Peptides

Contents of this longer article:

Peptides as a “Game Changer” in Medicine

• Dr. Adel Rayess’s Note,
• Legal Situation,
• Studies on Interstitial Cystitis or Eye Injury,
• Alcohol-Related Intestinal Damage or
• Leaky Gut or
• Liver Cirrhosis
• Semax in Stroke
• Bone Injuries
• @HealthyAlfred
• Neurotropic Peptides – AI-Research of Pubmed
• Superstars from the USA are all using it

All with links to the original studies or tweets, as well as the corresponding YouTube interviews

Adel tells me about “miracles” in his practice

My colleague from Lebanon, Dr. Adel Rayess, made me aware of peptides (especially BPC-157 and TB-500).

Dr. Rayess uses the peptides with great success and calls them a game-changer in his practice.

As an osteopathic physician and inventor of NeuroSPINE, he treats many very serious patients who have often been ill for many years and undergone multiple prior treatments (see the video testimonials).

His personal statements are:

“In cases of severe injuries, even those with long-standing recurrences, including severe herniated discs—just two applications three weeks apart were a game-changer.”

This evidence, significance, and relevance resonates with me!

Peptides banned as doping agents in sports due to their extreme healing support

Legal status of peptides in medical practice

The use of peptides such as BPC-157 and TB-500 in medical practice is clearly restricted by law and is currently not permitted.

Studies

What I find particularly impressive, however, are the various tweets I regularly receive about peptides, which showcase both human and animal studies with their enormous healing-enhancing data.

Interstitial cystitis is torture!!!!!

Many women simply have their bladder surgically removed. I’ve discovered that this is MCAS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) and that it can be treated quite effectively with appropriate treatments and a histamine-free diet.

With a short course of BPC-157, the symptoms disappeared within two weeks in 80% of patients, and in the remaining 20%, the symptoms improved by 80%!

Leaky Gut – My Own Experience from My Practice

A patient told me that he obtained capsules containing BPC-157 (illegally) and cured his years-long leaky gut with inflammatory bowel disease within two weeks. This isn’t a study, not real evidence, but at least it’s interesting—it was told by a real patient in my own practice. It’s an “anecdotal observation”—it has no official relevance.

Leaky Gut – My Own Experience from My Practice

A patient told me that he obtained capsules containing BPC-157 (illegally) and cured his years-long leaky gut with inflammatory bowel disease within two weeks.

BPC-157 and Alcohol – Repairs Stomach/Intestines – Reverses Alcohol-Induced Liver Damage (Rat Model)

Rats were subjected to chronic alcohol abuse, resulting in liver cirrhosis and damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa. These conditions were completely healed and reversed with BPC-157.

Impressive study results in rat eye injuries

The eyes of rats were perforated with a needle, and all rats went blind. However, the eyes of the rats that were given the “Wolferine” peptide BPC-157 regenerated.
…

Long-lasting bone lesion promptly eliminated by BPC-157

An 8mm hole is drilled into the bone of a live test rabbit; after 8 weeks, it is still present. Administration of BPC-157 leads to prompt healing.

Semax peptide can dramatically improve strokes when administered acutely.

@HealthyAlfred – regularly posts peptide tweets

I would subscribe to him to stay informed about old and new studies on various peptides.

https://x.com/HealthyAlfred

AI Research on Neuro-Regenerative Peptides

Current pharmacological paradigms for Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are largely palliative or immunomodulatory, failing to address the underlying neuronal attrition or demyelination effectively. The “holy grail” of neurodegeneration research is the development of neurotropic (supporting survival) and neuroregenerative (inducing regrowth) peptides that can bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and mimic the activity of large neurotrophins like Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).

Below is a rigorous screening of peptides with neuroregenerative potential, focused on their activity in BDNF pathways and their relevance to PD and MS.

1. BDNF Mimetics and Small Peptides

BDNF is the primary driver of neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity, but its therapeutic use is crippled by a 1-minute plasma half-life and its inability to cross the BBB (PLOS One, 2013). Small peptides that mimic the active loops of BDNF are the current frontier.

• Peptides B-3 and B-5: These are synthetic tetra-peptides derived from the active regions of human BDNF.
  • Activity: They act as partial agonists for the TrkB receptor (the primary receptor for BDNF). Peptide B-5 has been shown to induce a positive feedback loop, increasing the expression of endogenous BDNF and TrkB (PLOS One, 2013).
  • Relevance: Primarily investigated for hippocampal survival, but the TrkB pathway is the central target for protecting dopaminergic neurons in PD.
• 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF): While technically a flavonoid, it is often grouped with BDNF-mimetic research. It is a potent, BBB-permeable TrkB agonist that has shown neuroprotective effects in 6-OHDA-induced PD models.

2. Multi-Target Neurotropic Peptides

These peptides are often “cocktails” or derived from naturally occurring neuroprotective proteins.

• Cerebrolysin: A porcine-derived peptide mixture that mimics the action of multiple neurotrophic factors (GDNF, BDNF, CNTF, and IGF-1).
  • Activity: It reduces oxidative stress, inhibits neuroinflammation, and promotes progenitor cell migration and neurogenesis (PMC10185619).
  • PD/MS Context: Clinical trials and animal models (reserpine and 6-OHDA) show it can restore dopamine levels and improve motor deficits (PMC10185619). It is currently one of the few peptide-based drugs used clinically in some jurisdictions for stroke and neurodegeneration (PubMed 26564102).
• Semax (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro): A synthetic analog of ACTH(4-7) combined with a Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide to increase stability.
  • Activity: It significantly increases the expression of BDNF and its receptor TrkB in the brain. It also modulates the expression of genes related to the immune response and vascular growth (PMC12755871).
  • PD/MS Context: Historically used for stroke recovery, recent research focuses on its ability to reverse cognitive decline and protect against amyloid-induced neurotoxicity (PMC12755871).

3. Peptides Targeting PD-Specific Pathways

• HER-096 (C-CDNF Fragment): This is a small, BBB-permeable fragment of Cerebral Dopamine Neurotrophic Factor (CDNF).
  • Activity: Unlike GDNF, which primarily supports cell survival, CDNF/HER-096 acts on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response to prevent protein misfolding (e.g., alpha-synuclein).
  • PD Context: It is currently in Phase 1b clinical trials (as of late 2025/early 2026). Topline results indicate it is safe, tolerable, and reaches the brain in humans (Cure Parkinson’s).
• GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (e.g., Exenatide, Semaglutide): While traditionally diabetes drugs, these are peptides that cross the BBB.
  • Activity: They activate GLP-1 receptors in the brain, which triggers downstream neuroprotective pathways similar to BDNF, including the PI3K/Akt pathway.
  • PD Context: Multiple clinical trials show GLP-1 agonists can restore dopamine levels and inhibit dopaminergic loss (PMC11011817).

4. Peptides Targeting MS and Demyelination

• NAP (Davunetide / NAPVSIPQ): An 8-amino acid peptide derived from Activity-Dependent Neuroprotective Protein (ADNP).
  • Activity: It stabilizes microtubules by interacting with tubulin, which is critical for axonal transport. It also activates the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways (Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2011).
  • MS Context: Its ability to protect the “white matter” and reduce neuronal apoptosis makes it a candidate for both MS and tauopathies (Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2011).
• CNTF Mimetics: Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor is a potent survival factor for oligodendrocytes (the cells that make myelin).
  • Activity: Small molecule or peptide mimetics of CNTF are being explored to induce remyelination in MS by promoting the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (PMC6425072).

Summary Table of Peptides

Reference Links for Further Reading

1. Cerebrolysin in PD Model (2023): PMC10185619
2. BDNF Peptides and TrkB Activation: PLOS One Article
3. Semax and Neuroprotection (2026): PMC12755871
4. NAP (Davunetide) Review: Current Pharmaceutical Design
5. Neuroregeneration in Parkinson’s (Review): PMC6425072
6. GLP-1 Agonists in PD: PMC11011817

Confidence Level: High for mechanistic data; Moderate for clinical efficacy (as many are still in trial phases).

Superstars from the USA all use these peptides

Although it’s just as legally precarious in the USA, it seems easier to obtain peptides there.

Anti-Aging Star Dr. Andrew Huberman from the USA

This YouTube video from the Huberman Lab Podcast discusses the use of peptides and hormone therapies to improve health, performance, and longevity. Andrew Huberman speaks with Dr. Craig Koniver, an expert in performance medicine.

Anti-Aging Star Dr. Andrew Huberman from the USA

This YouTube video from the Huberman Lab Podcast discusses the use of peptides and hormone therapies to improve health, performance, and longevity. Here is a very brief summary of the main points:

• What are peptides?: They are short chains of amino acids (small proteins) that trigger specific signals in the body [00:42].
• GLP-1 (e.g., Ozempic/Mounjaro): Its use for weight loss is being discussed, with experts recommending microdosing (smaller doses) to minimize side effects such as muscle loss [11:07].
• Healing and inflammation:
  • BPC-157: A well-known active ingredient for accelerating the healing of tendons, joints, and inflammation [19:46].
  • PDA (Pentadeca Arginate): Mentioned as a modern alternative to BPC-157 [43:28].
• Growth Hormones & Sleep: Certain peptides such as Ipamorelin or Tesamorelin can stimulate the body’s own release of growth hormones, which can promote fat loss and better sleep [55:33].Sleep Optimization: The peptide Pinealone is described as very effective in significantly increasing REM sleep [1:28:01].NAD Therapy: High-dose NAD infusions or injections are considered a “game changer” for energy, focus, and Mitochondrial health highlighted [01:53:26].
• Safety & Quality: Dr. Koniver strongly emphasizes that peptides should only be obtained through qualified physicians and compounding pharmacies.obtain them, as products from the black market are often contaminated [34:24].

The following video is from an interview with Andrew Huberman, in which he discusses various topics related to biohacking, health, and current trends. Here are the main points:

Peptides and Health

Peptides in general: Huberman explains that peptides are short chains of amino acids (e.g., insulin). He warns against obtaining peptides from the gray market (“Research Purposes Only”), as these can often contain impurities like LPS, which can trigger inflammation [10:43].

• BPC-157: This peptide is often used for wound healing, although there is a lack of solid human data. It is said to have a systemic effect and promote tissue regeneration [11:41].
• Pinealon: A peptide that Huberman himself has tried. It doubled his REM sleep time to almost three hours per night [12:35].
• Retatrutide: He calls this peptide a “trillion-dollar drug”. It is a triple agonist (similar to Ozempic, but stronger) that led to weight loss of up to one-third of body weight in clinical trials [14:16].

Pharmacology and Sports

• • • Tadalafil (Cialis): Huberman reports on the recommendation that men over 40 could consider a low daily dose (2.5 to 5 mg) to improve blood flow (brain, prostate) and lower blood pressure [06:30].
    • Performance Enhancement: He mentions that athletes often Using vasodilators or heart rate-lowering substances (in shooting sports) to increase composure and precision [08:05].

Lifestyle and Diet

• • • Yerba Mate: Huberman is a co-owner of the brand Mateina. He drinks yerba mate for its steady caffeine release and antioxidant effects [00:21]. Studies suggest that caffeine can reduce the risk of dementia, but it should be used with caution in cases of anxiety [04:41].
    • Cannabis: He is critical of the high THC content of modern products. He states that young people with a genetic predisposition are at particularly high risk for psychosis. Furthermore, cannabis suppresses the important REM sleep [24:18].

Technology and Productivity

• • • Social Media: He recommends limiting usage to a maximum of 45 to 90 minutes per day. His personal “hack” is a physical lockbox for his smartphone, in which it sits for 20+ hours a day [31:18].
    • AI (Artificial Intelligence): Huberman uses AI (specifically Claude) to test himself and consolidate knowledge (actively retrieving information) [35:21].

Personal

• • • He lives in a converted art gallery and has an “analog room” in the basement without electronics, where he draws and prepares for podcasts [38:23].

Dave Aspray – AntiAging – Biohacker – Star from USA

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dave+asprey+peptides

Gary Brecka – Anti-Aging / Best-Aging Star from the USA

In this video, Gary Brecka interviews six-time Mr. Olympia (Classic Physique) Chris Bumstead (Cbum). The conversation revolves around Cbum’s peptide stack, his supplementation, recovery protocols, and his mental strategies.

Here is a summary of the key points:

1. Peptide Stack & Tissue Healing

Chris Bumstead primarily uses peptides for injury recovery and to regulate his autoimmune kidney disease:

BPC-157 & TB-500: These are referred toGary Brecka calls it “a multivitamin for bodybuilders.” He uses it to heal tendon and joint injuries (e.g., his latissimus dorsi tear) [52:52].

• Thymosin Alpha-1: He uses this peptide for immune modulation to control inflammatory responses to his autoimmune disease [55:42].
• GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide): Discussed as a supplement for collagen production and skin/hair health [01:01:47].
• Growth hormone peptides (CJC-1295, Ipamorelin): Brecka explains that these stimulate the body’s own production without closing the negative feedback loop, as synthetic HGH would [01:05:04].

2. Supplementation & Nutrition

Contrary to many expectations, Cbum uses a rather simple supplement regimen based on the basics:

Basics: Whey protein, creatine (5-10g daily), multivitamins, and glutamine for gut health [42:04], [43:57].

Cardiovascular Protection: He takes resveratrol, turmeric/curcumin, and bergamot to mitigate the negative effects of professional sports on cholesterol and organs. href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfU449WFIOk&t=2815″>46:55], [47:31].

• Quality: He places extreme value on the quality of food (e.g., grass-fed beef instead of fast food), which he sees as a key to his long-term success [19:47].

3. Health Challenges

• Autoimmune Disease (2018): Four weeks before his first Olympic victory, Cbum ended up in the hospital with kidney problems and extreme edema. This experience taught him humility and forced him to adopt a less risky approach to bodybuilding [05:05].
• Risk Management: After the illness, he partially halved his dosages of performance-enhancing drugs and set clear “guardrails” to avoid sacrificing his long-term health [16:39].

4. Mentality & Success

Discipline vs. Motivation: He emphasizes that systems and routine are more important than motivation. On days when he lacked energy, he focused solely on the next set or rep [01:14:31], [01:19:02].

Presence: In moments of victory on stage, he tried to be extremely present and let go of the fear of the outcome [01:21:44].

Chris Bumstead recently announced his retirement from professional sports and is now focusing on longevity and his family. [59:48].

several videos by Gary Breka on peptides