GLP-1 and related metabolic peptides are among the most researched compounds for appetite regulation, blood-sugar control, and fat loss.
10 peptides commonly researched for this goal. Tap any card for the full guide.
A genuinely FDA-approved peptide (for visceral fat in HIV lipodystrophy) that's widely used off-label for general body composition.
Read the guideAn older, stronger GH-releasing peptide. More effective per dose than Ipamorelin, but with a rougher side-effect profile.
Read the guideThe original ghrelin-mimetic GHRP. Famous (or notorious) for making users very hungry.
Read the guideThe one entry on this list that's a mainstream, FDA-approved medication. Not a research peptide.
Read the guideThe leading GLP-1/GIP dual agonist right now. FDA-approved and outperforming semaglutide in head-to-head weight trials.
Read the guideThe most-watched 'next generation' weight-loss peptide in trials. Not yet approved, but drawing huge attention for its early efficacy numbers.
Read the guideAn amylin-pathway peptide being trialed alongside semaglutide. A different mechanism aimed at the same appetite-suppression goal.
Read the guideA GH-fragment marketed heavily for fat loss, but worth flagging clearly: its own clinical trials didn't show strong efficacy over placebo.
Read the guideThe original mainstream GLP-1 weight/diabetes drug, now somewhat overshadowed by weekly semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Read the guideA dual-mechanism GLP-1/glucagon peptide in trials, with a specific research focus on liver fat in addition to weight.
Read the guideMost of the weight-loss peptides worth talking about fall into two families, and they are not close in evidence. The first is the GLP-1 and incretin drugs: semaglutide (Ozempic), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), liraglutide (Victoza), and newer trial compounds like retatrutide, cagrilintide, and survodutide. These act on gut and brain hormone pathways that control appetite and blood sugar. Semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide are FDA-approved medications with large human trials behind them, not research peptides. That is the important line.
The second family is the growth-hormone secretagogues and other fat-loss compounds: tesamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, and AOD-9604. These raise growth hormone or claim to target fat directly. The human data here is thinner and points at body composition and visceral fat rather than big scale-weight drops. Tesamorelin is genuinely FDA-approved, but for visceral fat in HIV lipodystrophy, and gets used off-label for general body composition. AOD-9604 is worth flagging plainly: its own clinical trials did not beat placebo. If you want reliable weight loss, the real evidence sits with the GLP-1 drugs.
| Peptide | Category | Studied for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| TesamorelinEgrifta | Growth Hormone Secretagogues | Muscle Growth, Longevity | Extensive research |
| GHRP-2GH releasing peptide (GHRP) | Growth Hormone Secretagogues | Muscle Growth, Longevity | Moderate research |
| GHRP-6GH releasing peptide (GHRP) | Growth Hormone Secretagogues | Muscle Growth, Longevity | Moderate research |
| SemaglutideOzempic | Metabolic & Weight | Weight Loss, Energy & Metabolism | Extensive research |
| TirzepatideMounjaro | Metabolic & Weight | Weight Loss, Energy & Metabolism | Extensive research |
| RetatrutideGLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonist | Metabolic & Weight | Weight Loss, Energy & Metabolism | Moderate research |
| CagrilintideAmylin analog | Metabolic & Weight | Weight Loss, Energy & Metabolism | Moderate research |
| AOD-9604HGH fragment | Metabolic & Weight | Weight Loss, Energy & Metabolism | Moderate research |
| LiraglutideVictoza | Metabolic & Weight | Weight Loss, Energy & Metabolism | Extensive research |
| SurvodutideGLP-1/Glucagon dual agonist | Metabolic & Weight | Weight Loss, Energy & Metabolism | Limited research |
GLP-1 is a hormone your gut releases after you eat. Drugs like semaglutide mimic it, and the effect is mostly about appetite. You feel full sooner, stay full longer, and your stomach empties more slowly, so you eat less without white-knuckling it. They also improve blood-sugar control, which is why several started as diabetes drugs before the weight results got attention.
The newer trial compounds add mechanisms. Tirzepatide hits both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. Retatrutide adds a third target, glucagon, on top of those two. Cagrilintide works a different pathway entirely, mimicking the hormone amylin, and is being trialed alongside semaglutide. Survodutide pairs GLP-1 with glucagon and is being studied for liver fat as well as weight. More targets can mean more effect, but also more to learn about side effects and long-term safety.
These three get compared the most, and they sit at different stages. Semaglutide has the longest track record and the widest real-world use. Tirzepatide, the GLP-1/GIP dual agonist, has outperformed semaglutide in head-to-head weight trials and is the leading option right now. Both are FDA-approved. Retatrutide is the one to watch but not the one to assume: it is a triple agonist still in trials, not approved, drawing attention for strong early efficacy numbers that still need to hold up in full studies. Approved and proven beats promising and unfinished. If you are weighing options, that ranking matters more than the raw percentage figures floating around online.
Approval status is the first thing to check. Semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide are prescription medications with a defined safety profile. Retatrutide, cagrilintide, and survodutide are still in trials, which means less is settled about dosing and long-term effects. The GH secretagogues are a separate conversation with weaker weight evidence. GLP-1 side effects are common and mostly gastrointestinal: nausea, appetite loss, and slowed digestion, usually worst early and eased by slow dose increases under medical supervision. Muscle loss alongside fat loss is a real concern, so protein intake and resistance training come up a lot. None of this is medical advice. These are prescription decisions that belong with a doctor who knows your history.
For most people the answer is tirzepatide (Mounjaro), the GLP-1/GIP dual agonist that has beaten semaglutide in head-to-head weight trials and is FDA-approved. Semaglutide (Ozempic) is the close, well-established alternative. Retatrutide looks stronger in early trials but is not approved yet. The best option depends on your health history and what a doctor prescribes.
The approved GLP-1 drugs (semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide) have known safety profiles, but side effects are common, mostly nausea, appetite loss, and slowed digestion. Muscle loss is a concern too. Trial compounds like retatrutide have less settled safety data. Growth-hormone secretagogues carry their own risks. None of this is advice, and all of it belongs in a conversation with a doctor.
In head-to-head trials tirzepatide has produced greater weight loss than semaglutide, likely because it targets two hormone receptors (GLP-1 and GIP) instead of one. Both are FDA-approved and widely used. Semaglutide has the longer real-world track record. Tolerance, cost, and your medical history all factor in, so the better choice is individual, not universal.
GLP-1 peptides mimic a gut hormone your body releases after eating. They reduce appetite, slow how fast your stomach empties, and improve blood-sugar control, so you eat less without constant willpower. Semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide are the approved examples. Newer trial versions add extra hormone targets like GIP and glucagon to push the effect further.
Tesamorelin and other GH secretagogues (GHRP-2, GHRP-6) work on body composition and visceral fat more than total scale weight, and the human evidence is thinner than for GLP-1 drugs. Tesamorelin is FDA-approved for visceral fat in HIV lipodystrophy and used off-label elsewhere. AOD-9604 is marketed for fat loss, but its own trials did not beat placebo.
Semaglutide (Ozempic), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and liraglutide (Victoza) are FDA-approved medications, not research peptides. Tesamorelin is approved, but specifically for visceral fat in HIV lipodystrophy. Retatrutide, cagrilintide, and survodutide are still in clinical trials and not yet approved. Approval status is one of the clearest signals of how well studied a compound actually is.
Educational information only. This is not medical advice. Peptide AI is an informational and tracking platform. Everything on this page is for general education. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice and is not a recommendation to use any compound. Many peptides listed here are research compounds the FDA has not approved for human use. Talk to a qualified, licensed healthcare provider before you start, change, or stop any protocol.
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