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Note: Originally, I had planned for a single blog entry for all therapeutic peptides to which we have access. Oh boy did I underestimate the volume of literature and conversation around these.... so, I've divided them into a few parts.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids - essentially mini-proteins. While the term "peptide therapy" might sound novel, you're likely familiar with peptide medications without realizing it. Popular medications like semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are peptides, as are insulin and many other established therapeutics.
One crucial consideration with peptide therapy is the increased risk of allergic reactions compared to "small molecule" drugs. This is because peptides are larger molecules that can trigger immune responses. In many cases, since they are either identical or related to segments of proteins in our bodies, the risk of allergic reaction is relatively low. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider and start with low doses when introducing new peptides.
Disclaimer: As always and with this content more than ever, nothing in this post nor any others in the Admire Insights blog repository is meant to serve as medical advice. Health information is constantly evolving and your unique health situation may be different than any scenario we describe below. Consult your own personal medical team prior to taking any of the following educational information into your own hands.
Growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) work by stimulating either the growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) or the ghrelin receptor (GHSR). While both receptors promote the release of growth hormone, they have other effects that impact the risks/benefits of each sub-class of peptides.
The following lists combine all of the reported benefits for different peptide agents within this group of compounds.
CJC-1295: A GHRH analog that extends the half-life of growth hormone pulses. Recently removed from a the FDA “Category 2” compound list and available again!
Ipamorelin: A selective GH secretagogue with minimal impact on cortisol and prolactin. Recently removed from a the FDA “Category 2” compound list and available again.
Sermorelin: The original GHRH peptide, still widely used for its safety profile
Tesamorelin: A GHRH analog specifically developed and FDA-approved for reducing visceral adipose tissue with strong clinical evidence
Ibutamoren: A non-peptide compound increases GH and IGF-1 through ghrelin receptor activation with enhanced oral bioavailability. In other words, since it is a non-peptide therapy, it can be taken by mouth instead of as an injection. Still on category 2 list for investigation of safety due to concerns about heart damage.
These foundations of peptide therapy provide broad benefits including improved recovery, lean mass preservation, and enhanced sleep quality.
Any substance that raises growth hormone has theoretical risks of… the consequences of excessive growth hormone (these are the deep medical insights you’ve come to expect in a physician run blog, I’m sure). In the short term, this includes elevated blood sugars and facial flushing, and in the long term, growth of things you do not want to be growing, like, cancer.
This has been a concern for clinicians prescribing growth hormone replacement therapies for decades. In many cases, replacement therapies are necessary after damage to the pituitary and, short of active malignancy being present, there does not appear to be any increased risk of GH therapy when GH levels are replaced to physiologic levels. When used even in patients who’d had a brain tumor, GH therapy did not seem to increase risk for recurrence/growth. Similar studies with GHSRs (ipamorelin and ibutamoren) that work slightly differently than tesamorelin, sermorelin, and CJC-1295 suggest they may have even lower theoretical risk, as they don’t bind to the GHRH receptor- a receptor found in the brain and often expressed on cancer cells as well.
For those interested in trying a peptide like this- who have already discussed risks/benefits with their personal medical team- may consider the following potency comparison helpful in reducing risk. If “physiologic” levels of growth hormone appear to be safe, then lower potency peptides that don’t cause the largest increase in GH may be lower risk than other agents.
Again, it's crucial to note that sustained elevation above physiologic ranges can lead to adverse effects, which is why medical supervision and proper dosing protocols are essential.
To summarize part 1, peptide therapy is an emerging area of therapeutic compounds that has, oxymoronically, been around since ~1922 when insulin was first given to a patient with Type 1 Diabetes. We are now looking to these compounds to enhance wellness and prevent disease. In the latter medical space, information is sparse, biased, and often relies on a deeper understanding of physiology to predict where things can go right and wrong. While not the foremost experts in the space, we are going to be increasing our peptide offerings here at Admire Medical, and this has driven our interest in sorting out fact from fiction from fantasy in this space.
Stay tuned for Part 2 - we'll discuss peptides with particular efficacy in supporting injury recovery and tissue repair!
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