An introduction to peptides

There’s a pretty good chance you’re here because you read something on the internet about peptides and it piqued your interest. And it should! I sincerely believe that peptide therapy can be greatly beneficial to people around the world. But first, let’s level-set: the digital world is filled with content surrounding the topic of peptides, and while great educational resources exist, there are plenty of folks who exaggerate the benefits of certain peptides to earn a quick buck. These practices are disgusting, and I consider it a great responsibility to provide genuine information to my readers. That said, I’m a human who makes mistakes occasionally; I encourage every reader to fact-check the content on this website before forming an opinion or taking action. You are your own last line of defense against misinformation.

First, what exactly is a “peptide”?

A peptide is a molecule made up of amino acids—the same building blocks that form proteins. Think of amino acids as beads and peptides as short bracelets made from those beads, while proteins are long necklaces.

But here's what makes peptides special: they're not just structural components sitting around in your body. They're active messengers and participants in virtually every biological process that keeps you alive. Peptides coordinate communication between your organs, regulate your hormones, control your immune responses, and fine-tune countless cellular functions.

Without peptides, your body couldn't regulate blood sugar (yup, insulin is a peptide), manage growth and repair, or even maintain basic hydration. They aren’t supplements—they're essential operating instructions your body uses every second of every day.

When we talk about peptide therapy, we're essentially working with your body's existing communication system, using the same molecular language it already speaks.

My explanation barely scratches the surface but hopefully helps you to feel a little more comfortable on the topic. Things should make more sense as you begin reading about individual peptides and how they work.

Are peptides a gimmick?

Not at all. While there are plenty of gimmicky health and fitness products out there—such as testosterone boosters—peptides are actually capable of delivering noticeable results. Remember, insulin is a peptide, and it’s arguably the most important peptide in existence.

As I alluded to earlier, some peptides are overhyped. Before semaglutide hit the market, one of the frequently suggested anti-obesity peptides was AOD-9604, which is marketed as a weight loss peptide. While evidence on paper suggests AOD-9604 can be impactful on weight loss, folks had a very difficult time correlating their use of the peptide with any noticeable weight loss. Contrast this to semaglutide, which has immediate and obvious effects on the body.

To put it simply, peptides aren’t gimmicky, but some people tend to hype up peptides that simply don’t deliver.

Are peptides right for me?

Possibly! It’s important to remember that peptides require patience, time, and money. You’ll need to have the patience in waiting results

This should go without saying, but please do not begin using peptides without first consulting a physician. While harmful effects are rare, you certainly aren’t setting yourself up for success by injecting or consuming random peptides on a whim.