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An Introduction to Peptide Therapy: Most Common Questions

From helping you to build more lean muscle mass to assisting you maintain stable hormone levels, the benefits of peptide therapy are clear. Even though peptide therapy has grown increasingly common in the United States, most peptide treatments are still a relatively new idea, and one a lot of people don’t know much about. Therefore, the majority of people do have questions about peptide therapy.

What are peptides?

In general, peptides are amino acid chains that can directly affect signals sent between cells in your body. These amino acid strings typically contain anywhere between 2 and 50 individual amino acids and they are a substantially smaller form of regular proteins. Each peptide has its own function in the body; some may perform in much the same way as neurotransmitters, some act as hormones, and some can have direct interaction on the body response to an activity or what you eat. Since peptides are smaller than proteins, the body can more readily process them, so they can bring along a host of benefits. Peptides can be derived from either animal protein sources or plant protein sources.

man and woman working out on beach

How many different peptides are there?

Currently, there are at least 100 peptides in use in the medical field across the United States, Japan, and parts of Europe, according to the FDA. Some polypeptides, which are peptides with a more substantial gathering of amino acids, are also in use. Some of the most common peptides and polypeptides used to perform various types of treatment include:

  • CJC 1295 – Used medically for the treatment of certain diseases and a few muscle disorders, but also used to help improve strength, support weight loss, and encourage gains in lean muscle mass
  • IGF-1 LR3 – Encourages the growth of new muscles and cells through a cellular process referred to as hyperplasia
  • Sermorelin – Helps the body produce its own growth hormones and medically used to encourage growth hormone production in children with certain conditions
  • Ipamorelin – A human growth hormone peptide that helps improve energy levels, could help decrease body fat, faster workout recovery and more
  • BPC 157 – Often used in conjunction with other treatments to support tendon or bone injury recovery and is popular among athletes

Is peptide therapy considered safe?

Most forms of peptide therapy are considered to be generally safe. With the FDA clearing many peptides so they can be used for medical purposes and tested in clinical trial settings, more information is always coming to light about peptide therapy, the advantages, and any proposed side effects. The primary thing all prospective patients need to do to ensure they have a good experience with peptides is to make sure they get their treatments from a reliable practitioner such as 5thand Wellness. Peptides can be natural or synthetic; while well-designed synthetic peptides are safe, you do have to watch out for low-quality versions provided by non-reputable sellers. Some of the minimal side effects some people may experience include:

  • Increased hunger or thirst
  • Dry mouth
  • Itching at the injection site
  • Some drowsiness

What is peptide therapy like?

Peptide therapy is usually going to involve injections of the peptides into the skin where the peptides can get into the bloodstream faster without having to be broken down by other bodily systems. However, some peptides are available in oral capsule form, in topical lotions or creams, and even as a nasal spray. Most individuals looking for more reliable results do opt for peptide therapy via injections, which may be given on a set schedule as determined by the treatment provider.

How quickly do you see results?

Peptide therapy should never be looked at as an instant cure-all for whatever issue you are dealing with. Instead, the therapy is a supportive type of treatment that can aid your progress with certain issues. You may not see an immediate difference in how you feel with all types of peptide therapy; some peptides can actually take several weeks or a few months to really start producing noticeable effects. Nevertheless, some patients may notice things like changes in energy levels or workout rebound almost immediately.

Find Out if Peptide Therapy Could Work for You

With so many medical professionals now looking at peptide therapy as a viable for of treatment for many ailments, it is well worth it to get familiar with peptide therapy for yourself. If you are looking for help with losing weight, gaining more muscle mass, or even having more energy, talk to our professionals about peptide therapy and if it is right for you. Reach out to us at 5th and Well (561) 409-3128 to learn more about peptides.