The basics
What is a peptide?
Short answer: peptides are small proteins. Your body makes thousands of them. Some are now available as therapies — and there's real research behind them. Here's what you need to know, without the hype.
The simple version
Proteins are made of amino acids — think of them as chains. Peptides are just short chains, typically between 2 and 50 amino acids long. Once the chain gets longer than that, scientists call it a protein.
Your body naturally produces peptides that act as signaling molecules — they tell your cells what to do. Insulin is a peptide. So is oxytocin. The peptides discussed on this platform are either identical to ones your body already makes, or are synthetic analogs designed to mimic or enhance those natural signals.
How do peptide therapies work?
Different peptides target different systems. Some stimulate growth hormone release from the pituitary gland (like Ipamorelin and CJC-1295). Others support tissue repair (like BPC-157), regulate blood sugar and appetite (like Semaglutide), or modulate immune function (like Thymosin Alpha-1).
Because peptides are so specific in what they target, they tend to have fewer side effects than broad-acting drugs — though "fewer" doesn't mean "none." Every compound has a risk-benefit profile, and that profile depends on the quality of the evidence behind it.
Key things to understand
Not all peptides are FDA-approved
Some peptides like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide have full FDA approval. Many others — BPC-157, Ipamorelin, TB-500 — are available through compounding pharmacies under physician supervision, but haven't gone through the full FDA approval process.
Evidence quality varies widely
Some peptides have large-scale human clinical trials (Semaglutide has thousands of participants across multiple studies). Others have primarily animal or in-vitro data. We grade every compound's evidence so you can see exactly where it stands.
They require a prescription
Legitimate peptide therapy goes through a licensed physician who evaluates whether a specific peptide is appropriate for your situation. They're not supplements you buy off a shelf.
Source matters
Peptides from compounding pharmacies operating under FDA-regulated 503A or 503B frameworks are held to quality standards. Products from unregulated online sources may contain contaminants, wrong dosages, or entirely different compounds.
What this platform does differently
Most peptide information online comes from companies selling them, influencers promoting them, or forums with zero quality control. TruthTides exists to fix that.
HRT & peptides
Each compound graded by the strength of its clinical evidence
Every claim cited
Sources you can look up and verify yourself
No sales agenda
We don't sell peptides, prescriptions, or consultations