Metabolic Peptides

Octreotide is an FDA-approved somatostatin analog with three labeled indications and 35+ years of clinical data. The PROMID trial showed it doubled time to tumor progression in midgut NETs. Near-complete subcutaneous bioavailability, but gallstones affect up to 65% of long-term users. Supplied as a pre-filled solution.

Glucagon reverses severe hypoglycemia in 10 to 15 minutes by mobilizing liver glycogen stores. Three FDA-approved formulations cover injection and nasal delivery. It won't work if glycogen is depleted from fasting, alcohol, or adrenal insufficiency. Caregivers should keep one on hand.

AICAR activates AMPK, the same metabolic sensor that fires during exercise. Banned by WADA since 2009 after mouse studies showed 44% endurance gains. Community doses are roughly 500x below animal study levels, so real-world effects remain subtle and debated among a small user base.

Lanreotide is an FDA-approved somatostatin analog given once every 28 days for acromegaly and GEP-NETs. The CLARINET trial showed 53% reduced progression risk; PRIMARYS found 63% of patients had tumor shrinkage by 48 weeks. Pre-filled syringe, no reconstitution. GI side effects and gallstone risk require monitoring.

Pasireotide (Signifor) is the first FDA-approved medical therapy that directly targets pituitary tumors in Cushing's disease. It binds all five somatostatin receptor subtypes with the strongest affinity for SSTR5. Normalizes urinary free cortisol in roughly 26% of patients, but hyperglycemia in 73% requires concurrent antidiabetic management.

MOTS-c activates the same AMPK pathway triggered by exercise, making it one of the few true exercise mimetics. Preclinical data shows fat loss and insulin sensitization in mice; community users report improved endurance and glucose control within 2 to 4 weeks.

L-Carnitine injectable delivers 100% bioavailability compared to 15-18% oral. FDA-approved as Carnitor for carnitine deficiency. A meta-analysis of 37 RCTs confirmed modest but real fat loss support. Best results come paired with caloric deficit and exercise. Often combined with ALA or CoQ10.

BAM-15 is a selective mitochondrial uncoupler that reduced fat mass and improved insulin sensitivity in mice without raising body temperature. Oral and non-stimulant, it draws interest as a safer DNP alternative, though zero human trials exist and community doses fall far below allometric estimates.

SLU-PP-332 is a synthetic ERR agonist that mimics aerobic exercise at the gene level. Mouse data show 12% weight loss and 70% longer running times in 28 days. No human trials exist. Community protocols use 10 to 50 mg/day subcutaneous injection.

Somatostatin (SST-14) is the endogenous hormone that suppresses GH, insulin, glucagon, and gastric acid through all five SSTR subtypes. A 1-3 minute half-life limits its use to IV infusion in research and hospital settings. Synthetic analogs handle clinical applications instead.

Neuropeptide Y is the brain's most potent appetite signal in rodent models, but human trials point somewhere different: dose-dependent anxiety relief via intranasal delivery. Two clinical trials confirmed anxiolytic effects at milligram-range doses. Lab-only sourcing at $337+/mg keeps this peptide firmly in the research column.

Ghrelin is the body's only circulating appetite-stimulating hormone, backed by 10,000+ published studies. Clinical cachexia trials confirm appetite restoration and lean mass preservation. The native form degrades in minutes; synthetic GHS-R1a agonists like GHRP-2 and MK-677 deliver the same receptor activation with stable pharmacokinetics.

Desmopressin (DDAVP) is an FDA-approved vasopressin analog prescribed for central diabetes insipidus, bedwetting, and mild hemophilia A. It replaces missing antidiuretic hormone and boosts clotting factors without blood transfusions. Effective across three distinct indications, though strict fluid restriction is required to prevent hyponatremia.

Amylin (IAPP) is the pancreatic hormone behind pramlintide and cagrilintide. Thirty-seven amino acids, co-secreted with insulin, toxic when it misfolds. Research-only peptide with well-characterized glucose and satiety signaling but no safe path to clinical use in its native form.

Vasopressin (AVP/ADH) is an FDA-approved nonapeptide vasopressor for septic and vasodilatory shock, backed by two landmark ICU trials totaling 1,187 patients. Hospital-administered by continuous IV infusion only. Not a self-use peptide. Community interest focuses on intranasal analogs for memory and cognition.

Bonothyrk (A-21) is a Khavinson parathyroid bioregulator taken as oral capsules for 30-day courses. One unindexed observation in 33 women showed improved bone density markers. Community reports focus on reduced muscle cramping. Effects persist months after stopping. Research is extremely limited.

Svetinorm is a Khavinson oral liver bioregulator containing peptide complex A-7. One clinical study (n=47) showed ALT and bilirubin stabilization in hepatitis patients. No RCTs exist. Capsule dosing runs 10 to 20 mg daily for 30-day courses, repeated two to three times yearly.

CCK-8 is the body's own meal-stop signal, a sulfated octapeptide that fires from the gut within minutes of eating. Its 2 to 5 minute half-life limits it to IV research settings. The FDA-approved diagnostic form (sincalide) has been in clinical use since 1976.

Glandokort is a Khavinson adrenal peptide bioregulator with one clinical study (n=36) showing improved stress tolerance and hormonal normalization at 10 mg twice daily for 30 days. Oral capsule format. The evidence is thin by Western standards, but community protocols mirror the original Russian research closely.