Peptides, Explained: From Gut Healing to Metabolic Health
A practical guide to the buzzy world of peptides: what they do, when to use them, and how to support your body the right way.
Most people have heard of GLP-1s by now, the class of medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro that have really taken off over the last few years. But what many don’t realize is that GLP-1s are just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a whole world of peptides out there, each with its own unique role in healing, metabolism, recovery, and even mood support.
So let’s break it all down in today’s post: what peptides are, why they’re getting so much attention, and a few of the most powerful ones that I love.
What Are Peptides?
At their core, peptides are short chains of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins). While proteins are long chains that fold into complex structures, peptides are simpler and more targeted. Think of them like little messengers that tell your body what to do: grow tissue, reduce inflammation, regulate hormones, improve immune function, and so much more.
Your body naturally produces hundreds of peptides. But through aging, stress, or illness, levels can drop and that’s where therapeutic peptide use can come in. Supplementing with specific peptides helps nudge your body’s systems back into balance not by overriding them but by reminding them what to do. It’s more like a gentle “hey, remember this pathway?” than a loud pharmaceutical hammer.
Why Are Peptides Getting So Much Hype Now?
There are a few reasons peptides are suddenly everywhere:
Precision: unlike many medications that blanket the whole body with effects, peptides are more selective. They bind to specific receptors and have fewer systemic side effects.
Accessibility: compounding pharmacies have made them more widely available and the wellness world has caught on.
Versatility: whether it’s gut healing, tissue repair, fat loss, mood regulation, or even aesthetics — there’s likely a peptide for it.
But as with all things trendy in wellness, nuance matters. Not every peptide is safe for every person. Quality matters. Dosing matters. And more doesn’t always mean better (in fact, it rarely does).
If you’re just starting your wellness journey, peptides might not be the best first step. If you haven’t already worked on your foundations of health like nourishing your body well, regulating stress, and getting good sleep, you may not see the results you’re looking for. Peptides are amazing tools, but they’re not a bandaid solution.
How Peptides Are Used
One of the biggest questions I get is: how do you actually take peptides?
Most peptides are administered via subcutaneous injection which means you use a tiny syringe to inject a small amount into the soft tissue of your belly or upper thigh. It’s quick, virtually painless, and something most people can do at home after being shown how.
Some peptides (like Selank or Semax) are available as nasal sprays, which is especially helpful for targeting the brain and nervous system. A few others come as creams or topicals, like GHK-Cu for skin & hair.
Most peptides are used in cycles, not forever. Depending on the goal, we often use them for 6 to 12 weeks then take a break and reassess. You’ll usually start seeing benefits by week 3–4, though some (like BPC-157) can work even sooner. Just know this isn’t instant gratification: peptides work at the cellular level, so the results are deeper and longer lasting.
BPC-157: The Body's Repair Peptide
This is easily one of my favorite peptides. BPC stands for “Body Protection Compound” and it lives up to the name.
BPC-157 is derived from a protein found in your gut and it’s one of the most regenerative peptides we know of. It supports the gut-brain axis, calms systemic inflammation, and accelerates healing in soft tissues, the digestive tract, joints, and even the nervous system.
What it’s used for:
Gut healing (leaky gut, IBS, ulcerative symptoms)
Post-surgical healing
Injury recovery
Joint or ligament issues (tendonitis, strains)
Mood and nervous system regulation via the vagus nerve
What the research says:
Animal models show accelerated wound healing, protection of the gut lining, and reduced inflammatory cytokines, particularly in inflammatory bowel conditions and soft tissue damage.
TB500: Muscle Recovery’s Best Friend
TB500 is a version of thymosin beta-4, a protein your body uses during injury repair. While BPC-157 is great for local healing, TB500 works more systemically. It travels farther in the body, works deeper in muscle and fascia, and helps reorganize actin (a key part of the cellular structure involved in tissue repair).
What it’s used for:
Muscle, tendon, and ligament recovery
Chronic injury management
Enhancing blood vessel formation and new cell growth
What the research says:
Animal studies support its role in promoting cellular regeneration and reducing fibrosis. One key area of interest? Cardiovascular tissue healing post-injury.
When paired with physical therapy or movement work, TB500 can speed recovery dramatically. But I always recommend using it short-term and under supervision. It’s powerful and not something to experiment with casually.
GHK-Cu: The Skin + Hair Peptide
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper peptide complex that promotes tissue repair, reduces inflammation, and has powerful anti-aging benefits. This one’s especially beloved in the aesthetic world, but it goes deeper than just fine lines.
What it’s used for:
Stimulating collagen and elastin
Improving hair growth and follicle strength
Healing wounds or scars
Reducing signs of skin aging (wrinkles, discoloration)
What the research says:
Studies have shown GHK-Cu can stimulate wound healing, increase hair follicle size, and even regulate genes involved in inflammation and cancer suppression.
GLP-1: The Metabolic Peptide
Now we get to the buzziest peptide of all: GLP-1.
GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) is a hormone your gut produces after eating. It helps regulate blood sugar, slows gastric emptying, and makes you feel full. The class of medications that mimic GLP-1 (like semaglutide and tirzepatide) were originally developed for type 2 diabetes but are now being widely used for weight loss.
And that’s where the controversy comes in.
Why Is GLP-1 So Popular (and So Debated)?
Because…it works.
GLP-1 receptor agonists significantly reduce appetite, improve insulin sensitivity, and help many people lose weight — especially when combined with lifestyle changes. But there are some real concerns, including:
Overprescription for aesthetics without looking at underlying metabolic health and often dipping into underweight territory
Side effects from high dosing and lack of individualized care (nausea, fatigue, muscle loss, nutrient deficiencies)
Dependency leading to rebound weight gain after stopping
Using it to treat symptoms without addressing the deeper root causes (cortisol, thyroid, inflammation, insulin resistance, or emotional eating)
When is GLP-1 Appropriate?
In my opinion, it can be a game-changer when used correctly. That means working with someone who understands metabolic health, supporting your liver, mitochondria, gut, and hormones before starting, and using the lowest effective dose — not blasting your system from the get-go.
It also means pairing it with targeted nutrition, protein repletion, strength training, and supportive supplements. And it should always be used as a bridge, not a lifelong solution.
My Approach to GLP-1s
If I recommend a GLP-1 peptide, it’s because we’ve already done the foundational work. We’ve tried nutrition and supplement-based tools, we’ve identified root causes like cortisol dysregulation or blood sugar crashes, and we’ve optimized digestion and detox pathways so the body can actually handle the changes.
I emphasize micro-dosing and slowly increasing as needed. Yes, it’s a slower process, but the side effects are lower, the weight tends to stay off after stopping, and the overall experience is more sustainable.
I also layer in mitochondrial support like CoQ10, B vitamins, and carnitine. These nutrients help your cells create energy and reduce fatigue while on GLP-1s, especially since appetite suppression often means people under-eat essential nutrients.
Muscle maintenance is another non-negotiable. Protein intake, creatine, and resistance training help protect your metabolism from tanking. Without this, people lose more muscle than fat, which is not the kind of weight loss we want.
And finally: we look at the emotional side. Weight isn’t just about calories — it’s about history, trauma, beliefs, and nervous system regulation. All of that matters.
GLP-1s should feel like scaffolding, not a forever crutch.
Peptides Are Powerful, But They’re Not Magic
Peptides work with your body’s natural pathways. They can accelerate healing, reduce inflammation, and support areas that feel stuck. But they aren’t magic, and they don’t replace the basics: solid sleep, stable blood sugar, strong digestion, or hormone balance.
If you’re curious about peptide therapy, work with a practitioner who understands how to:
Personalize your protocol
Interpret functional labs
Layer in supportive nutrition, supplements, and movement
Know when to start and when to stop
Peptides can be an amazing catalyst, but only when used wisely.
Final Thoughts
I’ve used peptides with individuals recovering from trauma, surgery, gut dysfunction, metabolic burnout, and even long COVID. And when they’re dosed correctly and supported holistically, they’re some of the most exciting tools we have right now.
But like anything powerful, they need to be used with care. If you’re interested in working with peptides for healing, hormones, or body composition you can use this link to schedule a discovery call.