Research context
Short, substantive reads on compound classes, handling best practices, and how to read a COA. No therapeutic claims — research context only.
Cagrilintide — the long-acting amylin analog, explained
Cagrilintide is an acylated amylin analog developed by Novo Nordisk for once-weekly research dosing — most notably co-studied with semaglutide (the 'CagriSema' combination) for additive effects on satiety and body-mass endpoints. A research-context primer on the molecule, the amylin-receptor biology, the CagriSema rationale, and the current Phase 3 program.
Tesamorelin — the stabilized GHRH analog, explained
Tesamorelin is a 44-amino-acid GHRH analog with an N-terminal acyl modification, extensively studied in visceral-adipose, IGF-1-axis, and body-composition research. A research-context primer on the molecule, the published evidence, and how it differs from sermorelin.
Sermorelin — the classical GHRH 1-29 fragment, explained
Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid fragment of GHRH — the bioactive core of the full 44-residue peptide and the first GHRH analog brought to clinical use. Four decades of research history make it the reference against which newer GHRH analogs are compared. A research-context primer on the molecule, the mechanism, and the published literature.
Follistatin-344 — the myostatin-pathway glycoprotein, explained
Follistatin-344 (FS-344) is one of three natural isoforms of follistatin — a glycoprotein that binds and neutralizes activin and myostatin (GDF-8), key regulators of skeletal-muscle mass. A research-context primer on the isoforms, the myostatin pathway, the published evidence, and what distinguishes FS-344 from FS-288 and FS-315.
Thymogen — the Glu-Trp dipeptide immunomodulator, explained
Thymogen is a synthetic glutamyl-tryptophan dipeptide developed by the Khavinson group in St. Petersburg as part of the cytomedine short-peptide research program. Studied extensively in Russian-language immunology literature. A research-context primer on the molecule, the Khavinson program context, and the published evidence base.
Thymalin — the thymic-peptide complex, explained
Thymalin is a polypeptide preparation derived from bovine thymus tissue — one of the earliest compounds in the Khavinson short-peptide research program and the parent complex from which synthetic thymic peptides (including thymogen) were derived. A research-context primer on the preparation, the immune-modulation research, and what distinguishes it from synthetic thymic peptides.
IGF-1 LR3 — the long-acting IGF-1 analog, explained
IGF-1 LR3 is an engineered analog of insulin-like growth factor 1 with reduced binding-protein affinity and extended half-life, used primarily in receptor-signaling and cell-culture research. A research-context primer on the molecule, the LR3 modification, and what it's used for.
Epithalon — the telomerase-activation peptide, explained
Epithalon is a tetrapeptide from the Khavinson lab in St. Petersburg, studied extensively in Russian-language literature for its effects on telomerase activity and circadian rhythm gene expression. A research-context primer on the molecule, the evidence base, and the limits of what's been demonstrated.
PT-141 (Bremelanotide) — the melanocortin-receptor agonist, explained
PT-141 is a 7-amino-acid peptide that activates melanocortin receptors in the central nervous system. A research-context primer on the molecule, the melanocortin system, and the published literature.
NAD+ — the coenzyme, not a peptide, explained
NAD+ is a central coenzyme in mitochondrial metabolism, and is supplied as a research reference material distinct from the peptide category. A research-context primer on what NAD+ actually is, what the published literature does and does not support, and why precursor compounds (NR, NMN) are more commonly studied systemically.
Semax — the nootropic heptapeptide, explained
Semax is a 7-amino-acid synthetic peptide developed at Moscow State University in the 1980s, studied for effects on BDNF expression, cognitive function, and stroke recovery. A research-context primer on the molecule, the Russian clinical heritage, and what's known about mechanism.
Semaglutide — the GLP-1 mono-agonist, explained
Semaglutide is the first long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist to reach broad commercial use and remains the reference compound against which every newer incretin agent is compared. A research-context primer on mechanism, the STEP/SUSTAIN trial programs, and why it's still the baseline.
GHK-Cu — the copper-peptide complex, explained
GHK-Cu is a tripeptide–copper complex with a 50-year research record in dermal biology, tissue-remodeling, and gene-expression research. A research-context primer on the molecule, mechanism, published literature, and why it sits in a different category from the metabolic and recovery peptides.
TB-500 — the actin-regulating peptide, explained
TB-500 is a 17-amino-acid fragment of thymosin β4 widely used in soft-tissue research. A research-context primer on the molecule, the actin-sequestration mechanism, the published literature, and why it's commonly co-studied with BPC-157.
Ipamorelin + CJC-1295 — the GH-axis research stack, explained
Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 are commonly dosed together in growth-hormone axis research. A research-context primer on the ghrelin-receptor and GHRH-receptor mechanisms, the DAC vs non-DAC distinction, and why this is the most common pulsatile-GH stack.
Tirzepatide — the dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, explained
Tirzepatide is the first dual-incretin agonist to reach commercial pharmaceutical status. A research-context primer on dual-agonism pharmacology, the SURPASS and SURMOUNT trial data, dose titration, and how it compares to semaglutide and retatrutide.
BPC-157 — what the research actually says
BPC-157 is one of the most widely-discussed research peptides — and one of the most frequently misunderstood. A research-context primer on what's been studied, where the data actually lives, and what serious readers should know before working with it.
Retatrutide — the triple-agonist peptide, explained
Retatrutide is the first peptide to combine GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptor agonism in a single molecule. A research-context primer on mechanism, published literature, and how it compares to semaglutide and tirzepatide.
How to read a Certificate of Analysis
A COA is a technical document, not a marketing artifact. This is how to parse every field — identity confirmation, HPLC purity, residual solvents (ICH Q3C), endotoxin, red flags — and what each one actually implies for a research workflow.
Cold-chain handling, start to finish
Why temperature matters for peptide research compounds, how we ship, and what to do when a package arrives.
GLP-1 category primer
Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Retatrutide. How the three most-studied GLP-1 research compounds compare at a molecular level.