Trust framework
Evidence tiers — how we rate every entry
Every peptide on Pepdex carries an evidence tier. This is how we keep you out of trouble: we tell you exactly what the data says, and exactly what it does NOT say. Read this once, then read every entry through it.
Evidence tiers describe the research base behind a compound. They do not endorse use or replace medical advice. Even Strong-evidence drugs come with side effects and require provider oversight.
Strong evidence13 entries
Human clinical trial data from well-designed, peer-reviewed studies. Multiple RCTs with significant sample sizes.
What this means
- ✓Published human clinical trials exist
- ✓Results have been peer-reviewed
- ✓Multiple studies support the findings
- ✓Effects observed in controlled settings
- ✓Safety profile established in humans
What this does NOT mean
- ✕Guaranteed to work for everyone
- ✕Free of side effects or risks
- ✕Appropriate for all conditions
- ✕Superior to other treatments
- ✕Endorsed for off-label use
Strong entries in the catalog
№ 004MT-1 (Melanotan I)№ 008Tirzepatide№ 009Semaglutide№ 012PT-141 (Bremelanotide)№ 013Tesamorelin№ 021HGH (Somatropin)№ 033Oxytocin№ 042Teriparatide№ 058Liraglutide (Saxenda / Victoza)№ 059Octreotide (Sandostatin)№ 060Setmelanotide (Imcivree)№ 061Pramlintide (Symlin)№ 062Teduglutide (Gattex / Revestive)
Moderate evidence15 entries
Phase 2 or Phase 3 human data, or approved in major regulatory jurisdictions outside the US. Effects are reasonably well-mapped.
What this means
- ✓Mid-stage human trials exist
- ✓Approval in some major jurisdictions (EU, China, Japan, etc.)
- ✓Mechanism is well-characterized
- ✓Side effect profile is reasonably understood
- ✓Dosing ranges have human data behind them
What this does NOT mean
- ✕FDA approved in the US
- ✕Long-term human safety fully studied
- ✕Effects guaranteed to replicate the trial population
- ✕Universal recommendation
- ✕Standard of care
Moderate entries in the catalog
№ 003Retatrutide№ 011MK-677 (Ibutamoren)№ 014Sermorelin№ 022Cagrilintide№ 023Survodutide№ 029Thymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1)№ 032Kisspeptin-10№ 034Mazdutide№ 035SS-31 (Elamipretide / MTP-131)№ 040ARA-290 (Cibinetide)№ 047Cerebrolysin№ 057VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)№ 063Petrelintide№ 064Pemvidutide№ 065Amycretin
Limited evidence20 entries
Some human evidence — often early-phase or single-trial. Strong animal data may exist. Use with caution.
What this means
- ✓Some human pilot data exists
- ✓Strong animal-model evidence may be present
- ✓Mechanism plausible based on related compounds
- ✓Anecdotal user reports align with mechanism
What this does NOT mean
- ✕Safe for long-term human use
- ✕Effects established
- ✕Side effect profile fully mapped
- ✕Comparable to FDA-approved alternatives
- ✕Recommended without provider oversight
Limited entries in the catalog
№ 001BPC-157№ 002TB-500№ 005GHK-Cu№ 006Ipamorelin№ 007CJC-1295 (no DAC)№ 010MT-2 (Melanotan II)№ 016AOD-9604№ 020MOTS-c№ 024IGF-1 LR3№ 025Hexarelin№ 027HGH Fragment 176-191№ 031GHRP-2 / GHRP-6№ 036LL-37№ 038Humanin№ 039IGF-1 DES№ 044ACE-031 (ACVR2B-Fc)№ 050FOXO4-DRI№ 051MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)№ 054PEG-MGF№ 056SNAP-8 (Acetyl Octapeptide-3)
Anecdotal evidence17 entries
Predominantly user / community reports. Little or no large clinical-trial data. Treat as experimental.
What this means
- ✓User reports of effects exist
- ✓May have animal-model or in-vitro data
- ✓Mechanism may be theoretical
- ✓Compound is real and characterized chemically
What this does NOT mean
- ✕Effects validated in humans
- ✕Safety established
- ✕Dose ranges are clinically supported
- ✕Recommended for any indication
- ✕Worth running long cycles on
Why this exists: most peptide sites bury the evidence question. We put it in your face on every entry. If the data is thin, we say so. If it's strong, we cite it. No spin in either direction.