Blog

Most people may be thinking to themselves what in the world are peptides.

Peptides are amino acids that have been designed to stimulate specific receptors for your hormones. People use growth hormone peptides to help with muscle gains, nagging injuries, weight loss, and recovery. 

Peptides work by stimulating your pituitary gland (control center of your hormones) to produce growth hormones. Growth hormone has been shown to control our aging, muscle mass, weight loss, and inflammation. Studies have shown that growth hormone decreases by 14% each decade of life. Peptides are given to help regulate the amount of growth hormone your body produces, when given it stimulates more human growth hormone naturally. 

Peptides are different than HGH (human growth hormone), because when HGH is given you are giving your body an outside source of growth hormone. Peptides cause the body to produce more of its own natural growth hormone.

What is inside peptides?

Peptides are small amino acids. These amino acids link onto specific receptors to produce specific hormones (more specifically growth hormone).

How are growth hormone peptides given?

Most peptides are given through an injection. They can be given subcutaneous (SQ) (into the fat layer of the skin) or intramuscular (IM) (into the muscle). There is an option for oral growth hormone and nasal spray growth hormone. 

What are the benefits of peptides?

There have been studies regarding the health benefits of growth hormone in humans. Peptides help increase the body’s growth hormone naturally. Peptides have been shown to help increase bone density and weight loss. They have been shown to help people sleep and lose weight. 

What are the side effects of peptides?

You should always discuss the side effects of peptides with you health card provider.

Here are some of side effects:

• Pain and risk for infection at the injection site.
• Increase in water retention.
• Increased hunger
• Dry mouth
• Tingling or numbness
• High blood pressure
• Kidney pain
• Joint pain
• Weight gain/weight loss
• Sleepiness

What are the main peptides?

There are 3 main peptides that are on the market. Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplement or medication. This is only for educational purposes.

Sermorelin: stimulates your body to produce more growth hormone. It helps with sleep and weight loss. It is usually given for 3 months and than you take a 1-2 month vacation. It is given through injection subcutaneously. It may increase your appetite.

Ipamorelin: stimulates the body to produce more growth hormone. Helps with sleep and muscle mass. Great option of you want to rest. It is usually given SQ a bedtime. It can cause water retention and numbness. You need to cycle this also. People usually take it for 2-3 months, then they take a break.

MK-677 Ibufaromen: It is given orally. It is more expensive. It does cause an increase in hunger for people taking it. It can cause water retention.

Where can these medications be found?

These medications should be received from a licensed physician or healthcare provider. They will know how to properly dose you, and can track your labs for you. These medications can be serious if not properly dosed and monitored.

What is the verdict?: Good or Garbage

This is a tough one because there is research continuing on the benefits and side effects of peptides. Most places that offer peptides also offer services we think are garbage, but we do believe peptides have a promising spot in healthcare.

We cannot truly give this a Good or Garbage rating, because it depends on the person taking the medication. Peptides are not medically needed, but they do seem to improve the lives of people taking it.

If I was to start taking the medication I would give it a good rating because of the anti-aging effects, anti-inflammatory properties, and the increase in athletic performance that can occur.

As always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement, diet plan, workout regimen, of medication.