Glossary
Key terms and concepts in the world of peptides.
A
- Amino Acid
- The building blocks of proteins and peptides. There are 20 standard amino acids that combine in various sequences to form peptides and proteins.
- Angiogenesis
- The formation of new blood vessels from existing vasculature. Several healing peptides such as BPC-157 promote angiogenesis to accelerate tissue repair. View peptide →
- Anxiolytic
- A substance that reduces anxiety. Certain peptides like Selank exhibit anxiolytic properties by modulating neurotransmitter activity in the brain. View peptide →
B
- Bioavailability
- The proportion of a substance that enters circulation and is able to have an active effect. Administration route significantly affects peptide bioavailability.
- BPC-157
- Body Protection Compound-157, a pentadecapeptide derived from human gastric juice with potent tissue-healing and cytoprotective properties. View peptide →
C
- Cathelicidin
- A family of antimicrobial peptides found in humans (LL-37) that play a key role in innate immune defense against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. View peptide →
G
- GHRH
- Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone. A hypothalamic peptide that stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and secrete growth hormone. CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog. View peptide →
- GHRP
- Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide. A class of synthetic peptides that stimulate growth hormone release through the ghrelin receptor. Examples include GHRP-6 and Ipamorelin. View peptide →
- Growth Hormone
- A peptide hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and regeneration. Many peptides aim to naturally increase GH secretion.
H
- Half-life
- The time required for the concentration of a substance in the body to decrease by half. Peptide half-lives range from minutes to hours, influencing dosing frequency.
I
- Immunomodulation
- The regulation or adjustment of the immune system. Peptides like Thymosin Alpha-1 and BPC-157 exhibit immunomodulatory effects, balancing immune responses. View peptide →
- Intramuscular
- An injection administered into muscle tissue. Some peptides are delivered intramuscularly for faster systemic absorption compared to subcutaneous injection.
M
- Melanocortin
- A group of peptide hormones that bind to melanocortin receptors, involved in pigmentation, appetite, and sexual function. Melanotan II is a synthetic melanocortin analog. View peptide →
- Mitochondria
- Organelles responsible for cellular energy production. Certain peptides like SS-31 (Elamipretide) target mitochondria to improve function and reduce oxidative stress.
N
- Neuroprotection
- Mechanisms that protect neurons from damage or degeneration. Peptides such as Semax and Selank have demonstrated neuroprotective properties in preclinical studies. View peptide →
- Nootropic
- A substance that enhances cognitive function, including memory, focus, and learning. Nootropic peptides include Semax, Selank, and Dihexa. View peptide →
P
- Peptide
- A short chain of amino acids (typically 2-50) linked by peptide bonds. Peptides act as signaling molecules in the body and are smaller than proteins.
S
- Stack
- The practice of combining two or more peptides in a protocol to achieve synergistic effects. For example, BPC-157 and TB-500 are commonly stacked for healing.
- Subcutaneous
- An injection administered into the fatty tissue layer beneath the skin. This is the most common route of administration for peptides due to its ease and steady absorption.
T
- Telomere
- Protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that shorten with age. Some peptides like Epitalon are studied for their potential to activate telomerase and preserve telomere length. View peptide →