Peptide Therapy: What It Is, Benefits & Who Can Benefit

It’s no secret that we all believe things go downhill after 30 — if you need proof, just check the greeting card aisle. Our bodies start to age, and perform at less than optimal levels. Sometimes it even happens long before this milestone birthday.

Introducing: peptide therapy. This treatment isn’t brand new, but public awareness is rising, and people have questions. In this article, we’ll explain what peptide therapy is, what benefits it offers, and who can benefit.

What are peptides?

Proteins are found all throughout the body, from building tissue to making hormones, and even in our blood. Peptides are simply short chains of amino acids, and long strands of peptides build protein.

These partial pieces of protein, peptides, can stimulate or boost certain processes in your body, from body fat loss to plumping thin skin to helping your brain process more efficiently. There are many types of peptides, but some of the most well-known include:

  • Bremelanotide (PT-141)
  • Cerebrolysin
  • Glutathione
  • Bradykinin
  • Aspartame
  • Epithalon
  • Follistatin
  • Growth hormone
  • Oxytocin
  • Somatostatin
  • GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone)
  • Thymosin Alpha 1
  • Ghrelin
  • Endothelin
  • Netropsin
  • MGF
  • Sermorelin
  • GHRP 2
  • GHRP 6
  • IGF-1

Each of these peptides has a different effect on the body, based on the sequence of amino acids that they contain. Some, like follistatin, have been banned, while you might notice others in your face creams. Currently, science has discovered over 7,000 types of peptides.

Before you go thinking that these amino acids are straight out of Alien, you should know that insulin was the first peptide approved in the United States. Peptides are already in use around you every day.

So, why choose these tiny pieces of what would be a protein? Well, some research indicates that peptides may be easier for the body to absorb than free-floating amino acids and may also be easier to break down than protein.

Peptides attach to receptors on the surface of the cell, where they begin to communicate with and direct other molecules. Each bioavailable peptide can affect the body in a targeted, therapeutic way during peptide treatment.

What conditions can peptide therapy treat?

  1. Compromised Immune System
  2. Cognition/Brain Degeneration
  3. Skin Inflammation & Signs of Aging
  4. Metabolic & Weight Disorders
  5. Diminished Muscle and Strength

The FDA has approved over 60 peptide medications since 2015 and hundreds more are in development or clinical trials. The peptide renaissance is upon us, it seems, as we learn of new ways that peptide therapy can treat many conditions, like those below.

Compromised Immune System

Peptide therapy has promise in treating a host of immune function issues: treating various allergies, promoting faster wound healing and tissue repair, and boasting antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. 

There are even ongoing clinical trials for peptides as a means to treat type 1 diabetes, an amazing breakthrough for this autoimmune disease. Other peptides may play a role in treating chronic fatigue.

Cognition/Brain Degeneration

Certain peptides can help with a sense of calm, curiosity, motivation, and even concentration. Preliminary research shows that neuropeptides may be able to help with OCD and even improve overall cognitive function.

A variety of peptides play a role in how the brain works, and for parents of children with special needs, this field holds great promise.

Skin & Signs of Aging

Peptides have had a big name in the skincare industry for several years now, with labels on various products touting their use of peptides. One review found that peptides can reduce pigmentation and inflammation issues in the skin and potentially help cell turnover.

Another study discovered that when peptides were applied to aging skin, they “deeply and intensely” combatted wrinkles. 

Metabolic & Weight Disorders

Certain peptides have been suggested to boost your natural growth hormones to aid in fat breakdown and speed up metabolism, avoiding obesity. Some treatments are already available, and even more research is being done to tackle type 2 diabetes and metabolic disorders.

Some of these peptides even have additional positive effects, such as improving osteoarthritis, lowering cholesterol, and repairing bones and joints. That’s a powerful combination!

Diminished Muscle and Strength

If you’re looking to regain muscle mass, peptide therapy may be the right fit for you. One study showed that when collagen peptides were taken in conjunction with strength training, they increased strength and muscle growth.

How Peptide Treatment Works

So, how does peptide therapy work? Peptide therapy works by taking a prescribed dose of peptides that addresses specific issues in the body. While some people want to buy peptides and self-supplement at the grocery store, supervised and expertly administered peptide therapy is the best option.

Some settle for over-the-counter supplements that include peptides, or heaping a scoop of collagen peptides into a smoothie every morning. Others choose a topical, peptide cream for their skincare routine. 

However, with a medical professional, what does peptide therapy look like?

Prescribed peptide therapy is usually administered by subcutaneous injection, though some come in the form of a nasal spray, a pill, or even a gel. 

Most clinicians agree that injection is the most bioavailable form of peptide therapy, as some of the molecules are hard to digest well.

You may likely start off with daily injections, but your doctor may decrease your dosage over time. Even if you aren’t a needle fan, you’ll soon see the benefits of how peptide therapy works far outweigh a quick pinch.

Most Common Peptides and Their Uses

All peptide therapies are not created equal. What can the most common peptides do, and how long does it take peptides to work? It takes different peptides different amounts of time to become effective, but here are the most popular ones.

Sermorelin

What is it used for? Sermorelin mimics human growth hormone (HGH), which is produced by the pituitary gland. Often, our levels of HGH wane as we age. This peptide used to treat sleep issues, as well as speeding up a slowing metabolism, stabilizing mood, and gaining lean muscle mass. 

How long does it take to work? While more restful sleep is almost an immediate side effect, sermorelin can build up in your system over the course of three to six months for greater results. In some cases, it even increases sex drive.

Cerebrolysin

What is it used for? Cerebrolysin is a mix of specific peptides that is used to repair and restore brain function in cases of dementia, brain injury, and other cognitive difficulties. It is used already in Europe and Asia, but is awaiting FDA approval in the USA.

How long does it take to work? Cerebrolysin takes roughly 4 weeks to start displaying positive results.

Epitalon

What is it used for? Epitalon may lengthen telomeres in our cells, which can provide anti-aging effects. It’s also reported to regulate melatonin hormone production, improving sleep, lowering cortisol (a stress hormone) levels, and balancing mood.

How long does it take to work? Cases vary, but most sources point to 50 days of daily dosage as the “magic” number to see the full benefits of Epitalon. Once this initial period ends, doses can be repeated every 6 months or so as needed.

Thymosin alpha-1

What is it used for? Thymosin alpha-1 is used to boost immune function and response to disease. It has been used to treat hepatitis B and C and may be effective to improve outcomes in some cases of carcinomas, melanoma, tuberculosis, cancer, and viral diseases. Chronic fatigue and Lyme disease have also responded well to Thymosin alpha-1 in studies.

How long does it take to work? 6 months of thymosin alpha-1 dosage may be needed to see its full effects.

Melanotan II

What is it used for? Melanotan ii is used for a broad scope of purposes, the most common being preventing skin cancer while increasing tanning, promoting fat loss, and treating erectile dysfunction. 

How long does it take to work? The visual benefits of melanotan are evident quickly in tanning sessions, as well as the almost instant effects of its libido boost. Dosage, however, should be regular and ongoing.

Who can benefit from peptide therapy?

In short, almost anyone can benefit from peptide therapy, from children and those with immune issues to people feeling the effects of the aging process. Since peptides typically trigger your body’s natural processes, almost anyone seeking great health can benefit from them.

Side Effects of Peptide Therapy

While the benefits sound incredible, you’re likely asking: what are the side effects of using peptides? They are marginal, but to put your mind at ease, here’s a quick list of what may happen, though side effects of peptide therapy are relatively rare:

  • Itching around the injection site
  • Extra water retention (which usually signals that your dosage is too high)
  • Greater levels of hunger
  • A dry mouth
  • Numb or tingling sensations
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Pain in the kidneys or joints
  • Decreased fertility

If you experience any of these symptoms, inform your doctor immediately so that they can either adjust your dosage or find a better peptide fit for you.

Where to Get Peptide Therapy

Since peptide therapy seems to be on the cutting edge of therapeutic treatment, it may be hard to find at just any doctor’s office. Generally, you’ll want to look for a functional medicine doctor to find this treatment, or you might find it at some holistic health spas in your area.

If you’re in the Roswell, Georgia area, contact us at The M Center so we can walk through what peptide therapy is right for you! We would be thrilled to show you its benefits.

No matter who you approach for peptide therapy, the benefits are astounding as we learn more about and see for ourselves what these little peptides can do.

Sources

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