Appetite Control Peptides
Regulates appetite and hunger
Appetite control peptides regulate hunger and satiety signals through gut-brain communication pathways. GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide) are the most effective, working by mimicking a hormone your small intestine releases after eating that tells your brain you are full. They also slow gastric emptying, so food stays in your stomach longer, extending the feeling of satiety. MK-677, conversely, increases appetite through ghrelin receptor activation, which is useful for people trying to gain weight.
The ability to modulate appetite in either direction makes this category relevant for both weight loss and weight gain protocols. Understanding which direction a peptide pushes appetite is critical for choosing the right compound for your goal.
This page collects every peptide on PeptideWiki tagged for appetite control. Browse individual profiles for mechanisms, dosing, and safety data.
Peptides (8)
Retatrutide
Retatrutide is an investigational medication that activates three hormone receptors (GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon) at the same time. Phase 2 trials showed up to 24% body weight loss at 48 weeks, and it is currently in Phase 3 development.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a medication that mimics a natural fullness hormone (GLP-1) in the body. It is FDA-approved as Wegovy for weight management and Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, with significant effects on appetite control and blood sugar regulation.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a dual-action medication that activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, two key fullness and blood sugar hormones. It is FDA-approved as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight management, outperforming semaglutide in head-to-head trials.
Melanotan II
Melanotan II is a synthetic version of alpha-MSH, a natural hormone involved in skin pigmentation. It activates hormone receptors involved in skin color and sexual function, and is being studied for both tanning and sexual health applications.
Liraglutide
Liraglutide is a medication that mimics a natural fullness hormone (GLP-1) in the body. It is FDA-approved as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for weight management, with an extensive record of clinical safety and effectiveness data.
Cagrilintide
Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analogue, a once-weekly injection that mimics a natural fullness hormone to curb appetite and reduce body weight. It is studied both on its own and combined with semaglutide as CagriSema, which produced about 20 percent weight loss in late-stage trials. It is investigational and not yet approved.
Setmelanotide
Setmelanotide (brand name Imcivree) is an FDA-approved injectable peptide that switches on a brain receptor controlling hunger. It is approved specifically for rare forms of severe obesity driven by the brain hunger pathway, not for general weight loss, and in trials it cut both hunger and body weight in those conditions.
Tesofensine
Tesofensine is an oral weight-loss compound that blocks the brain from reabsorbing three appetite-related chemical messengers, noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin, so the feeling of fullness lasts longer and hunger drops. In a Phase 2 trial it produced about twice the weight loss of the diet drugs available at the time. It is investigational and not approved.