Anti-Aging Peptides

Targets aging-related mechanisms

Primary Use

Anti-aging peptides target the biological processes that drive aging at the cellular level: DNA damage, telomere shortening, mitochondrial decline, cellular senescence (the buildup of old, damaged cells that stop dividing but refuse to die), and chronic low-grade inflammation. Rather than addressing surface-level symptoms, these compounds aim to slow or partially reverse the mechanisms that cause tissues to deteriorate over time.

The most studied anti-aging peptides include epitalon (which activates telomerase, the enzyme that maintains protective caps on chromosomes), thymalin and thymosin alpha-1 (which restore immune function that declines with age), GHK-Cu (a copper peptide that shifts the activity of more than 4,000 human genes involved in tissue remodeling, antioxidant defense, and DNA repair), and NAD+ precursors that restore cellular energy production. Evidence ranges from robust animal studies to small human trials, with very few large-scale clinical trials.

This page collects every peptide on PeptideWiki tagged for anti-aging research. Browse individual profiles for detailed mechanisms, dosing protocols, and safety information.

Peptides (14)

NAD+

Longevity & Cellular Health

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a critical molecule found in every living cell. It is essential for mitochondrial energy production, DNA repair, and cellular metabolism. NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, and supplementation is being studied for anti-aging and metabolic health benefits.

Sermorelin

Growth Hormone / IGF-1 Axis

Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid growth hormone-releasing compound. It was FDA-approved for pediatric growth hormone deficiency and is widely used off-label for anti-aging and body composition improvement.

CJC-1295 (Modified GRF 1-29)

Growth Hormone / IGF-1 Axis

CJC-1295 without DAC (also called Modified GRF 1-29) is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing compound with a short active window of about 30 minutes. It is being studied for its effects on growth hormone release and body composition.

Ipamorelin

Growth Hormone / IGF-1 Axis

Ipamorelin is a selective compound that triggers growth hormone release, originally developed by Novo Nordisk. It stimulates growth hormone without significantly affecting cortisol or prolactin levels. It has been studied in clinical trials for postoperative recovery.

Epitalon (Epithalon)

Longevity & Cellular Health

Epitalon is a synthetic four-amino-acid peptide studied primarily in Russia. Research focuses on activating telomerase (an enzyme that maintains chromosome caps), supporting pineal gland function, and potential anti-aging effects.

SS-31 (Elamipretide)

Longevity & Cellular Health

SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a four-amino-acid peptide that targets and concentrates in the inner membrane of mitochondria (the energy centers of cells). It is being developed for mitochondrial diseases, heart failure, and age-related conditions.

Humanin

Longevity & Cellular Health

Humanin is a 24-amino-acid peptide produced by mitochondria (the energy centers of cells), encoded in mitochondrial DNA. It was discovered for its ability to protect brain cells from amyloid-beta toxicity, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Research explores its roles in brain protection, metabolic regulation, and cellular stress resistance.

Glutathione

Longevity & Cellular Health

Glutathione is a three-amino-acid peptide made naturally in every cell from glutamate, cysteine, and glycine. It neutralizes damaging molecules, supports mitochondrial energy production, and helps the liver process toxins. Levels fall with age and chronic illness, making it a widely studied target for antioxidant and anti-aging research.

GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)

Skin, Hair & Aesthetics

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring peptide-copper complex found in human blood, saliva, and urine. It is being studied primarily for wound healing, skin regeneration, and anti-aging applications, and is available in topical formulations.

GHK (Tripeptide)

Injury, Repair & Recovery

GHK is a naturally occurring three-amino-acid peptide found in human blood, saliva, and urine, with levels that decline with age. Separate from its copper-bound form (GHK-Cu), free GHK is being studied for its ability to influence gene activity patterns linked to tissue repair, inflammation reduction, and regeneration.

Thymalin

Immune & Inflammation

Thymalin is a peptide complex originally extracted from calf thymus glands, developed in Russia. Research focuses on immune system restoration, anti-aging effects, and recovery of thymus gland function, particularly in elderly and immune-compromised individuals.

FOXO4-DRI

Longevity & Cellular Health

FOXO4-DRI is a 43-amino-acid synthetic peptide that selectively eliminates senescent cells, the aged and damaged cells that accumulate in the body over time. All evidence comes from cell culture and animal studies. No human clinical trials have been conducted.

Pinealon

Cognition, Mood & Neuroprotection

Pinealon is a synthetic three-amino-acid peptide that may help regulate pineal gland and central nervous system function. Developed in Russia, research focuses on sleep regulation, brain cell protection, and cognitive function in aging.

Cortagen

Cognition, Mood & Neuroprotection

Cortagen is a synthetic four-amino-acid peptide that may help regulate brain cortex function. Developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, research focuses on supporting cognitive function in aging and protecting brain cells.

Frequently Asked Questions

Different peptides target different aging mechanisms. Epitalon activates telomerase, which rebuilds the protective end caps (telomeres) on your chromosomes that shorten each time a cell divides. GHK-Cu is a signaling peptide that resets gene expression toward a younger pattern, promoting collagen production, antioxidant defense, and tissue repair. Thymalin and thymosin alpha-1 restore thymus function, which is critical because the thymus (the organ that trains your immune cells) shrinks significantly with age. FOXO4-DRI targets senescent cells for elimination.

The evidence varies widely by compound. Epitalon has human studies from the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation showing improved immune markers and potentially extended lifespan in elderly populations, though these studies are small and not replicated in Western trials. GHK-Cu has extensive gene expression data showing it shifts more than 4,000 human genes toward a younger expression profile. Most other anti-aging peptides have strong animal data but limited controlled human trials. Part of that gap is economic rather than scientific. Most of these compounds are old or naturally occurring, which makes them harder to protect commercially, so the incentive to fund a large trial is weaker than it is for a new patented drug. This is an active area of research, not settled science.

Most biomarkers of aging begin declining measurably in your 30s: growth hormone output drops, NAD+ levels fall, telomeres shorten, and thymus function decreases. There is no consensus on an ideal starting age. Some researchers focus on peptides after age 40 when these declines become clinically relevant. The practical consideration is that younger, healthy individuals may see minimal benefit because their baseline systems are still functioning well.

Combination protocols are common in the anti-aging peptide community because different compounds target different mechanisms. A typical approach might pair a GH secretagogue (for body composition and recovery) with epitalon (for telomere maintenance) and GHK-Cu (for tissue remodeling). However, clinical data on these specific combinations does not exist. More compounds means more variables, more cost, and more potential for unexpected interactions. Starting with one and adding others based on response is the cautious approach.

Safety profiles vary by compound. GHK-Cu and epitalon have relatively clean safety records in available studies. Thymosin alpha-1 is an approved drug in some countries for hepatitis treatment. The main theoretical concern with any intervention that promotes cell growth or division (telomerase activation, growth hormone elevation) is the potential to promote growth of undetected cancers. This remains theoretical, but it is why cancer screening and regular blood work are recommended alongside any anti-aging protocol.

Related Primary Use Tags