Peptide Evidence Scorecard

What the evidence says, at a glance.

Each peptide is rated on three things: how strong the evidence is in people, its FDA status, and whether it's banned in sport. Every rating links to a full guide with the sources behind it.

Last updated Oct 30, 2026 · 9 peptides

A
Retatrutide
Triple hormone agonist
Large phase 3 randomized trials show major weight loss and better blood sugar.
FDA
Investigational
Not yet approved; Lilly plans to file in early 2027. It cannot legally be compounded, and FDA has warned online sellers.
WADA
Banned in sport
Prohibited at all times as a drug still in development (S0).
My rating
9 out of 10
Sources in the Retatrutide guide →
A
Tesamorelin
GHRH analog
Large randomized trials led to FDA approval for reducing HIV-associated belly fat.
FDA
FDA-approved
Approved as Egrifta for HIV-associated lipodystrophy only, not for weight loss.
WADA
Banned in sport
Prohibited at all times as a growth hormone–releasing factor (S2).
My rating
6 out of 10
Sources in the Tesamorelin guide →
B
SS-31
mitochondria-targeted synthetic tetrapeptide
Several randomized trials of elamipretide, with mixed results; approved only for a rare disease.
FDA
FDA-approved
Elamipretide has accelerated approval for Barth syndrome only; it is not approved for fitness, recovery or performance.
WADA
Not named on WADA list
Not named on the 2026 list. Check with your anti-doping body before use.
My rating
No personal experience yet
Sources in the SS-31 guide →
C
GHK-Cu
Copper peptide
Small human studies of skin creams and gels; almost no human data on injections.
FDA
Not approved · FDA safety concerns
Not approved as a medicine. FDA has flagged compounded injectable GHK-Cu as a possible safety risk; it is widely used in cosmetics.
WADA
Conditional
Not named on the 2026 list, but the catch-all for unapproved substances may apply. Check with your anti-doping body.
My rating
6 out of 10
Sources in the GHK-Cu guide →
C
Ipamorelin
GH secretagogue
Early human studies, including one phase 2 trial that did not meet its main goal; development was stopped.
FDA
Not approved · FDA safety concerns
Not approved. FDA lists it among substances with significant safety risks, and its advisory panel voted 12–0 against compounding.
WADA
Banned in sport
Prohibited at all times as a growth hormone secretagogue (S2).
My rating
7 out of 10
Sources in the Ipamorelin guide →
C
NAD+
Cellular coenzyme
Many trials of oral NAD+ boosters with mixed results; NAD+ drips and injections themselves are barely studied.
FDA
Not approved · compounding under review
Not an FDA-approved drug. Listed as under evaluation for compounding; FDA proposed in 2019 not to allow it, with no final decision.
WADA
Conditional
NAD+ itself is not banned, but IV drips or injections over 100 mL in 12 hours are prohibited.
My rating
No personal experience yet
Sources in the NAD+ guide →
D
BPC-157
Tissue repair
Strong animal research, but only a few small human reports and no completed modern randomized trial.
FDA
Not approved · compounding under review
Not an approved medicine. An FDA advisory panel voted 8–6 for compounding in July 2026; the final decision is pending.
WADA
Banned in sport
Prohibited at all times (S0, non-approved substances).
My rating
10 out of 10
Sources in the BPC-157 guide →
D
TB-500
Tissue repair
TB-500 itself has no human trials; only the parent protein, thymosin beta-4, has small human studies.
FDA
Not approved · compounding under review
Not an approved medicine. An FDA advisory panel voted in favor of compounding in July 2026; the final decision is pending.
WADA
Banned in sport
Thymosin beta-4 and TB-500 are named on the prohibited list.
My rating
2 out of 10
Sources in the TB-500 guide →
F
MOTS-c
Mitochondrial peptide
Studied in mice and in people's natural levels, but synthetic MOTS-c has never been tested as a treatment in humans.
FDA
Not approved · compounding under review
Not an approved medicine. An FDA advisory panel voted 7–5 for compounding in July 2026; the final decision is pending.
WADA
Banned in sport
Prohibited at all times as a metabolic modulator (S4).
My rating
2 out of 10
Sources in the MOTS-c guide →

How we grade

The grade reflects only the strength of the published evidence in people, judged from the studies cited in each guide. It isn't a measure of safety or a recommendation. A peptide can have a good grade for one approved use and none for the uses it's marketed for.

ALarge randomized trials in people show a benefit, or a regulator has approved it for a use.
BSeveral randomized trials in people, but small, short, limited to one condition, or with mixed results.
CSmall or early human studies, or trials of a closely related form (e.g. oral boosters, skin creams).
DAlmost all evidence is from animals or cells; human data are limited to case reports, lab measurements, or studies of a parent molecule rather than the peptide itself.
FNo published studies of it as a treatment in people.

FDA status comes from FDA documents cited in each guide, such as approvals, compounding lists and advisory committee briefings. Sport status follows the World Anti-Doping Agency's2026 Prohibited List. Rules change, so athletes should always check with their own anti-doping organization.

My experience is my own 1–10 rating of how well each peptide has worked for me, with 10 the best. It's one person's experience, not evidence or a recommendation, and it doesn't change the grade. Peptides I haven't used have no rating.Read about my experience.

Ratings are reviewed whenever a guide is updated. If you think a rating is wrong, the guide's sources are the place to start.