Peptide Cheat Sheet: Every Compound, What It Does, and What to Know (Save This)

This guide breaks down the most commonly discussed peptides in one place like amount to take, run time, rest periods, benefits and how much actual evidence sits behind each one.

The vendor listed next to each compound is based on my own experience and what I personally recommend as the best place to start.

Here is how to read it:

Amount: how much is typically used based on research and community experience

Run time: how long most people use it for

Break: the rest period before starting again

Why take it: why people use it and what to keep in mind

Context: extra notes worth knowing before you start, including any cautions, limitations in the research or things that are commonly reported by people who have used it

1. Fat Loss and Weight Management

Peptide Name	Amount	Run Time	Break	Why Take It	Context
Semaglutide (GLP-1)	0.25 mg weekly injectable, increase gradually	12–16+ weeks	No standard break in medical use	Appetite control, weight loss, blood sugar support	Strongest evidence in this whole category; GI sides common early on
Tirzepatide (GLP-2)	2.5 mg weekly injectable, increase gradually	12–16+ weeks	No standard break in medical use	Weight loss, appetite, metabolic health	Strong clinical trial data; most people tolerate GI sides fine
Retatrutide (GLP-3)	1–12 mg weekly injectable escalation	24–48+ weeks	No standard cycling model	Triple receptor agonist; significant fat loss interest	Still investigational; GI effects and elevated heart rate have been noted
Cagrilintide	0.3–2.4 mg weekly injectable	12–24 weeks	No standard break	Appetite suppression	Often discussed alone or alongside GLP-1 compounds
Tesamorlin	1.28–2 mg daily injectable	12+ weeks	Goal dependent	Visceral fat, growth hormone axis support	FDA approved dosing exists; don't mix up formulation strengths
AOD-9604	0.25–0.5 mg daily injectable	4–12 weeks	2–4 weeks	Fat loss focused use	FDA has flagged limited safety data on compounded versions
MOTS-c	5–10 mg weekly injectable	4–8 weeks	2–4 weeks	Mitochondrial and metabolic support	Common in biohacking circles; still experimental
5-Amino-1MQ	25–50 mg daily oral	4–8 weeks	2–4 weeks	Energy, body composition, metabolic function	Not a traditional peptide; label as experimental

2. Injury Recovery and Healing

Peptide Name	Amount	Run Time	Break	Why Take It	Context
BPC-157 (Also in Spray form)	0.25–0.5 mg daily injectable or nasal	4–8 weeks	2–4 weeks	Gut health, tendon and ligament repair, tissue recovery	One of the most talked about healing peptides; most evidence is still preclinical
TB-500 / Thymosin Beta-4 / bpc157	2–5 mg weekly injectable	4–8 weeks	2–4 weeks	Full body recovery, mobility, tissue repair	Human data is still limited
BPC-157 + TB-500 Blend	0.25–0.5 mg each daily injectable or nasal	4–6 weeks	2–4 weeks	Soft tissue support, inflammation reduction	Popular recovery stack; still considered experimental
KPV	0.25–1 mg daily injectable or nasal	4–8 weeks	2–4 weeks	Gut lining support, inflammation, skin calming	Frequently discussed for GI and inflammatory issues
Thymosin Alpha-1	1.5–3 mg 2–3x weekly injectable	4–12 weeks	4 weeks	Immune regulation, inflammation support	More human literature behind it than most in this category
LL-37	0.1–0.25 mg daily injectable	2–6 weeks	2–4 weeks	Immune and antimicrobial support	Niche research compound; treat as experimental

3. Muscle Growth and Performance

Peptide Name	Amount	Run Time	Break	Why Take It	Context
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin	0.1–0.3 mg each, 1–2x daily injectable	8–12 weeks	3–4 weeks	GH support, sleep quality, recovery, lean mass	One of the most widely used recovery stacks
CJC-1295 DAC	1–2 mg 1–2x weekly injectable	8–12 weeks	3–4 weeks	Longer acting GH support	Dosing schedule is very different from the no-DAC version
Ipamorelin	0.2–0.3 mg 1–2x daily injectable	8–12 weeks	3–4 weeks	Recovery, sleep, GH signaling	Works well solo or stacked with CJC-1295
Sermorelin	0.1–0.3 mg nightly injectable	8–16 weeks	3–4 weeks	GH secretagogue, sleep, recovery	Better recognized clinically than most research peptides
GHRP-2	0.1–0.3 mg 1–3x daily injectable	6–12 weeks	3–4 weeks	GH release, recovery, appetite effects	More aggressive profile than Ipamorelin
GHRP-6	0.1–0.3 mg 1–3x daily injectable	6–12 weeks	3–4 weeks	GH release, appetite stimulation	FDA has flagged glucose and cortisol concerns for compounded versions
Hexarelin	0.1–0.2 mg daily injectable	4–8 weeks	3–4 weeks	Potent GH secretagogue	Not for beginners; advanced use only
IGF-1 LR3	0.02–0.05 mg daily injectable	4–6 weeks	4 weeks	Muscle growth, recovery, satellite cell activity	Higher risk category; glucose and growth signaling concerns apply
IGF-1 DES	0.02–0.1 mg injectable near training or target area	3–4 weeks	4 weeks	Localized recovery and anabolic interest	Niche bodybuilding research use

4. Brain, Focus and Mood

Peptide Name	Amount	Run Time	Break	Why Take It	Context
Semax (Also in Spray form)	0.3–1 mg daily nasal, split doses	2–4 weeks	1–2 weeks	Focus, cognition, brain support, mood	Widely discussed intranasally in nootropic communities
Selank (Also in Spray form)	0.25–0.5 mg 1–3x daily nasal	2–4 weeks	1–2 weeks	Calm focus, anxiety support, mood balance	Frequently paired with Semax
DSIP	0.1–0.3 mg nightly injectable	2–6 weeks	1–2 weeks	Sleep support and recovery	Popular anecdotally; evidence is still developing
Oxytocin	16–40 IU nasal per use or 1–10 IU injectable	As needed or short blocks	As needed	Social connection, mood, intimacy	Context of use matters a lot here
Dihexa	10–30 mg daily oral or 3–5 mg topical to inner wrist daily	2–6 weeks	2–4 weeks	Cognitive performance interest	Highly experimental; not for beginners

5. Skin, Hair and Anti-Aging

Peptide Name	Amount	Run Time	Break	Why Take It	Context
GHK-Cu (Also in Spray form)	1–2 mg daily injectable or 1–5% cream topical 1–2x daily	4–8 weeks	2–4 weeks	Skin quality, hair, wound support	Strong cosmetic use case; most interest is here
Melanotan II	0.25–1 mg daily injectable, loading then maintenance	4–8 weeks	2–4 weeks	Tanning, libido, appetite effects	Mole changes and pigmentation concerns are commonly reported
Melanotan I	16 mg implant or 1–2 mg daily injectable	Product specific	Product specific	Pigmentation use	Keep separate from MT-II; very different evidence and context
SS-31	1–10 mg daily injectable	4–8 weeks	2–4 weeks	Mitochondrial protection, cellular health, anti-aging	Highly regarded in longevity research; targets mitochondrial membrane directly

6. Immune System and Longevity

Peptide Name	Amount	Run Time	Break	Why Take It	Context
Thymosin Alpha-1	1.5–3 mg 2–3x weekly injectable	4–12 weeks	4 weeks	Immune support, inflammation modulation	One of the more well-supported compounds in this space
NAD+ (Also in Spray form)	250–1,000 mg IV or 25–100 mg daily injectable or 250–500 mg daily oral	4–12 weeks	2–4 weeks	Energy, cognition, mitochondrial health	Popular in wellness clinics; route and formulation matter
Thymalin	5–10 mg daily injectable for 10 consecutive days	10–20 days	1–3 months	Immune and longevity focused use	Niche; mostly discussed in longevity circles
MOTS-c	5–10 mg weekly injectable	4–8 weeks	2–4 weeks	Metabolic and mitochondrial support	Also fits under the metabolic category

7. Sexual Health and Libido

Peptide Name	Amount	Run Time	Break	Why Take It	Context
PT-141 (Also in Spray form)	1–2 mg injectable or nasal as needed	As needed	As needed	Libido and sexual function	An approved medical product exists; nausea is a common side effect
Oxytocin	16–40 IU nasal or 1–10 IU injectable	As needed	As needed	Bonding, intimacy, mood	Crossover compound; also listed under brain and mood
Melanotan II	0.25–1 mg daily injectable, loading then maintenance	4–8 weeks	2–4 weeks	Tanning, libido, appetite effects	Also listed under skin and anti-aging

8. Advanced and Experimental

Peptide Name	Amount	Run Time	Break	Context
Dihexa	10–30 mg daily oral or 3–5 mg topical to inner wrist daily	2–6 weeks	2–4 weeks	Highly experimental; approach with serious caution
IGF-1 LR3	0.02–0.05 mg daily injectable	4–6 weeks	4 weeks	Advanced use; glucose and growth signaling concerns
IGF-1 DES	0.02–0.1 mg injectable	3–4 weeks	4 weeks	Niche and advanced use only
Hexarelin	0.1–0.2 mg daily injectable	4–8 weeks	3–4 weeks	Better suited for experienced users
LL-37	0.1–0.25 mg daily injectable	2–6 weeks	2–4 weeks	Experimental; handle with care

9. Popular Blends and Stacks

Blend	Common Use	Context
BPC-157 + TB-500	Injury recovery and tissue repair	Always check how much of each compound is in the blend, not just the total
Cagrilintide + GLP-1	Appetite control and metabolic support	Confirm whether the listed amount refers to each ingredient or the combined total

Important! Please Read:

Everything here is for educational purposes only. None of this is medical advice. The majority of these compounds have not been approved by the FDA for human use and several have been flagged for safety concerns including immunogenicity, blood sugar effects and limited long term data.

Know what you're buying and who you're buying it from. At the end of the day what you put in your body is your responsibility and yours alone.