OrderlyMeds Chief Medical Officer Brian Spears breaks down what peptides really are, how to evaluate any peptide before trying it, and where the most talked-about options stand today.
Peptide therapy is everywhere right now, from weight loss and muscle recovery to anti-aging and better sleep. But with the surge in popularity comes a flood of confusing and sometimes misleading information. So what are peptides, and how do you know which ones are safe?
In this webinar, OrderlyMeds Chief Medical Officer Brian Spears breaks down what peptides actually are, the benefits behind the most popular options, and how to evaluate any peptide before you try it. He also covers two treatments in OrderlyMeds’ longevity lineup, sermorelin and NAD+, which may support recovery, energy, and lean muscle alongside your GLP-1. Drawing on more than a decade in emergency medicine and four years in clinical research, he offers a clear, no-hype framework built around three simple questions, then walks through the science, the safety picture, and the recent FDA changes shaping what’s available in 2026.
Peptide therapy: Key takeaways
What is a peptide?
A short chain of amino acids that signals cells what to do. They’re not new. Insulin is a peptide, and GLP-1s brought fresh attention to the whole category.
Three questions to ask about any peptide.
Is it proven safe? Can I trust what’s in the vial? Is it right for me? These cut through the hype and keep the decision grounded in your health.
Peptide therapy safety runs on a ladder.
It ranges from “never tested in humans” to “FDA approved and used as intended.” Many popular peptides have strong animal data but little human data, so their benefits are largely anecdotal.
Source matters enormously.
FDA-approved medications and properly regulated compounding pharmacies are trustworthy. Gray-market “research use only” and black-market online vials carry real risk of impurities or contamination.
GLP-1s are the most studied.
GLP-1 medications regulate appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism, are FDA-approved, and require a prescription and supervision.
Sermorelin supports your own growth hormone.
Sermorelin was FDA-approved in 1997 and later pulled for business, not safety, reasons. Reported benefits include body composition changes and better sleep.
NAD+ isn’t a peptide.
NAD+ is a coenzyme that supports cellular energy. Levels decline with age, but whether supplementing reliably boosts energy is unproven and varies by person.
The “Wolverine” stack targets recovery.
BPC-157 plus TB-500 aims at healing tendons, ligaments, and gut health. Promising early data, but no randomized controlled trials yet.
GHK-Cu is popular for skin.
Well studied topically for collagen repair. Injectable use has less human data but strong anecdotal “glow” reports.
The FDA is shifting.
An advisory panel (PCAC) recently voted to begin moving several peptides toward legal compounding. It’s a first step, not final approval.
Peptide therapy doesn’t replace the foundation.
No peptide substitutes for protein, movement, sleep, and connection. They amplify what you’re already doing rather than replace it.
Your Questions, Answered
In a fasted state, about two hours after eating or 30 minutes before your next meal, because they can affect glucose levels. They work best at night to support your body’s natural growth hormone release during sleep.
Yes, growth hormone peptides can help, but only alongside resistance training. They magnify the response you get from training rather than working on their own.
Most muscle loss during GLP-1 use comes from rapid weight loss itself, not the medication. Growth hormone peptides paired with resistance training can help protect lean muscle mass.
There’s no meaningful difference. Choose the time you can stick to consistently. If side effects tend to hit an hour or two after your dose, take it at night so you sleep through them.
Stay on the lowest effective dose as long as you’re seeing any weight loss, and only step up after a month without progress.
BPC-157 and TB-500 promote new cell growth (angiogenesis), which in theory could worsen an undetected cancer, though no human studies have shown this. As a precaution, patients with active cancer or a cancer history within five years would be excluded from these specific peptides. NAD+ is considered a much lower theoretical concern.
Baseline labs are strongly encouraged before starting peptide therapy, with follow-ups every three to six months depending on the peptide and how much change you’re seeing. Underlying kidney or liver conditions need to be monitored with your provider.
Currently sermorelin and NAD+, with glutathione and tesamorelin in the works. OrderlyMeds is deliberately holding off on peptides that aren’t yet legal to compound so it can guarantee exactly what’s in every vial.
That’s a lot to take in, but the three questions are the part worth remembering: Is it safe? Can I trust the vial? Is it right for me? If you want to go deeper on peptide therapy, Dr. Spears and the rest of the OrderlyMeds expert team host live Q&A sessions throughout the year on peptides, GLP-1s, nutrition, and more, where you can get your own questions answered in real time. Check out the OrderlyMeds live events page to register for the next one.
In the meantime, general questions about peptides or GLP-1s can go to [email protected], while personal medical questions are best directed to your provider, who knows your full history. One note: you must be an OrderlyMeds customer on a GLP-1 to purchase sermorelin or NAD+. We’re here to support you, every step of the way.
This article and the questions answered here are for general educational purposes only and reflect a discussion held during a live webinar. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for a consultation with your licensed healthcare provider. Individual results vary, and any decision to start, stop, or change a peptide or medication should be made with your provider based on your personal health history. Many of the peptides discussed are not FDA-approved, and compounded medications, while made with similar active ingredients to their FDA-approved counterparts, are not themselves FDA-approved. Statements about benefits, safety, dosing, and regulatory status reflect information available at the time of the webinar and may change. Always talk with your provider before beginning any new treatment.
