Getting Started
Peptides 101
New to peptides? Start here. We'll walk you through the basics in plain English — what they do, how to use them, and where to find quality products.
What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that your body makes naturally. Think of them as messengers — they tell your cells what to do, like repair tissue, burn fat, or build muscle.
Different peptides do different things. Some help with recovery and healing, others support fat loss, skin health, or better sleep. That's why we organize them by category — so you can find what you're looking for.
For research purposes, peptides come as a freeze-dried powder that you mix with water before use. We'll walk you through that process below.
How do peptides work?
STEP 01
The Message
A peptide travels through your body and finds the right cells to talk to.
STEP 02
The Signal
It tells those cells what to do — repair tissue, release hormones, burn fat, and more.
STEP 03
The Result
Your cells respond — you may see better recovery, improved skin, or other benefits over time.
Even small differences between peptides can lead to very different results — that's why each one has its own reference page with benefits, dosage, and reviews.
Peptide categories
Peptides are grouped by what they do. Here's what each category covers:
Recovery
Tissue repair and recovery support.
GHRH
Growth hormone related peptides.
Skin
Skin, collagen, and anti-aging support.
Peptide Blend
Multiple peptides combined in one vial.
Anti-Oxidant
Helps reduce oxidative stress.
Reproductive
Reproductive health support.
Metabolic
Metabolism and fat loss support.
Longevity
Anti-aging and cellular repair support.
Melanocortin
Tanning and pigmentation peptides.
GLP-1
Weight loss and metabolic support.
Explore the encyclopedia
View allTesamorelin
GHRHA GHRH analog that stimulates natural growth hormone release, studied for reducing visceral fat and improving body composition.
Read Research OverviewTB-500
RecoveryA synthetic fraction of thymosin beta-4 studied for its potential role in tissue repair and cellular migration in research settings.
Read Research OverviewSemaglutide
GLP-1A weight loss peptide that controls appetite and helps you lose weight steadily.
Read Research OverviewRetatrutide
GLP-1A triple-agonist peptide targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors for weight loss and metabolic health.
Read Research OverviewNAD+
LongevityA coenzyme and peptide-related compound studied for its role in cellular energy metabolism and sirtuin pathway activation in laboratory research.
Read Research OverviewMelanotan II
MelanocortinA synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist studied for its potential effects on pigmentation and metabolic pathways in laboratory research.
Read Research OverviewReconstitution basics
Research peptides come as a freeze-dried powder. Before use, you mix the powder with bacteriostatic water — this is called reconstitution.
How much water you add changes how strong the solution is. For example, adding 2 mL of water to a 5 mg vial gives you 2.5 mg per mL. Our calculator does the math for you.
Key terminology
Lyophilized
Freeze-dried powder form. Most peptides come this way and need to be mixed with water before use.
Reconstitution
Mixing the freeze-dried peptide powder with water to create a liquid solution.
Bacteriostatic Water
Sterile water with a preservative, used to mix peptides.
Concentration
How much peptide is in the liquid, usually measured in mg per mL.
Cycle
How long you use a peptide before taking a break.
Stack
Using multiple peptides together for combined benefits.
Research safety & handling
- → Store peptides in a cool, dry place away from direct light.
- → Keep reconstituted peptides refrigerated and use within 30 days.
- → Follow proper safety protocols for handling and disposal.
- → All peptides on this site are for research use only — not for human consumption or medical use.
Looking for research-grade peptides?
We recommend Vina Bio Labs — COA verified, third-party tested, US-made research peptides.