Benefits & Risks of Peptide Therapeutics for Physical & Mental Health

Peptides (00:00:00)

• Peptides are receiving a lot of attention, especially GLP-1 analogs for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• Today's discussion will focus on peptides for tissue healing, repair, longevity, and vitality.
• Peptides are diverse, including insulin and oxytocin.
• There are tens of thousands of peptides in the brain and body.
• Therapeutic peptides can be confusing due to acronyms and numbers.
• A simple organizational framework will be provided to understand therapeutic peptides.
• Peptides can be prescribed by physicians (FDA-approved), purchased online (safety and efficacy questionable), or obtained through the black market (not recommended).
• FDA-approved peptides:
  • Prescribed by physicians for specific purposes.
  • Safety and efficacy are well-established.
• Gray market peptides:
  • Can be purchased online.
  • Safety and efficacy may be questionable.
• Black market peptides:
  • Purchased through various online sources.
  • Not recommended due to potential contamination and long-term risks.

Sponsors: Mateína, Levels & Joovv (00:03:20)

• Podcast is separate from teaching and research roles at Stanford.
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• Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as signaling molecules in the body.
• Peptide therapeutics involve using peptides to treat or prevent diseases.
• Peptide therapeutics have shown promise in treating various conditions, including:
  • Growth hormone deficiency
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Pain
  • Skin conditions
  • Neurodegenerative diseases
• Peptide therapeutics are generally well-tolerated, with few side effects.
• However, some potential risks of peptide therapeutics include:
  • Allergic reactions
  • Injection site reactions
  • Potential for drug interactions
  • Potential for long-term side effects (still being studied)
• Peptide therapeutics are a promising new area of medicine, but more research is needed to fully understand their risks and benefits.

What is a Peptide?, Effects (00:07:44)

• Peptides are small proteins made up of chains of amino acids.
• Peptides can be hormones, neuromodulators, or proteins.
• Peptides often have pleotropic effects, meaning they affect many different aspects of cells.
• Peptides can have different effects depending on the cell type, time of day, and downstream effects.
• Peptide therapeutics can have multiple effects, both positive and negative.
• Peptide therapeutics can help with a variety of conditions, including:
  • Pain management
  • Muscle growth
  • Fat loss
  • Skin health
  • Hair growth
  • Cognitive function
  • Mood disorders
• Peptides can be used to treat a variety of conditions because they can target specific cells and tissues.
• Peptides can be more effective than traditional drugs because they are more targeted and have fewer side effects.
• Peptide therapeutics can have a number of side effects, including:
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Skin rashes
• Peptide therapeutics can also interact with other medications, so it is important to talk to your doctor before starting peptide therapy.
• Peptide therapeutics should not be used by people with certain medical conditions, such as:
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Cancer
• Peptide therapeutics should be used under the supervision of a doctor.

Peptide Sourcing, Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (00:12:06)

• Peptides can be obtained through prescription from a board-certified medical doctor, from a compounding pharmacy, or from the gray market/black market.
• Prescription peptides are the safest and best option as they are cleaned of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which can cause an immune response.
• Gray market and black market peptides often contain LPS and may not be what they claim to be on the label.
• It is highly recommended to acquire peptides through a reliable source where the LPS has been removed, such as from a pharmaceutical company or a compounding pharmacy.

Rejuvenation & Tissue Repair: BPC-157, Angiogenesis (00:14:48)

• Peptides have potential therapeutic uses in tissue rejuvenation and repair, metabolism and growth, longevity, and vitality (mood and libido).
• Peptides can aid in healing and repairing various tissues, including muscles, connective tissues, and the gut.
• Therapeutic peptides can influence metabolism and growth, not just for fat loss and muscle growth but also for improving the metabolism and growth of other tissues.
• Peptides have shown promise in promoting longevity by potentially preventing tumor growth and increasing lifespan, although this area is still experimental.
• Therapeutic peptides can enhance vitality by improving mood and libido in both men and women.
• BPC-157 increases blood flow to an injured area by promoting angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels.
• BPC-157 recognizes injured blood vessels and capillaries and promotes the activity of an enzyme called Enos, which causes more blood vasculature to form at and around the injury site.
• The increased blood flow allows for the delivery of growth factors that promote the rejuvenation of different cell types in the injured area, leading to the repair of muscle, ligament, and tendon tissue.

BPC-157 & Tissue Injury; Mode of Delivery (00:21:50)

• BPC 157, a peptide found in gastric juices, promotes tissue healing and repair.
• Its mechanism of action involves stimulating fibroblast migration and growth.
• While formal human studies are lacking, anecdotal evidence suggests its effectiveness in treating various injuries and conditions.
• BPC 157 is commonly administered via subcutaneous or intramuscular injections, sometimes directly into the injury site.
• Optimal dosage and treatment duration require further research, as does its safety and efficacy.
• Animal studies suggest that the delivery method (systemic or local) does not significantly affect BPC 157's effectiveness.
• While some believe local injections enhance tissue recovery more than systemic ones, substantial evidence is lacking.

BPC-157: Safety, Doses, Cycling, Tumor Risk (00:27:53)

• BPC 157 promotes tissue repair by increasing fibroblast migration, endothelial cell growth, and angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels).
• BPC 157 has a high safety profile with an extremely high lethal dose (LD50).
• Typical therapeutic doses range from 300 to 500 micrograms subcutaneously, two to three times per week for eight weeks, followed by an 8 to 10-week break.
• BPC 157 upregulates growth hormone receptors, potentially aiding tissue turnover and repair.
• Caution is advised for individuals with tumors, as BPC 157 may increase growth hormone receptors and blood flow, potentially promoting tumor growth.
• There is a lack of human data on BPC 157, and concerns exist regarding tumor growth and cancer development due to its angiogenic effects.
• BPC 157 should be used cautiously at the minimal effective dose, and individuals should monitor their health for any signs of cancer or tumor growth.
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• Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as messengers in the body.
• Peptide therapeutics use peptides to treat or prevent diseases.
• Peptide therapeutics have shown promise in treating a wide range of conditions, including:
  • Pain
  • Inflammation
  • Neurodegenerative diseases
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
• Peptide therapeutics are generally well-tolerated, with few side effects.
• However, peptide therapeutics can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance.
• Peptide therapeutics are a promising new treatment option for a variety of conditions, but more research is needed to determine their long-term safety and efficacy.

Tissue Repair: Thymosin Beta-4, TB-500 (00:36:43)

• Thymosin beta-4 (TB-4) and TB-500 are peptides involved in tissue rejuvenation and repair.
• TB-4 is naturally produced by the thymus in children but decreases with age.
• Children recover from injuries more quickly and have better tissue regrowth and wound repair compared to adults.
• TB-4 and TB-500 promote tissue rejuvenation and repair in animal studies.
• People report positive effects when taking TB-4 or TB-500 for tissue rejuvenation and repair, but clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy in humans.
• TB-4 promotes the growth and infiltration of various cell types associated with tissue rejuvenation and wound healing.
• TB-4 increases stem cell proliferation and the growth of the extracellular matrix, providing rigidity to tissues.
• TB-500 is not growth-promoting and does not impact growth hormone pathways or tissue growth.
• TB-4 and TB-500 are often used together for tissue rejuvenation and repair.
• BPC 157 promotes angiogenesis and wound repair by adding new vasculature to the wound site.
• TB-4 and TB-500 are anecdotally reported to enhance tissue rejuvenation and repair, especially when used in combination with BPC 157.

Growth & Metabolism: Growth Hormone, IGF-1, Risks (00:40:49)

• Growth hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, promotes metabolism, fat loss, muscle growth, tissue repair, mood, and energy levels.
• IGF-1, produced by the liver in response to growth hormone, has similar effects on the body.
• Synthetic growth hormone can be taken as a prescription injection to increase tissue growth but can stimulate tumor growth and is subject to negative feedback.
• Peptide therapeutics offer potential benefits for physical and mental health, including muscle building, fat loss, improved sleep, enhanced mood, increased energy levels, and treatment of various medical conditions.
• Peptide therapeutics can have side effects and may be expensive and not covered by insurance, so they should be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.

Secretagogues, Sermorelin, Tesamorelin, CJC-1295 (00:45:25)

• Peptide therapeutics, such as CJC-1295 (Celin) and tesamorelin (Egrifta), stimulate the release of growth hormone and IGF-1, mimicking the hypothalamus's natural function.
• CJC-1295 is a long-lasting variant of a growth hormone-secreting peptide, taken once or twice per week, that increases circulating growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, leading to benefits such as vitality, muscle growth, fat loss, and deeper sleep.
• Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved drug that reduces visceral adiposity in HIV patients and produces similar effects to CJC-1295 but lasts longer and is taken three times per week.
• Both CJC-1295 and tesamorelin have potential drawbacks, including desensitization, disruption of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and fluid retention.
• CJC-1295 is still in clinical trials and has safety concerns, while tesamorelin and sermorelin have both animal and human data supporting their use.
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• A free sample pack of LMNT is available at drinklmnt.com/huberman.
• Peptide therapeutics involve using small chains of amino acids to influence various physiological processes.
• Peptides can be used to target specific receptors or modulate hormone levels.
• Peptide therapeutics have shown promise in treating conditions like obesity, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.
• However, peptides can also have side effects and may interact with other medications.
• Peptide therapeutics should be used with caution and under medical supervision.
• More research is needed to fully understand the benefits and risks of peptide therapeutics.

Ipamorelin, Hexarelin, GHRP-3, MK-677; Risks & Timing (00:53:44)

• Peptides that stimulate growth hormone release can be categorized into two types: Type 1 and Type 2.
• Type 1 peptides directly stimulate growth hormone release and include Sermorelin, Tesamorelin, and CJC-1295.
• Type 2 peptides encourage growth hormone release by mimicking or stimulating the release of Ghrelin and include Ipamorelin and Hexarelin.
• Growth hormone peptides are typically taken before bed, at least an hour and a half after eating, and avoiding food for at least 30 minutes afterward.
• Combining different peptides can have benefits, but it's crucial to work with a knowledgeable physician who understands how these peptides work alone and in combination.
• Peptide therapeutics can have both benefits and risks for physical and mental health.
• Risks of taking growth hormone or growth hormone-promoting peptides include increased tumor growth risk, carpal tunnel syndrome, changes in body structure and shape, and unnatural skin texture.
• Growth hormone secretagogues like Sermorelin and Tesamorelin are FDA-approved but not for all purposes people use them for, such as cosmetic effects.
• Considerations before taking growth hormone-promoting peptides include age (younger than 30 is not recommended unless there's a clinical need), checking for tumors or cancers that could be exacerbated, using the minimal effective dose to avoid receptor pathway desensitization, and using only when absolutely necessary and there's a potential benefit.

Longevity: Thymosin Beta-4, Epitalon (Epithalon) (01:06:12)

• Peptides like thymus and beta 4, released from the thymus, aid in tissue repair and recovery, contributing to longevity.
• Epitalon, a peptide secreted by the pineal gland, has potential longevity-enhancing effects.
• Epitalon mimics the natural peptide epithalamion, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can influence telomere length.
• Melatonin and epithalamion, released during sleep, are crucial for brain and body restoration, but their levels decline with age, leading to increased inflammation and reduced tissue healing.
• Peptide therapeutics mimic natural compounds in the body, but more clinical trials are needed to directly support the use of specific peptides like epitalon for life extension.

Vitality: Melanotan, PT-141 (Vyleesi), Risks (01:12:09)

• Melanotan peptides (MT-1, MT-2, MT-3, MT-4, MT-5) mimic melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) and interact with melanocortin receptors, influencing pigmentation, mood, libido, and breeding behavior.
• Melanotan-1 primarily affects skin pigmentation, while Melanotan-2, Melanotan-3, Melanotan-4, and Melanotan-5 can cross the blood-brain barrier and influence mood, libido, and appetite.
• PT-141 (bremelanotide), also known as Vyleesi, is an FDA-approved prescription drug for treating premenopausal female hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
• Off-label use of PT-141 by men for hypoactive sexual desire is common but can cause increased skin pigmentation.
• Peptide therapeutics can have both benefits and risks for physical and mental health, including improved sleep, reduced inflammation, increased energy, enhanced cognitive function, nausea, skin flushing, increased blood pressure, and potential exacerbation of melanoma.
• Individuals with melanoma should exercise caution when using peptides that stimulate melanocytes.

Vitality: Kisspeptin (01:17:21)

• Kisspeptin is a peptide naturally made in the brain that activates the pituitary for hormone production and reproduction.
• Kisspeptin stimulates the release of GnRH, which in turn stimulates the release of LH and FSH.
• LH and FSH stimulate the gonads to produce testosterone and estrogen.
• Kisspeptin is involved in the activation of puberty and the downstream effects of elevated LH and FSH, including increased vitality and libido.
• Synthetic kisspeptin is prescribed for hypothalamic amenorrhea, the loss of menstrual cycles due to deficits in the hypothalamus.
• Kisspeptin antagonists are used to treat some symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats and vasomotor symptoms.
• The use of kisspeptin to increase vitality and libido is still experimental, and its long-term effects are not yet fully known.

Peptides, Potential Benefits, Side-Effects & Risks (01:21:46)

• Peptides have pleotropic effects, meaning they have multiple and sometimes overlapping and synergistic effects.
• Peptides are very potent compounds with lots of different effects.
• Peptide therapeutics are in the early stages of exploration, and more research is needed to fully understand their risks and benefits.
• Peptides are not without their potential risks, including tumor growth.
• It's important to work with a board-certified physician, ensure clean sourcing, and monitor for potential side effects when using peptide therapeutics.

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• Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can have various effects on the body.
• Peptide therapeutics involve using peptides to treat or prevent diseases.
• Peptides can be used to target specific receptors or proteins in the body.
• Peptide therapeutics have shown promise in treating various conditions, including:
  • Growth hormone deficiency
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Pain
  • Inflammation
  • Neurodegenerative diseases
  • Skin conditions
• Peptide therapeutics are generally well-tolerated, but potential side effects include:
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Injection site reactions
• Peptide therapeutics can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance.
• It's important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting peptide therapy to assess individual risks and benefits.