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    Huberman Lab

    Benefits & Risks of Peptide Therapeutics for Physical & Mental Health

    Mon Apr 01 2024
    therapeutic peptidesBPC-157growth hormonelongevitymoodlibido

    Description

    This episode explores the world of therapeutic peptides, including their benefits, functions, safety considerations, and potential risks. It covers specific peptides like BPC-157, thymosin beta-4, TB 500, growth hormone promoting peptides, and peptides for longevity, mood, and libido. The episode emphasizes the importance of working with a physician and being aware of potential risks when using peptide therapeutics.

    Insights

    BPC-157

    BPC-157 has been extensively studied in animal models but lacks rigorous exploration in human clinical studies. It shows potential for promoting fibroblast migration and vascular growth at injury sites, but caution is advised due to its potential impact on tumor growth.

    Peptides for Stimulating Growth Hormone Release

    Different types of peptides can increase growth hormone levels but may also have side effects like elevated prolactin and cortisol. Working with a physician and careful dosing are important to avoid unnecessary risks.

    Peptides for Longevity

    Peptides like Epitalan aim to mimic compounds released by the pineal gland in youth to promote anti-inflammatory and cellular longevity pathways. However, there are no direct clinical trials supporting their use for life extension.

    Peptides for Mood and Libido

    Peptides like melanotan and PT-141 impact mood, libido, and appetite through activating melanocytes in the skin and crossing the blood brain barrier. Kisspeptin plays a role in hormone production and reproduction.

    Final Insights

    Peptide therapeutics have pleotropic effects with various benefits and risks. Working with a board-certified physician is crucial when using peptide therapeutics.

    Chapters

    1. Introduction to Therapeutic Peptides
    2. Benefits and Functions of Peptides
    3. Safety and Benefits of Peptide Therapeutics
    4. Mechanism of Action of BPC-157
    5. Key Insights on BPC-157
    6. Considerations for BPC-157 and Other Peptides
    7. Insights on Thymosin Beta IV and TB 500
    8. Peptides for Stimulating Growth Hormone Release
    9. Insights on Peptides for Stimulating Growth Hormone Release
    10. Considerations for Peptides Stimulating Growth Hormone Release
    11. Effects and Risks of Growth Hormone
    12. Insights on Peptides for Longevity
    13. Insights on Peptides for Mood and Libido
    14. Final Insights on Peptide Therapeutics
    Summary
    Transcript

    Introduction to Therapeutic Peptides

    00:00 - 07:00

    • Peptides, including GLP1 analogs, are gaining attention for various therapeutic purposes like tissue healing, longevity, and vitality.
    • There are many different types of peptides in our body, such as insulin and oxytocin, with diverse functions.
    • Therapeutic peptides fall into three categories: prescription peptides, gray market peptides available online with questionable safety and efficacy, and black market peptides which should be avoided due to potential contamination.
    • The podcast aims to provide a simple framework to understand the different therapeutic peptides, their advantages for specific purposes, risks involved, and how they work alone or in combination for physical and mental health goals.

    Benefits and Functions of Peptides

    06:38 - 13:37

    • Red light and near-infrared light have positive effects on cellular and organ health, including muscle recovery, skin health, wound healing, acne removal, pain reduction, inflammation reduction, improved mitochondrial function, and vision enhancement.
    • Peptides are small proteins made up of chains of amino acids with various functions in the body.
    • Peptides can have pleiotropic effects, meaning they affect many different aspects of cells and organs.
    • Peptide therapeutics often have multiple effects depending on cell type, time of exposure, and downstream effects upon binding to receptors.
    • Therapeutic peptides can be obtained through prescription from a board-certified medical doctor for safe usage.

    Safety and Benefits of Peptide Therapeutics

    13:13 - 19:48

    • LPS, a substance that can accumulate in peptide manufacturing, should be removed before ingestion or injection to prevent immune responses.
    • It is crucial to obtain peptides from reliable sources like pharma or compounding pharmacies to ensure purity and removal of LPS.
    • Peptide therapeutics can be beneficial for tissue rejuvenation and repair, including muscles, connective tissues, and gut issues like IBS and colitis.
    • Therapeutic peptides can also target metabolism, longevity by potentially staving off tumor growth and increasing lifespan, as well as vitality by improving mood and libido in both men and women.
    • BPC 157 is a synthetic peptide involved in wound healing and tissue repair, resembling a naturally occurring peptide within the gut due to the frequent turnover of cells in the gut lining.

    Mechanism of Action of BPC-157

    19:29 - 26:13

    • Angiogenesis is crucial for tissue rejuvenation and repair by promoting the development of new blood vessels and endothelial cells.
    • BPC-157 encourages cellular turnover, migration, and angiogenesis to increase blood flow and promote tissue repair in animal studies.
    • BPC-157 promotes the growth of capillaries, veins, and fibroblasts within injury sites to aid in muscle, ligament, and tendon repair.
    • Historically, gastric juices were used to preserve tissues for later grafting, leading to the discovery of BPC as a beneficial compound for tissue healing.
    • The mechanism of how BPC-157 accesses injured tissues in the body remains unclear despite its therapeutic use for tissue rejuvenation and repair.

    Key Insights on BPC-157

    25:43 - 32:16

    • BPC-157 has been extensively studied in animal models but lacks rigorous exploration in human clinical studies.
    • There is a wealth of anecdotal data on the effects of BPC-157 in humans, despite the lack of formal research.
    • The mode of delivery of BPC-157 (systemic or local) does not seem to significantly impact its effectiveness.
    • BPC-157 shows potential for promoting fibroblast migration and vascular growth at injury sites.
    • Caution is advised with BPC-157 use due to its potential impact on tumor growth by upregulating growth hormone receptors.

    Considerations for BPC-157 and Other Peptides

    31:50 - 38:35

    • BPC157 may accelerate tumor growth by increasing angiogenesis and should be used cautiously, especially for individuals with cancer concerns.
    • Despite strong anecdotal evidence of benefits like faster injury recovery, BPC157's potential risks, lack of human data, and tumor concerns are significant.
    • Thymosin Beta IV and TB 500 peptides are gaining attention for tissue rejuvenation based on animal studies showing improved wound healing rates.
    • The idea behind thymosin beta-4 peptides is rooted in the natural tissue repair abilities observed in children due to peptides secreted from the thymus.

    Insights on Thymosin Beta IV and TB 500

    38:12 - 44:42

    • Thymosin beta-4 is used for tissue rejuvenation and repair, promoting stem cell proliferation and extracellular matrix growth.
    • TB 500 (thymosin beta-4) is not growth-promoting but aids in tissue repair.
    • BPC 157 promotes angiogenesis and wound repair through new vasculature addition.
    • Growth hormone decreases after age 30, affecting metabolism, muscle growth, and overall well-being.
    • IGF-1, produced by the liver in response to growth hormone, has similar effects on energy production and tissue repair.

    Peptides for Stimulating Growth Hormone Release

    44:23 - 50:45

    • Growth hormone and IGF-1 have various effects on different tissues, leading some to seek ways to increase their levels.
    • Synthetic growth hormones are available for purchase and can stimulate tissue growth, including muscle, but may also promote tumor growth.
    • Peptide therapeutics have been developed to stimulate the release of growth hormone and IGF-1 without directly injecting growth hormone.
    • Two categories of peptides for stimulating growth hormone release: GHRH peptides and growth hormone releasing peptides.
    • Category one peptides like Sermorelin and Tesamorelin mimic naturally occurring hormones and are FDA approved for certain conditions.
    • Sermorelin is prescribed for short stature treatment, while Tesamorelin is used to reduce visceral fat in HIV patients.
    • Sermorelin can increase circulating levels of growth hormone and IGF-1, leading to vitality, muscle growth, fat loss, and improved deep sleep in some individuals.

    Insights on Peptides for Stimulating Growth Hormone Release

    50:18 - 56:47

    • Tessa Morelline and Sromerelline are similar peptides with small differences in amino acid sequence, but Tessa Morelline is more long-lasting and typically taken three times per week.
    • CJC1295 is a growth hormone secreting peptide that lasts several days, but it has entered clinical trials and has been associated with a death related to cardiovascular dysfunction and fluid retention.
    • The type one category of growth hormone secreting peptides, including Serma-relin and Tessa-Merellin, may be the most advantageous to explore due to safety concerns with CJC1295.
    • Category two peptides like Ipomeralan and Hexarelin stimulate growth hormone release by mimicking or stimulating ghrelin, which can also increase hunger and anxiety.
    • Hexarelin is the strongest stimulator of growth hormone release but can have side effects like increased prolactin levels, libido suppression, fluid retention, and desensitization of growth hormone receptors.

    Considerations for Peptides Stimulating Growth Hormone Release

    56:27 - 1:02:47

    • Different types of growth hormone promoting peptides, like hexarelin and GHRP2, can increase growth hormone levels but may also have side effects like elevated prolactin and cortisol.
    • It is important to work with a physician when exploring these peptides to avoid taking too much or for too long, as well as monitoring prolactin levels.
    • Peptides should be taken before bed on an empty stomach to maximize their effectiveness in increasing growth hormone and IGF-1 levels.
    • There are synthetic peptides like Sermorelin and Tess Morellin that are FDA approved for certain purposes related to increasing growth hormone and IGF-1.
    • Combining different growth hormone promoting peptides can be done but requires careful dosing to avoid unnecessary increases in prolactin and cortisol.

    Effects and Risks of Growth Hormone

    1:02:24 - 1:08:50

    • Taking growth hormone can lead to physical changes in the body, such as cartilage growth, facial changes, and a distended gut.
    • Augmenting growth hormone increases the risk of tumor growth and cancer due to its indiscriminate promotion of tissue growth.
    • FDA-approved compounds like sermorelin and tesamorelin are used for increasing growth hormone but carry risks, especially for younger individuals.
    • Considerations for using peptides involved in longevity like Epitalin include their effects on telomere length and potential anti-inflammatory benefits.
    • Epitalin is designed to mimic a naturally occurring peptide released from the pineal gland and may have implications for cell longevity.

    Insights on Peptides for Longevity

    1:08:29 - 1:15:31

    • Epitalan, also known as epithelen, mimics a naturally occurring peptide called epithelamin and is used for longevity based on animal data.
    • Melatonin and epithelamin levels decrease with age, leading to increased tissue inflammation.
    • Peptides like Epitalan aim to mimic compounds released by the pineal gland in youth to promote anti-inflammatory and cellular longevity pathways.
    • There are no direct clinical trials supporting the use of Epitalan for life extension.
    • Melanocyte stimulating hormone-related peptides like melanotan impact mood and libido by mimicking naturally occurring hormones that respond to light exposure.

    Insights on Peptides for Mood and Libido

    1:15:08 - 1:21:53

    • Different peptides like melanotan and PT-141 impact mood, libido, and appetite through activating melanocytes in the skin and crossing the blood brain barrier.
    • Peptides like chispeptin play a role in hormone production and reproduction by stimulating LH and FSH release.
    • Kisspeptin is involved in puberty activation, vitality increase, and is used to treat hypothalamic amanorrhea or menopausal symptoms.
    • There are kisspeptin antagonists to suppress kisspeptin for treating menopausal symptoms.

    Final Insights on Peptide Therapeutics

    1:21:32 - 1:26:37

    • Peptides have pleotropic effects with multiple and sometimes overlapping and synergistic effects.
    • Peptide therapeutics are potent compounds with various effects, not without potential risks.
    • Peptide therapeutics show promise for treating diseases and enhancing mental and physical health.
    • It is important to work with a board-certified physician, monitor blood tests, and be aware of potential risks when using peptide therapeutics.
    • The landscape of peptides in the human body is vast, with potentially hundreds of thousands of different peptides.
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