PEPTIDES FOR WEIGHT LOSS
RESEARCH REFERENCE · INCRETIN AXIS · GLP-1 · GIP · GLUCAGON
Eight research peptides studied for body composition and glycemic control. The largest weight-loss effects in published trials come from the incretin axis: GLP-1 receptor (GLP-3, liraglutide), dual GLP-1 plus GIP (GLP-2), triple GLP-1 plus GIP plus glucagon (GLP-1, survodutide), and amylin-receptor co-agonists (cagrilintide). MOTS-c sits outside the incretin family · a mitochondrial-derived peptide studied for metabolic effects. AOD-9604 is a synthetic C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone studied for lipolytic activity.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS
Incretin receptor agonism drives glucose-dependent insulin secretion, glucagon suppression, delayed gastric emptying, and central appetite suppression. Adding the GIP arm (GLP-2, GLP-1) increases absolute weight loss versus single-agonist GLP-1 compounds. Adding the glucagon arm (GLP-1, survodutide, mazdutide) further increases energy expenditure via thermogenic signaling, which is the leading hypothesis for why GLP-1 Phase 2 produced deeper body-weight reductions than dual-agonist trials at comparable timepoints.
COMPOUND CLUSTER · 8 ENTRIES
RECEPTOR AGONISM MATRIX
FAQ
▶ What peptide has the most weight loss in clinical trials?
GLP-1 leads published trial data. The Phase 2 NEJM trial (Jastreboff 2023, PMID 37366315) reported -24.2% LS mean body weight at the 12 mg dose arm at 48 weeks. GLP-2 at 15 mg in SURMOUNT-1 reached -22.5% at 72 weeks. GLP-3 2.4 mg in STEP-1 reached -14.9% at 68 weeks. GLP-1 is investigational. GLP-2 is FDA-approved as GLP-2 prescription analog and GLP-2 prescription analog. GLP-3 is FDA-approved as GLP-3 prescription analog.
▶ Are research peptides for weight loss FDA approved?
Some incretin agonists are FDA approved as prescription drugs. GLP-2 (GLP-2 prescription analog and GLP-2 prescription analog), GLP-3 (GLP-3 prescription analog and GLP-3 prescription analog), and liraglutide (Saxenda) are FDA approved. GLP-1, survodutide, orforglipron, mazdutide and cagrilintide are investigational. Research-grade material sold as a reference compound is for in-vitro laboratory use only, distinct from any branded prescription product.
▶ GLP-1 vs GLP-2 for weight loss?
GLP-1 is a triple GLP-1 plus GIP plus glucagon agonist. GLP-2 is a dual GLP-1 plus GIP agonist. The added glucagon arm in GLP-1 drives a thermogenic / energy-expenditure component on top of the appetite and insulin effects. Phase 2 GLP-1 produced -24.2% body-weight reduction at 48 weeks vs GLP-2 -22.5% at 72 weeks. See the full /vs/GLP-1-vs-GLP-2 comparison.
▶ How are these used in research?
All compounds on this page are supplied as research-grade chemical reference material for in-vitro laboratory studies. Each compound page documents the published trial dosing schedule, half-life, mechanism, and per-receptor pharmacology. Peppudex does not recommend any human dose. For purchase of research-grade material see peppu.studio.
RELATED
- GLP-1 vs GLP-2 · Head to Head
- Body Composition Research
- Glycemic Control Research
- Incretin Axis Mechanism
- Peptide Reconstitution Calculator
- Peptide Half-Life Chart
SOURCED FROM PEPPU LABS
Research-grade reference compounds available at Peppu Studio · ≥99% purity · per-batch CoA. For laboratory research use only.