates gene expression to stimulate collagen and other matrix proteins and support skin repair.

Wound healing; skin regeneration; collagen stimulation; anti-wrinkle research; antioxidant support

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Sermorelin, sold under the brand Geref, is a synthetic peptide identical to the first 29 amino acids of human growth hormone releasing hormone, the portion responsible for its activity. It binds GHRH receptors in the pituitary and stimulates the natural production and release of growth hormone. It was FDA approved for evaluating pituitary function and for growth hormone deficiency in children, but the branded product was later discontinued for commercial reasons.

How it works: It activates pituitary growth hormone releasing hormone receptors, prompting the gland to secrete growth hormone naturally.

Growth hormone deficiency; pituitary function testing; adult GH decline; body composition

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

MK-677, also called ibutamoren, is an orally active non-peptide compound that mimics the hormone ghrelin and acts as a growth hormone secretagogue. In human trials it raised growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels and increased fat-free mass. It is not a peptide and it is not approved for human use. Documented effects include increased appetite, fluid retention, and reduced insulin sensitivity.

How it works: It activates the ghrelin receptor in the pituitary and hypothalamus, stimulating release of the body's own growth hormone.

Growth hormone research; body composition; appetite research; bone density research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

GHRP-2, also called pralmorelin, is a synthetic peptide that mimics ghrelin and acts as a growth hormone secretagogue. It binds the growth hormone secretagogue receptor in the pituitary and hypothalamus to trigger release of growth hormone. It is approved in Japan as a single-dose diagnostic agent for growth hormone deficiency and is otherwise used as a research compound without broader approval.

How it works: It activates the growth hormone secretagogue receptor in the pituitary and hypothalamus to stimulate growth hormone release.

Growth hormone stimulation; GH deficiency diagnosis; appetite stimulation; body composition research; endocrine research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of a fragment of the hormone ACTH, modified with a Pro-Gly-Pro tail to resist rapid enzymatic breakdown. In laboratory and animal studies it raises brain levels of BDNF and NGF and influences monoamine signaling, and it is mainly studied for stroke recovery, cognition, and neuroprotection. It is registered and used in Russia for ischemic conditions but is not FDA approved.

How it works: It acts as a stabilised ACTH(4-7) fragment analog that raises brain BDNF and NGF and modulates monoamine signaling.

Ischemic stroke; cognitive function; neuroprotection; attention and focus

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

CJC-1295 without DAC, also called Modified GRF (1-29), is a synthetic analog of growth hormone releasing hormone made of its first 29 amino acids with substitutions that improve stability. It binds pituitary GHRH receptors and stimulates pulsatile release of growth hormone. Unlike the drug affinity complex version it lacks an albumin binding group and is short acting. It is used mainly as a research compound to study growth hormone secretion.

How it works: It binds pituitary receptors for growth hormone releasing hormone, prompting the gland to secrete growth hormone.

Growth hormone release; body composition; IGF-1 stimulation; recovery research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

GHRP-6 is a synthetic hexapeptide and growth hormone secretagogue that binds the ghrelin receptor in the pituitary and hypothalamus. By activating this receptor it triggers release of stored growth hormone and can also increase appetite. In laboratory and animal research it is studied mainly for growth hormone regulation, appetite signaling, and reported cytoprotective and cardioprotective effects.

How it works: It activates the ghrelin receptor in the pituitary and hypothalamus, prompting release of stored growth hormone.

Growth hormone release; appetite stimulation; pituitary function testing; cardioprotection research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

ACE-031 is a fusion protein linking the extracellular domain of the activin receptor type IIB to an antibody Fc region, forming a soluble decoy receptor. By trapping myostatin and related ligands before they reach signaling receptors, it aimed to reduce natural limits on muscle growth. It was tested in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but development was discontinued after safety findings.

How it works: It acts as a soluble decoy receptor that captures myostatin and related ligands before they can activate the receptors that restrain muscle growth.

Myostatin inhibition; muscle wasting research; muscular dystrophy studies; muscle preservation

Erythropoietin, marketed as epoetin alfa, is a recombinant version of the human hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. It is FDA approved to treat anemia associated with chronic kidney disease, certain chemotherapy, and zidovudine therapy in HIV, and to reduce transfusions around elective surgery. It carries a boxed warning for serious cardiovascular and thrombotic events.

How it works: It binds the erythropoietin receptor on erythroid progenitor cells, stimulating their proliferation into mature red blood cells.

Chronic kidney disease anemia; chemotherapy anemia; HIV-related anemia; perioperative transfusion reduction

Mechano Growth Factor is a splice variant of insulin-like growth factor 1, also called IGF-1Ec, produced in muscle in response to mechanical loading or damage. Laboratory and animal studies suggest it can promote proliferation and hypertrophy of stressed or injured muscle. Evidence in humans is minimal, and it is not an approved drug. It is a distinct molecule from the pegylated form PEG-MGF.

How it works: It is expressed after muscle mechanical stress and is thought to activate muscle satellite cells and support local repair.

Muscle repair research; muscle hypertrophy research; tissue regeneration

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

TLQP-21 is a peptide derived from the VGF precursor protein, named for its N-terminal residues. In rodent studies it modulates energy metabolism, feeding, lipolysis, stress responses, and pain and inflammatory signaling. It is reported to act mainly through the complement C3a receptor. It is an experimental research peptide with no human clinical data and no approved use.

How it works: It is a VGF-derived peptide acting largely at the complement C3a receptor, influencing metabolic, stress, and immune signaling.

Energy metabolism research; obesity research; stress and depression models; neuroimmune research

Pentadeca Arginate is an arginate-salt peptide structurally related to BPC-157, a synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a gastric protein sequence. It is an emerging tissue-repair research compound promoted for improved stability relative to BPC-157, but peer-reviewed studies on PDA itself are essentially absent. Reported repair-related activity derives largely from BPC-157 literature rather than from PDA-specific research.

How it works: It is proposed to support blood vessel formation and tissue repair through pathways described for BPC-157.

Tissue repair research; tendon recovery research; gastrointestinal repair research

PEG-MGF is a pegylated form of mechano growth factor, a peptide based on the IGF-1Ec splice variant that muscle produces after mechanical stress. The peptide is thought to activate muscle satellite cells and support repair, while the attached PEG group is intended to slow its breakdown. Published research on the pegylated form is very limited, and most data come from the native peptide studied in cells and animals.

How it works: It is a longer-acting form of a muscle IGF-1 splice variant peptide thought to activate muscle satellite cells and aid repair.

Muscle repair; satellite cell activation; muscle growth; tissue recovery

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Endomorphin-2 is an endogenous tetrapeptide that acts as a highly selective, high-affinity agonist of the mu-opioid receptor. It is concentrated in the spinal cord and lower brainstem and is studied as a potential analgesic and morphine alternative. It is rapidly degraded by peptidases, limiting drug development, and as a mu-opioid agonist it carries opioid-type safety risks.

How it works: It is an endogenous, highly selective, high-affinity mu-opioid receptor agonist that inhibits neuronal excitability.

Mu-opioid research; spinal analgesia research; endogenous opioid studies

This entry is a combination of two separate peptides rather than a single molecule. Sermorelin is a synthetic analog of the first twenty-nine amino acids of growth-hormone-releasing hormone, and ipamorelin is a selective growth-hormone secretagogue acting as a ghrelin receptor agonist. They are paired in research to promote pituitary growth hormone release through complementary pathways.

How it works: It pairs a GHRH analog with a selective ghrelin receptor agonist to stimulate pituitary growth hormone release.

Growth hormone research; body composition research; endocrine study

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Deltorphin II is a naturally occurring heptapeptide found in the skin secretions of South American Phyllomedusa frogs. It is a potent and highly selective agonist of the delta-opioid receptor and is used mainly as a pharmacological research tool. In animal models it produces pain-reducing effects. It is not an approved therapeutic and carries opioid-type safety considerations.

How it works: It is a highly selective and potent agonist of the delta-opioid receptor, containing a D-amino acid that resists breakdown.

Delta-opioid research; antinociception research; opioid pharmacology

This entry is a combination stack pairing two separate research peptides, CJC-1295 and GHRP-6, not a single molecule. CJC-1295 is a synthetic growth-hormone-releasing hormone analog, and GHRP-6 is a growth-hormone-releasing peptide that acts at the ghrelin receptor. The two are combined in research settings to stimulate pituitary growth hormone secretion through complementary mechanisms.

How it works: It combines a GHRH analog with a ghrelin receptor agonist to stimulate pituitary growth hormone release through two pathways.

Growth hormone research; body composition research; GH-axis study

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

TB-500 is a synthetic peptide based on the actin-binding region of thymosin beta-4, a protein found naturally in most cells. In laboratory and animal studies it binds actin and supports cell migration, blood vessel formation, and tissue repair, which is why it is explored for wound healing and injury recovery. It has no human approval, though full-length thymosin beta-4 has reached human eye and heart trials.

How it works: It sequesters actin monomers to support cell migration, blood vessel growth, and tissue repair.

Wound healing; tissue repair; injury recovery; cardiac repair; anti-inflammatory research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

IGF-1 LR3 is a synthetic, elongated analog of insulin-like growth factor 1 carrying an arginine substitution and a 13 amino acid N-terminal extension. These changes sharply reduce its binding to IGF binding proteins, leaving more of the molecule free to activate the IGF-1 receptor and drive cell growth. It is used mainly as a laboratory and animal research reagent to study cell proliferation and anabolic signaling. It has no approval for human use.

How it works: It binds the IGF-1 receptor while resisting IGF binding proteins, prolonging anabolic and cell growth signaling.

Cell proliferation research; anabolic signaling; muscle growth; tissue growth

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

CJC-1295 with DAC is a synthetic long-acting analog of growth hormone releasing hormone that carries a drug affinity complex, allowing it to bind serum albumin and circulate for days. It stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone and raise IGF-1 over an extended period. It was tested in early human trials for its endocrine effects, but development was discontinued and it has no medical approval.

How it works: It binds serum albumin through a drug affinity complex and stimulates pituitary growth hormone release, raising IGF-1 for several days.

Growth hormone stimulation; IGF-1 elevation; body composition research; recovery research; endocrine research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Hexarelin is a synthetic hexapeptide and growth hormone secretagogue derived from GHRP-6 that binds the ghrelin growth hormone secretagogue receptor. By activating this receptor in the pituitary it stimulates release of growth hormone, with smaller effects on prolactin, ACTH, and cortisol. It reached early human trials for growth hormone deficiency and heart failure and is studied for growth hormone release and cardiac function.

How it works: It activates the ghrelin growth hormone secretagogue receptor in the pituitary, stimulating release of growth hormone.

Growth hormone release; cardiac function; growth hormone deficiency; bone research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Follistatin-344 is the longer follistatin form encoded by the full-length FST transcript, which after processing yields the mature circulating protein. It is a secreted glycoprotein that binds and neutralizes transforming growth factor beta proteins, including activin and myostatin. Because myostatin restrains muscle growth, a virus carrying the follistatin-344 sequence was tested in an early human gene therapy trial for muscle disease. It has not been approved for any use.

How it works: It binds activin and myostatin, blocking their access to activin type II receptors and relieving suppression of muscle growth.

Muscle growth research; myostatin inhibition; activin neutralization; muscular dystrophy research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Enobosarm is a nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulator, not a peptide, developed to build muscle and bone while limiting effects on other androgen-responsive tissues. It has been evaluated in human trials for muscle wasting in cancer and for androgen receptor positive breast cancer, but it is not approved for any medical use. It is also sold illicitly in supplements as Ostarine, and both regulators and case reports link it to liver injury.

How it works: It selectively activates androgen receptors in muscle and bone while having limited activity in other androgen-responsive tissues.

Muscle wasting research; body composition; breast cancer research; bone density research

GDF-8, known as myostatin, is a naturally occurring protein of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily produced mainly in skeletal muscle. It normally limits muscle growth so muscles do not become too large, acting as a negative regulator. Loss-of-function changes in animals and rare humans cause increased muscle mass. Because it restrains growth, research targets blocking it rather than administering it.

How it works: Myostatin signals through activin type II receptors and SMAD proteins to suppress skeletal muscle cell growth and differentiation.

Muscle growth regulation; myostatin inhibition research; muscular dystrophy research; livestock genetics

IGF-1 DES is a truncated form of insulin-like growth factor 1 that lacks the first three amino acids at the N-terminus. In cultured cells it is reported to be roughly ten times more potent than intact IGF-1, because it binds much less tightly to IGF binding proteins. It has been studied in laboratory and animal models and is not approved for human use.

How it works: Removal of the N-terminal tripeptide reduces binding to IGF binding proteins, leaving more free peptide to activate the IGF-1 receptor.

Muscle growth research; anabolic signaling research; tissue growth research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Trevogrumab, also identified as REGN1033, is a fully human monoclonal antibody developed by Regeneron that selectively binds and neutralizes myostatin, a natural inhibitor of muscle growth. It has been studied for muscle-related conditions and is currently in a phase 2 obesity trial, where it is combined with a GLP-1 receptor agonist to help preserve lean mass during weight loss. It remains investigational.

How it works: It is a monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes myostatin, preventing it from signaling through receptors that limit muscle growth.

Myostatin blockade; lean mass preservation; sarcopenia research; obesity adjunct research

Follistatin-315 is the mature follistatin protein and the main isoform circulating in blood. An acidic tail lowers its binding to cell-surface heparan sulfate, so it stays soluble rather than tissue-bound like the shorter form. It binds and neutralizes activin and myostatin, and blocking myostatin is the basis of research interest in muscle. It is the same mature protein encoded by the follistatin-344 transcript and has not been approved for any use.

How it works: As the main circulating follistatin form, it binds activin and myostatin in blood, preventing them from activating muscle-limiting receptors.

Myostatin inhibition; activin binding; muscle growth research; circulating follistatin studies

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Apitegromab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively binds the inactive forms of myostatin, blocking its activation. It is investigational and not FDA approved. It is being studied as an add-on to approved therapies for spinal muscular atrophy, where the phase 2 TOPAZ study reported motor function signals. A biologics license application is under FDA review.

How it works: It binds inactive promyostatin and latent myostatin, preventing their activation and reducing myostatin-driven suppression of muscle growth.

Spinal muscular atrophy; lean mass preservation; muscle wasting research

Bimagrumab is a human monoclonal antibody that blocks activin type II receptors, preventing signaling by myostatin and related ligands. It is investigational and not FDA approved. It has been studied in phase 2 trials for obesity and type 2 diabetes, where it was associated with loss of fat mass and gain of lean mass, and previously in muscle-wasting conditions.

How it works: It is a monoclonal antibody antagonizing activin type II receptors, blocking myostatin and activin signaling to increase muscle and reduce fat.

Obesity research; type 2 diabetes; muscle preservation; sarcopenia research

Conantokin G is a small peptide isolated from the venom of the fish-hunting cone snail Conus geographus. It acts as an NR2B-selective antagonist of NMDA-type glutamate receptors. It has been examined mainly as a research tool and in early development for epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and protection against excitotoxic brain injury. It is not an approved therapeutic.

How it works: It is an NR2B-selective antagonist of NMDA-type glutamate receptors, a venom-derived peptide rich in gamma-carboxyglutamate.

NMDA receptor research; epilepsy research; neuropathic pain; neuroprotection