Longevity Science • Category 03

Therapeutic Peptides.

The global state of the art rigorously organized by actual regulatory status. One tier with FDA-approved peptides and emerging applications in longevity. A second with compounds in active clinical research. A third with the experimental zone — preliminary evidence and use in jurisdictions where the regulatory framework permits it.

Important editorial note: this page is a scientific review of the field, not a treatment offer. Any therapeutic consideration with peptides requires individual clinical evaluation under medical criteria and conformity with the applicable regulatory framework.

Why peptides matter in longevity

Peptides are short chains of amino acids the body uses as messengers to regulate hormones, metabolism, tissue repair, immune function, cognition and sleep. Unlike small synthetic drugs, many peptides are molecules identical or very similar to those the organism already produces — potentially reducing side effects when used correctly.

The field doesn't advance at one speed — it develops across three very distinct regulatory layers. That distinction is the difference between rigor and enthusiasm.
01
Regulatory layer

FDA-approved

Formal indications — diabetes, lipodystrophy, female sexual health — with demonstrated beneficial side effects on longevity markers.

Ozempic · Wegovy · Mounjaro · Vyleesi
02
Regulatory layer

In clinical research

Phase II/III trials or translational research programs funded by top-tier institutions.

Buck Institute · Tufts · NIH · Khavinson
03
Regulatory layer

Preliminary evidence

Mainly animal and observational — used in jurisdictions with regulatory frameworks different from the U.S. Critical reading mandatory.

Higher risk · validation pending
Regulatory layer · FDA-approved

FDA-approved with longevity relevance

Peptides with formal regulatory approval in the U.S. for specific indications, showing beneficial side effects on biomarkers associated with aging or on relevant functional dimensions (body composition, insulin sensitivity, GH/IGF-1 axis, sexual health).

  • Tesamorelin

    Egrifta®

    GHRH analog approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Reduces visceral fat and modulates GH/IGF-1 axis with relevance to metabolic aging.

  • Semaglutide

    Ozempic® · Wegovy®

    GLP-1 agonist approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Robust evidence on reduction of cardiovascular events and possible neuroprotective benefits under investigation.

  • Tirzepatide

    Mounjaro® · Zepbound®

    Dual GLP-1/GIP agonist approved for diabetes and obesity. Weight loss superior to Semaglutide in comparative trials.

  • Liraglutide

    Saxenda® · Victoza®

    First-generation GLP-1 agonist, approved for diabetes and obesity. Historical foundation of the GLP-1 field.

  • PT-141 (Bremelanotide)

    Vyleesi®

    Melanocortin analog approved for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women. Acts on central MC4R receptors.

  • Sermorelin

    GHRH analog · historically FDA

    GHRH analog originally FDA-approved; commercial product discontinued by manufacturer. Available in the U.S. via certified compounding pharmacy under individualized medical prescription.

Regulatory layer · In active clinical research

In active clinical research or review

Compounds with serious research programs — phase II/III clinical trials, institutional funding, peer-reviewed publications — and real potential for future approvals. Some are pure peptides; others (like Rapamycin) are small molecules included here for their central relevance in the longevity field.

  • Rapamycin (Sirolimus)

    PEARL trial · Mannick et al.

    mTOR inhibitor FDA-approved for post-transplant immunosuppression. PEARL study evaluates low and intermittent doses in healthy adults as a longevity intervention.

  • Retatrutide

    Phase 3 · Eli Lilly

    Triple GLP-1 / GIP / Glucagon agonist. Phase 3 trials show weight reductions even greater than Tirzepatide. Approval expected in coming years.

  • CagriSema

    Phase 3 · Novo Nordisk

    Cagrilintide + semaglutide combination. Targets superior weight loss profile with fewer GI effects.

  • MOTS-c

    Translational · USC, Yamanaka Lab

    Peptide derived from mitochondrial DNA. Active research on role in metabolism, insulin resistance, and aging.

  • BPC-157

    European trials · tissue repair

    Pentadecapeptide derived from protective gastric protein. Clinical research in Croatia on gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal repair. In the U.S., FDA removed BPC-157 from the 503A list in 2023.

  • Epitalon

    Khavinson Institute · Russian research

    Tetrapeptide investigated for decades by Vladimir Khavinson (St. Petersburg) for its potential effect on telomerase and longevity. Evidence mostly Russian, undergoing Western validation.

  • Humanin

    Translational · neuroprotection

    Mitochondrial peptide discovered by Pinchas Cohen (USC). Research on neuroprotection in Alzheimer's and metabolic resistance.

Regulatory layer · Not approved · preliminary evidence

Preliminary evidence and international use

Compounds with mostly animal and observational evidence, without completed pivotal clinical trials. Some are used in jurisdictions with regulatory frameworks different from the U.S. This tier requires especially critical reading: absence of formal regulation is no proof of safety or efficacy.

  • TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4)

    Animal research

    Synthetic fragment of Thymosin Beta-4. Preliminary research on tissue repair. No pivotal human clinical trials.

  • CJC-1295

    Experimental use

    Long-acting GHRH analog. No regulatory approval; use confined to experimental studies and gray markets.

  • Ipamorelin

    Removed from 503A · 2023

    GH secretagogue. Was on the FDA 503A bulk drug substances list; removed in 2023 after advisory committee review.

  • Semax

    Approved in Russia · not FDA

    Heptapeptide derived from ACTH. Approved in Russia for neurological indications. Clinical evidence mostly Russian.

  • Selank

    Approved in Russia · not FDA

    Tuftsin analog with anxiolytic effects investigated in Russia. No Western approval.

  • GHK-Cu

    Cosmetic · dermatology

    Copper tripeptide with broad use in cosmetics and preliminary evidence on skin repair. No approved systemic therapeutic indication.

  • AOD-9604

    Rejected as anti-obesity

    Growth hormone fragment developed as anti-obesity. FDA did not approve the indication. Available in some countries as a supplement.

  • Hexarelin

    Cardiovascular research

    GH secretagogue with preliminary research on cardiovascular function. No Western regulatory approval.

How we read this field at Wellness Care

The peptide space is full of enthusiasm not always proportional to the evidence. Our editorial — and clinical — principle is simple: the strength of the recommendation matches the level of evidence, not the hype of the moment. A peptide with a published phase 3 trial has very different weight from one with three mouse studies and an enthusiastic biohacker forum.

In consultation, we evaluate your individual case against this hierarchy: what real clinical problem exists, what the evidence says for someone with your profile, what's the applicable regulatory framework, and only then are concrete alternatives discussed. Reversing this order is exactly what produces the impulsive decisions that erode public trust in longevity medicine.

The regulatory layer is not optional bureaucracy. It's the difference between a molecule with a safety profile validated in thousands of patients and a promise with three mice and a Reddit forum. We curate the conversation — not the clinical decision.
Featured evidence

Three lines of research that guide the clinical reading of therapeutic peptides in longevity medicine.

"Low-dose, intermittent rapamycin is one of the most studied pharmacological interventions in translational human geroscience."
mTOR · PEARL Trial · GeroScience
Mannick et al.
PEARL Trial · GeroScience · 2023
"Significant reduction of major cardiovascular events and sustained weight loss documented across the SUSTAIN and STEP programs with over 10,000 patients."
GLP-1 · SUSTAIN-6 · STEP · NEJM
Marso · Wilding et al.
NEJM · 2016 · 2021
"Four decades of Russian research on endogenous tetrapeptides like Epitalon and their potential effect on telomerase and replicative senescence."
Telomerase · Khavinson · 4 decades
Khavinson V.
St. Petersburg Inst. Bioregulation · validation in progress

Frequently asked questions about therapeutic peptides

The recurring questions about therapeutic peptides — what they are, FDA approval status, BPC-157, legality in Colombia, what Bryan Johnson and Peter Attia take, GLP-1 differences, and protocol costs. Answers aligned with indexed literature.

01

What are therapeutic peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids the body uses as messengers to regulate hormones, metabolism, tissue repair, immune function, cognition, and sleep.

Unlike small synthetic drugs, many peptides are molecules identical or very similar to those the body already produces, which can reduce side effects when used correctly under medical prescription.

02

Which peptides are FDA-approved for longevity?

The FDA does not approve peptides specifically for longevity indications. However, several peptides have FDA approval for other indications with beneficial side effects on aging markers:

· Tesamorelin (Egrifta) for lipodystrophy
· Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) for diabetes and obesity
· PT-141 (Vyleesi) for HSDD
· Sermorelin (GHRH analog)

03

What is BPC-157 used for?

BPC-157 is a pentadecapeptide derived from a protective gastric protein clinically investigated in Croatia and other European countries for gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal repair effects.

It is NOT FDA-approved — it was removed from the 503A list in 2023. Available evidence is primarily preclinical and limited European clinical trials. Its use in the US is restricted.

04

Is it legal to use peptides in Colombia?

Peptides with formal INVIMA regulatory approval are authorized for their specific indications — e.g., GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic, Saxenda) for diabetes and obesity.

Peptides without INVIMA approval (BPC-157, TB-500, Epitalon, etc.) are NOT authorized for general therapeutic use in Colombia.

Wellness Care's educational content about peptides is a scientific review of the global state of the art — not a treatment offering.

05

Which peptides does Bryan Johnson or Peter Attia take?

Bryan Johnson has publicly discussed Rapamycin use (currently paused after his personal data analysis) and prior experiences with several peptides.

Peter Attia regularly mentions on his podcasts the PEARL study of Rapamycin (Mannick et al.), Semaglutide for metabolic profile, and critically discusses BPC-157 and TB-500 emphasizing the lack of pivotal human clinical trials for the second group.

06

What is the difference between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?

Semaglutide is a single-receptor agonist (GLP-1) approved for diabetes and obesity.

Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, with superior weight loss to Semaglutide in head-to-head comparative trials.

Both are FDA-approved and have favorable cardiovascular event profiles, but the choice between them depends on the patient's individual clinical profile.

07

How much does a peptide protocol cost at a longevity clinic?

Cost of an individualized protocol depends on specific peptides, duration, required biomarkers, and jurisdiction.

Wellness Care does not publish standard prices — we design personalized protocols only after a complete clinical evaluation and biomarker review, within the applicable regulatory framework.

Initial evaluation consultation is free.

The real promise

Your biology is not destiny — it is interpretation, intervention and verification. The right peptides, at the right moment, under rigorous medical criteria, can change the trajectory of your next two decades.

Halting the progression of age-related diseases is possible when measurement, evidence-based decisions and clinical follow-up come together. Not a promise: a protocol.

Does this apply to your case?

Schedule your consultation about therapeutic peptides

We discuss your concrete clinical situation, review biomarkers, and analyze what evidence exists for your specific profile — under the applicable regulatory framework. A conversation with a physician who knows the field deeply will always be better than any online reading.

Schedule consultation about peptides