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April 1, 2024 • 1hr 26min
Benefits & Risks of Peptide Therapeutics for Physical & Mental Health
Huberman Lab
In this episode, Dr. Andrew Huberman discusses the science and application of therapeutic peptides. Peptides are an emerging area of interest for augmenting physical and mental health, accelerating recovery from injury, and more. However, there is also a lot of confusion around peptides in terms of their nomenclature, effects, dosing, and safety.
Benefits & Risks of Peptide Therapeutics for Physical & Mental Health
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Key Takeaways
- Peptides are small proteins made up of chains of 2-50 amino acids that have pleiotropic effects, meaning they impact many different aspects of cells and tissues
- The safest way to obtain therapeutic peptides is by prescription from a board-certified physician, sourced from a reliable compounding pharmacy or pharmaceutical company that has removed potentially harmful lipopolysaccharides (LPS)
- Key categories of therapeutic peptides include:
- Peptides for tissue rejuvenation and repair (e.g. BPC-157, TB-500)
- Peptides that stimulate growth hormone release for metabolism and growth (e.g. Sermorelin, Tesamorelin, Ipamorelin)
- Peptides for longevity (e.g. Epitalon)
- Peptides for vitality, mood and libido (e.g. Melanotan, PT-141, Kisspeptin)
- Potential benefits of therapeutic peptides include accelerated injury healing, increased muscle growth, fat loss, improved sleep, anti-aging effects, and enhanced mood/libido
- Risks of therapeutic peptides include potential tumor/cancer growth, elevated prolactin, increased hunger/anxiety, receptor desensitization, and unknown long-term effects due to lack of human clinical trials
- More research is needed on the safety and efficacy of therapeutic peptides in humans; most current knowledge is based on animal studies and anecdotal reports
Introduction
In this episode, Dr. Andrew Huberman discusses the science and application of therapeutic peptides. Peptides are an emerging area of interest for augmenting physical and mental health, accelerating recovery from injury, and more. However, there is also a lot of confusion around peptides in terms of their nomenclature, effects, dosing, and safety.
Dr. Huberman provides an organizational framework for understanding the key categories of therapeutic peptides, their mechanisms of action, potential benefits, and risks to consider. He emphasizes the importance of working with a qualified physician and using reliably sourced peptides if one chooses to explore this route.
Topics Discussed
Defining Peptides (0:00)
- Peptides are small proteins made up of chains of 2-50 amino acids
- Peptides have pleiotropic effects, meaning they impact many different aspects of cells and organ systems
- Some peptides are hormones, others are neuromodulators or have multiple functions
- Combining peptides creates polypeptides
Safety Considerations for Therapeutic Peptides (14:02)
- Peptides for therapeutic use should be obtained by prescription from a board-certified physician
- Quality peptides are sourced from pharmaceutical companies or compounding pharmacies that have removed lipopolysaccharides (LPS) which can cause immune reactions
- "If you are going to explore peptide therapeutics, I highly, highly recommend, indeed I implore you to do so with a board-certified physician and to acquire peptides through a reliable source where the LPS has been removed." - Dr. Andrew Huberman
Peptides for Tissue Rejuvenation & Repair (16:02)
- BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157)
- Synthetic peptide that mimics a naturally-occurring peptide in the gut involved in wound healing
- Promotes angiogenesis (blood vessel growth), fibroblast migration, and extracellular matrix at injury sites
- Increases growth hormone receptors locally
- Mainly studied in animals; very limited human data despite widespread use
- Typical dose: 300-500 mcg injected subcutaneously 2-3x/week for 8 weeks, then cycle off
- Potential tumor growth risk due to increased angiogenesis
- Thymosin Beta-4 (TB-500)
- Naturally secreted by the thymus; synthetic version promotes similar effects
- Encourages proliferation of stem cells, fibroblasts, keratinocytes to accelerate healing
- Acts systemically rather than being tissue-specific like BPC-157
Peptides for Metabolism & Growth (42:00)
- Growth hormone declines ~15% per decade after age 30, leading to changes in metabolism, muscle/fat, vitality
- Peptides can stimulate endogenous growth hormone and downstream IGF-1 production via different pathways
- Two categories: Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) Peptides & Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRPs)
- GHRH Peptides ("Category 1")
- Sermorelin: Mimics naturally-occurring GHRH, increases GH/IGF-1; FDA-approved for short stature in children
- Tesamorelin: Similar to Sermorelin with longer half-life; FDA-approved for HIV-related visceral fat accumulation
- CJC-1295: Longer-acting but potential safety concerns (trial death, receptor desensitization risk)
- Typical dosing: 200-400 mcg injected subcutaneously before bed, 3-5x/week, cycled
- GHRPs ("Category 2")
- Increase growth hormone by mimicking ghrelin & suppressing somatostatin
- Ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, MK-677
- Can significantly increase GH but also cortisol, prolactin, hunger
- Hexarelin is very potent but can desensitize receptors
- Risks of GH-stimulating peptides: potential tumor/cancer growth, organ enlargement, edema, carpal tunnel, insulin resistance
Peptides for Longevity (1:08:09)
- Epitalon
- Synthetic peptide that mimics epithalamin released by the pineal gland
- Animal studies suggest anti-inflammatory, telomere-lengthening, circadian-regulating effects
- Pineal gland activity (melatonin & epithalamin production) declines with age
- Lack of human studies for lifespan effects despite mechanistic potential
Peptides for Vitality, Mood & Libido (1:14:09)
- Melanotan peptides (I, II, PT-141)
- Mimic melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) to increase tanning & cross blood-brain barrier for libido/mood effects
- PT-141 is FDA-approved as Vylessi for hypoactive sexual desire in premenopausal women
- Caution with mole changes/melanoma
- Kisspeptin
- Stimulates GnRH -> LH/FSH -> testosterone/estrogen pathway
- Involved in puberty onset, menstrual cycle regulation
- Investigational for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, hypothalamic amenorrhea, IVF
- Antagonists explored for menopausal hot flashes
Conclusion
Peptide therapeutics are an exciting frontier for potentially enhancing physical and mental health. However, much more research is needed to establish the long-term safety and efficacy, especially in humans.
If exploring therapeutic peptides, it is essential to work closely with a knowledgeable physician, use reliable sourcing, monitor blood work, and start with conservative dosing. While not risk-free, peptides hold promise for accelerating injury recovery, building muscle, burning fat, improving sleep, and boosting vitality when used judiciously.
This episode provides a framework for the key categories and considerations around therapeutic peptides. Future discussions with expert guests will dive deeper into the nuances and latest science of these fascinating compounds.
