Thursday, May 14, 2026

Peptides and Wellness

 PEPTIDES

Peptides are all the rage now. But what are they exactly?

Peptides are small molecules made from amino acids, the same building blocks your body uses to make proteins. Think of peptides as tiny messengers. They help cells communicate and coordinate important jobs throughout the body.

Your body naturally produces many peptides every day. Some help regulate hunger and blood sugar. Others support healing, inflammation control, skin repair, sleep, or hormone signaling.  Due to to stress or illness, we often deplete these peptides faster than our bodies can replenish them. Modern medicine has learned how to copy or modify certain peptides to create treatments for specific health conditions.

One well-known example is insulin, a peptide used to treat diabetes. Another is the newer class of GLP-1 medications used for weight management and blood sugar control. These medicines work by sending signals that influence appetite, digestion, and metabolism. Hundreds of peptides are being studied for medical and wellness use. 

Recently, peptides have become popular in wellness and anti-aging marketing. Peptides can improve energy, build muscle, reduce fat, speed recovery, improve skin, or slow aging.  But it all oeptides are the same. We purchase our peptides from Nuvamed or Skydell, both medical compounding pharmacies that produce their products in the U.S. They utilize third party testing and come with a certificate of purity. Therapies are backed by strong scientific evidence.

Popular ones we stock that I feel have really good scientific evidence are below:

BPC-157

  • Studied primarily for tissue repair and healing
  • Often discussed for tendon, ligament, muscle, and gut support
  • Animal studies suggest possible anti-inflammatory effects
  • Commonly promoted in sports recovery and injury rehabilitation
  • I used this after my husband came home from his spinal cord injury

TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment)

  • Associated with wound healing and tissue repair
  • May support muscle recovery and flexibility
  • Studied for effects on inflammation and cell migration
  • Popular in performance and recovery communities
  • Another one I used for my husband after he came home from his spinal cord injury

Selank

  • Synthetic peptide developed in Russia
  • Studied for anxiety reduction and stress regulation
  • Sometimes described as promoting calm focus without sedation
  • Research has explored effects on mood and cognition
  • My favorite one, and I use it everyday.

Semax

  • Synthetic peptide also developed in Russia
  • Investigated for cognitive support, focus, and memory
  • Studied in stroke recovery and neurologic function
  • May influence brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
  • Felt to help with focus in ADD patients

Epithalon (Epitalon)

  • Marketed in longevity and anti-aging medicine
  • Studied for possible effects on cellular aging and melatonin regulation
  • Interest centers on telomeres and sleep regulation
  • Our RN, Kathy, used this to finally get good quality sleep
  • It is used for 20 days, two times a year. 

Glutathione

  • Powerful antioxidant naturally produced by the body
  • Helps protect cells from oxidative stress
  • Supports liver detoxification pathways
  • Commonly used in wellness and skin-brightening clinics
  • I used this one as well in my husband after his spinal cord injury

NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)

  • Coenzyme involved in cellular energy production
  • Central to mitochondrial function and metabolism
  • Popular in longevity and fatigue-focused therapies
  • Often marketed for energy, cognitive support, and recovery
  • And another one I used for my husband post spinal cord injury,.

Ipamorelin

  • Growth hormone secretagogue
  • Stimulates release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland
  • Often discussed for recovery, sleep, body composition, and muscle preservation
  • Considered more selective than older growth hormone stimulators
  • Usually combined with other peptides in wellness clinics
  • I've combined it with sermorelin in a pulsed dosed protocol to help my husband rebuild muscle

Sermorelin

  • Synthetic version of growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH)
  • Encourages the body’s natural growth hormone production
  • Used in some anti-aging and hormone optimization practices
  • Studied for sleep, recovery, lean mass, and vitality
  • Generally viewed as milder than direct growth hormone therapy
  • I have now combined this one with ipamorelin to help my husband build muscle post spinal cord injury

GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)

  • Naturally occurring copper-binding peptide
  • Commonly used in skincare and hair restoration products
  • Studied for collagen production and wound healing
  • May support skin elasticity and tissue repair
  • Often found in cosmetic serums and topical formulations

MOTS-C

  • Mitochondria-derived peptide
  • Studied for metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and exercise performance
  • Research focuses on energy regulation and healthy aging
  • Mostly investigated in animal studies so far
  • Growing interest in longevity medicine

Thymosin Alpha-1

  • Peptide involved in immune system regulation
  • Studied in infections, immune dysfunction, and cancer support
  • May help enhance T-cell function
  • Used in some countries as part of immune therapies
  • Research is more developed than for many wellness peptides

    NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)

    • Natural coenzyme found in every cell in the body
    • Essential for cellular energy production and mitochondrial function
    • Helps cells convert food into usable energy
    • Plays a role in DNA repair and healthy aging processes
    • Levels naturally decline with age
    • Commonly marketed for energy, mental clarity, recovery, and longevity
    • Studied for possible benefits in metabolism, brain health, and fatigue

    Glutathione

    • Powerful antioxidant naturally produced by the body
    • Helps protect cells from oxidative stress and free radical damage
    • Supports liver detoxification pathways
    • Plays an important role in immune system function
    • Commonly used in wellness and recovery medicine
    • Studied for liver health, inflammation, and cellular protection
    • Sometimes promoted for skin brightening and anti-aging


    Many peptides are available as "blends" because they work synergistically. You may have heard the terms, GLOW, Wolverine, KLOW, Revive, Tone, Sculpt, Gain, etc. 


We closely monitor the peptides you choose to use. They are shipped to our office. We will review benefits and possible side effects with you. One of our nurses will reconstitute the vial(s) for you and you will be given a supply of insulin syringes and alcohol pads and be shown exactly how to dose yourself at home. You will also be sent home with an informational sheet with dosing guidelines for every peptide. Dr. Trussell is always available for questions after hours.

Again, there are many more peptides out there than the ones I've listed. If you are looking for a specific one, please ask us. If I am comfortable with the safety of it, I will be happy to order for you.

501-228-6237