Performance Peptides
Growth hormone secretagogues, GHRH analogs, and hormonal compounds, with the IGF-1 data behind them.
Performance compounds mostly work upstream: rather than supplying growth hormone, they push the pituitary to release its own. GHRH analogs (sermorelin, tesamorelin, CJC-1295) and ghrelin mimetics (ipamorelin, MK-677) raise IGF-1, and IGF-1 is the biomarker nearly every study in this category reports. A handful hold real approvals, tesamorelin for visceral fat and somatropin for deficiency; most do not. Read the grade beside each name before the claim.
hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
S-gradeAn FDA-approved hormone that mimics LH, restoring the body's own testosterone and sperm production, the label dates to 1962.
Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin Blend
B-gradeA single-vial blend pairing FDA-approved GHRH analog Tesamorelin with the selective ghrelin-agonist Ipamorelin for a combined GH pulse in one injection.
CJC-1295 (no-DAC) + Ipamorelin Blend
C-gradeA single-vial blend pairing short-acting CJC-1295 (no-DAC) with Ipamorelin for a clean, physiological GH pulse in one shot.
Ipamorelin
C-gradeA selective GH secretagogue (ghrelin mimetic) that raises growth hormone with minimal effect on cortisol or appetite.
CJC-1295 (DAC)
D-gradeThe long-acting form of CJC-1295: a DAC tag extends its half-life to days for a sustained growth hormone bleed.
PT-141
S-gradeA melanocortin agonist used to enhance sexual desire and arousal in both men and women, acting on the brain rather than vasculature.
Somatropin (HGH)
S-gradeRecombinant human growth hormone, a 191-amino-acid polypeptide identical to the body's own pituitary GH, sold under brands including Humatrope and Genotropin.
MK-677
A-gradeAn oral ghrelin-receptor agonist that raises growth hormone and IGF-1 around the clock without injections.
Kisspeptin-10
B-gradeA decapeptide fragment of human kisspeptin, sitting upstream of the entire reproductive hormone axis by triggering GnRH release.
CJC-1295 (no-DAC)
C-gradeThe short-acting form of CJC-1295 (Mod GRF 1-29): a sharp, pulsatile GH release that closely mimics natural rhythm.
GHRP-2
C-gradeA potent growth hormone releasing peptide (ghrelin mimetic) that triggers a strong GH pulse, often stacked with a GHRH.
Gonadorelin
C-gradeA synthetic copy of GnRH, the body's own upstream trigger for testosterone, used by TRT clinics to keep the testes active during therapy.
Sermorelin
C-gradeA classic 29-amino-acid GHRH fragment, historically FDA-approved as Geref, clears fast, keeping GH release in its natural pulsatile rhythm.
GHRP-6
D-gradeAn early growth hormone releasing peptide known for a strong GH pulse and pronounced appetite stimulation.
Follistatin-344
F-gradeA myostatin-blocking peptide with real biology behind it, but the injectable product sold to researchers has essentially no human evidence of its own.
IGF-1 LR3
F-gradeA long-acting analog of insulin-like growth factor 1 that drives muscle growth and recovery, with a strong effect on blood sugar.
Guides in this category
Best Peptides for Muscle Growth
Compare the best peptides for muscle growth, recovery, and body composition. Evidence-based rankings of CJC-1295, ipamorelin, and more.
Best Peptides for Sleep
Compare the best peptides for sleep quality: DSIP, ipamorelin, CJC-1295, Selank, epithalon. Evidence-based rankings with dosing.
Best Peptides for Beginners
The peptides most often started first, ranked by evidence quality and safety profile rather than popularity.
Best Peptides for Sexual Health
Compare peptides for libido, arousal, and hormonal support. Evidence-based rankings of PT-141, kisspeptin-10, and more.
CJC-1295 (DAC) vs Ipamorelin
CJC-1295 (DAC) vs Ipamorelin: mechanism, dosing, evidence grade, and side effects compared side by side, with citations.
Sermorelin vs CJC-1295 (DAC)
Sermorelin vs CJC-1295 (DAC): mechanism, dosing, evidence grade, and side effects compared side by side, with citations.
Performance peptide questions
How many performance peptides are there?
This library covers 16 performance compounds, each graded from S (regulatory approval) to F (no usable evidence).
Which performance peptide has the strongest evidence?
hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) carries the highest research grade in this category at S. An FDA-approved hormone that mimics LH, restoring the body's own testosterone and sperm production, the label dates to 1962.
What does the research grade mean?
The grade describes how well a compound has been measured in humans, not how well it works. S means regulatory approval; D means animal data only. Popularity and anecdote do not affect it.