Peptides: the facts, minus the hype.
There's a lot of noise about peptides online. This is a short, plain-language guide to what the research actually says. Tap any card to read more.
Education only, not medical advice. Nothing here is a recommendation to use them. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before making any health decision.
So what is a peptide? A short chain of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Your body makes thousands of them. Insulin is a peptide.
Why it matters: "Peptide" describes the chemistry. It says nothing about whether a product works, is safe or is legal.
Myth or fact?
"Peptides are natural, so they're safe."
"'Research use only' means it's fine to buy."
"Powder semaglutide is the same as Ozempic."
"BPC-157 is proven to heal injuries."
"Weight often comes back after stopping GLP-1s."
"Peptides won't show up in a sports drug test."
Peptide guide
SemaglutideOzempic · Wegovy · RybelsusA weekly GLP-1 medicine that reduces appetite and helps control blood sugar.Tap for more ›
How it worksCopies GLP-1, a gut hormone that slows digestion and tells your brain you're full.
What the research showsIn a large trial, adults lost about 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. It's registered in SA: Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight management.
Watch outNausea, constipation, and rarely gallbladder or pancreas problems. Some of the weight lost is muscle. Weight often returns after stopping. Avoid powders and "compounded" versions.
TirzepatideMounjaro · ZepboundA weekly "dual" medicine acting on two appetite hormones (GLP-1 and GIP).Tap for more ›
How it worksWorks like semaglutide but also activates GIP, a second gut hormone.
What the research showsUp to about 21% weight loss over 72 weeks in trials. SAHPRA approved Mounjaro for diabetes (2024) and for weight management (2025).
Watch outThe same gut side effects as other GLP-1s. Only use genuine pens from a pharmacy with a prescription.
LiraglutideSaxenda · VictozaAn older daily GLP-1 injection, and the forerunner of semaglutide.Tap for more ›
What the research showsAround 8% weight loss in about a year. It works, but less than the newer weekly options.
Watch outDaily injections, plus the usual GLP-1 gut side effects.
Retatrutide"Reta" · triple agonistAn experimental weekly drug acting on three hormones: GLP-1, GIP and glucagon.Tap for more ›
What the research showsPhase 3 trials (2025–26) showed about 28% average weight loss over 80 weeks at the highest dose, the most of any drug so far.
Watch outIt's still in trials, so anything sold today is not the real, approved product. Gut side effects, and more people stopped because of side effects at higher doses.
CagriSemacagrilintide + semaglutideSemaglutide combined with an amylin hormone mimic in one weekly shot.Tap for more ›
What the research showsAround 20–23% weight loss in trials. In a head-to-head trial it lost slightly to tirzepatide. It's under review by the US FDA.
Watch outNot approved yet, so any "CagriSema" for sale is unregulated. Nausea was common in trials.
OrforglipronFoundayo · the GLP-1 pillA daily tablet that acts like a GLP-1. Technically not a peptide.Tap for more ›
What the research showsApproved in the US in April 2026. Weight loss was smaller than with the injections, but you don't need needles.
Watch outSimilar gut side effects. A pill being easier to take doesn't make it risk-free.
BPC-157"Body Protection Compound"A lab-made fragment of a stomach protein, hyped for healing injuries.Tap for more ›
What people claimFaster healing of tendons, muscles and the gut.
What the research showsLots of rat studies and almost no proper human trials. We simply don't know if it works or is safe in people.
Watch outUnknown long-term effects, contamination risk, and banned in sport.
TB-500Thymosin beta-4 fragmentA synthetic piece of a natural repair protein, sold for recovery.Tap for more ›
What the research showsInteresting lab and animal results. No solid human evidence for injury recovery.
Watch outUnregistered, banned in sport, and the purity of what's sold is unknown.
BPC-157 + TB-500 blends"Wolverine stack"Two unproven peptides mixed together.Tap for more ›
What the research showsNothing. The combination has never been studied, so the claims are pure marketing.
Somatropin (HGH)Human growth hormoneA real medicine for people whose bodies don't make enough growth hormone.Tap for more ›
What the research showsLife-changing for diagnosed deficiency. In healthy adults, studies found a little extra lean mass but no real strength gain, and more side effects.
Watch outJoint pain, swelling, carpal tunnel, raised blood sugar. Banned in sport, and fakes are common.
TesamorelinEgriftaPrompts your own body to release growth hormone.Tap for more ›
What the research showsApproved in the US for one specific use: reducing deep belly fat in people with HIV. It's not proven for general fat loss or anti-ageing.
Watch outJoint pain, swelling and raised blood sugar.
CJC-1295 (with or without DAC)Mod GRF 1-29 (no DAC)A lab-made signal that tells the body to release more growth hormone.Tap for more ›
What the research showsSmall early studies in the 2000s showed it raises growth hormone levels. Development stopped and it was never approved.
Watch outHigher growth hormone levels bring the same risks as HGH misuse. Banned in sport.
IpamorelinOften sold with CJC-1295Mimics ghrelin, the "hunger hormone", to trigger growth hormone release.Tap for more ›
What the research showsIt was tested in people for gut recovery after surgery and failed to beat a placebo. There are no trials for muscle or fat loss.
AOD-9604HGH fragment 176-191A piece of growth hormone that was developed as a fat-loss drug.Tap for more ›
What the research showsHuman weight-loss trials in the 2000s didn't beat a placebo, and development was dropped. It's a good example of hype outliving the science.
Melanotan II"Tanning injection" · nasal sprayA lab-made hormone mimic that darkens the skin without sun.Tap for more ›
What the research showsIt does cause tanning, but it was never approved anywhere for that.
Watch outNausea and flushing. New or darkening moles have been reported, which can make skin cancer harder to spot. Get any changing mole checked.
GHK-CuCopper peptideA natural copper-carrying peptide that's popular in serums.Tap for more ›
What the research showsIn creams, small studies show better firmness and fewer fine lines. Injected versions have almost no human research.
Watch outUsing it on your skin is very different from injecting it.
MOTS-cMitochondrial peptideA peptide made by your mitochondria, the cell's "power plants".Tap for more ›
What the research showsExciting mouse results on metabolism and endurance. Almost nothing in humans so far.
EpithalonEpitalonMarketed as an anti-ageing peptide that "lengthens telomeres".Tap for more ›
What the research showsThe research comes mostly from one group in Russia and hasn't been well repeated by independent scientists. The anti-ageing claims are unproven.
NAD+Not actually a peptideA molecule every cell uses for energy, and a big "longevity" trend.Tap for more ›
What the research showsOral boosters (NR, NMN) do raise NAD+ levels, but clear health benefits in people haven't been shown yet.
Watch outDrips and injections can cause flushing, nausea and chest tightness.
GlutathioneThe "master antioxidant"A tiny 3-amino-acid peptide your body makes to fight oxidative stress.Tap for more ›
What the research showsSome studies show that taking it daily for months raises your levels. Evidence for real-world benefits is still thin.
Watch outInjectable "skin-lightening" glutathione is unproven and carries risks.
Collagen peptidesHydrolysed collagenCollagen broken into small pieces so it mixes into drinks.Tap for more ›
What the research showsTrials show better skin hydration and elasticity after 8–12 weeks, with some support for joint comfort. Note that many studies are industry-funded.
CreatineNot a peptide, often confused with oneOne of the best-researched sports supplements in the world.Tap for more ›
What the research showsIt reliably helps strength and power in training, and it's safe for healthy people at normal amounts. Expect a little water weight.
The bottom line: a few peptides are proven, registered medicines that work best with a doctor involved. Many others are sold on hype, with little or no human evidence and no quality control.
Had a side effect from a health product? Report it to SAHPRA at adr@sahpra.org.za.
This page is for general education and doesn't replace advice from a registered healthcare professional. Information is current as of November 2026. Sources include SAHPRA public warnings, published clinical trials and regulatory announcements.