Peptide Evidence Grid

What the evidence grades mean

Each peptide gets one grade for the human evidence behind its main studied uses, assigned under the Inside Peptides Evidence Scale (IPES) version 1.0. The grade describes the research, not whether a peptide is a good idea for anyone. Each grade below links to its fixed definition.

Strong Evidence 20 peptides

Substantial, high-quality human evidence supports a clearly defined conclusion for the specified outcome and population. Typical evidence: Well-conducted, appropriately powered human studies with independent confirmation, or a rigorous synthesis of directly relevant studies.

Moderate Evidence 12 peptides

Meaningful human evidence supports a conclusion, but an important uncertainty remains. Typical evidence: Relevant controlled human research with incomplete replication, limited precision or a material design or applicability concern.

Early Human Evidence 17 peptides

Research in people addresses the claim, but it cannot yet support a dependable clinical conclusion. Typical evidence: Pilot studies, small uncontrolled studies, preliminary clinical trials or limited human outcome data.

Preclinical Evidence 6 peptides

Relevant findings come from animal, cell, laboratory or other nonclinical models, without adequate human evidence for the claim. Typical evidence: Animal experiments, cell cultures, tissue models and experimentally tested mechanisms.

Insufficient Evidence 1 peptide

Reliable, relevant evidence is too limited or too compromised to draw a meaningful conclusion about the claim. Typical evidence: No usable completed studies; theoretical arguments; anecdotes; or research with flaws that prevent a defensible conclusion.

What the U.S. status labels mean

Approved Medicine 20 peptides

A specified medicine has authorisation from a named regulator for a stated use. Record jurisdiction, product, formulation and indication; an ingredient name alone is not enough.

Investigational 12 peptides

A documented clinical research programme is studying the compound or use. Cite the study and its current status; this does not mean an approved treatment.

Unapproved 24 peptides

No relevant medicine authorisation is documented for the specified jurisdiction and use. State the scope and verification date; approval elsewhere may differ.

Status here is U.S. status only. Several peptides marked unapproved were FDA-approved in the past, or are approved in other countries; each profile explains the history. Products sold online as "research peptides" are not approved medicines, even when they share a name with one. See approved vs unapproved peptides.

Patterns worth knowing

• Weak evidence and no approval go together. All seven peptides graded preclinical or insufficient are not FDA approved, and no unapproved peptide has a strong grade.
• Approval can rest on smaller trials. Setmelanotide, Afamelanotide and Elamipretide are approved medicines with a moderate grade, mostly for rare conditions where large trials are not possible.
• Trial activity is concentrated. Semaglutide (234), Tirzepatide (136) and Oxytocin (62) have the most active trials. Eighteen of the peptides we track have none.
• Sport rules are broad. Eighteen peptides fall under a WADA Prohibited List section. Unapproved substances can be covered by section S0 even when they are not named; see WADA peptide rules.

The full analysis, with methodology, is in the State of Peptide Research 2026 report.