Peptides 101

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the same building blocks that make up proteins, just in smaller sequences. In the body, many naturally occurring peptides act as signaling molecules, carrying messages between cells. The compounds catalogued here are studied or discussed across a wide range of research contexts.

This library is a neutral reference. Each entry describes a compound in plain terms and lists factual properties such as its other names, half-life and FDA status. It does not recommend, rank, or instruct.

Every compound is filed under its FDA status: approved and prescription only, or not FDA-approved. The groups are descriptive, not endorsements. They simply make a large list easier to navigate.

• FDA-approved, prescription only

  Approved formulations are prescription medicines, available only through a licensed provider.

• Not FDA-approved, research only

  Not approved by the FDA for human use. Listed for reference as research compounds.

A compound’s half-life is the time it takes for the amount in the body to fall by half. It is a property of the molecule, not a schedule. A shorter half-life clears quickly, a longer one persists.

When something is present repeatedly, the amount in the body tends toward a balance point where what comes in roughly matches what clears out. That balance is called steady state. The half-life reference page explains this in more depth and lists compounds side by side.

View the half-life reference→

Every entry carries a status label. FDA-approved, prescription only means approved formulations of the compound are prescription medicines, available only through a licensed provider. Not FDA-approved means the compound is not approved for human use and is characterized as a research compound.

These labels are descriptive shorthand, not legal guidance. The regulatory standing of any compound varies by jurisdiction and changes over time.