Peptide Therapy Explained
What peptides are, how they work, and why the regulatory landscape matters.
What peptides are
Peptides are short chains of amino acids — typically 2 to 50 amino acids linked together. Your body produces thousands of them naturally. They act as signaling molecules: telling cells to repair tissue, release hormones, reduce inflammation, or produce energy.
Therapeutic peptides are synthetic versions of naturally occurring peptides. They’re not steroids, not hormones, and not supplements. They’re prescription medications compounded at licensed pharmacies and prescribed by licensed clinicians.
How they work
Different peptides target different biological pathways. Sermorelin stimulates your pituitary gland to release growth hormone. NAD+ restores a coenzyme essential for mitochondrial energy production. GHK-Cu activates tissue remodeling and collagen synthesis. BPC-157 supports gut lining repair and connective tissue healing.
The key distinction from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is that most peptides work with your body’s existing feedback loops rather than replacing output directly. Sermorelin doesn’t inject growth hormone — it tells your pituitary to make more of its own.
The regulatory landscape
Peptides are regulated under FDA sections 503A and 503B, which govern pharmacy compounding. Category 1 peptides (like sermorelin and NAD+) are legally compoundable — pharmacies can compound them from bulk ingredients under a valid prescription.
Some peptides move between categories as FDA reviews evolve. BPC-157, for example, was temporarily moved to Category 2 (restrictions) and is pending a return to Category 1 at the July 2026 PCAC meeting. We only prescribe peptides with current Category 1 status.
Gray market vs. prescription
A significant portion of peptide use in the U.S. happens outside the regulated medical system. Research-grade peptides sold online are labeled “not for human use” but are widely used by self-experimenters. These products have no pharmaceutical quality controls, no dosing guidance, and no clinical oversight.
LodeRx exists because we believe people who want peptide therapy deserve the same quality controls as any other prescription medication: a licensed clinician, a certified pharmacy, pharmaceutical-grade compounds, and ongoing lab monitoring.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. All treatment decisions are made by licensed clinicians based on individual patient evaluations and lab results. Content reviewed by the LodeRx clinical team.