A peptide is a short chain of 2 to 50 amino acids — the same building blocks that make up proteins. Because peptides are smaller than full proteins, they are often more bioavailable, act with greater target specificity, and interact directly with cellular receptors. The body already produces hundreds of naturally occurring peptides that regulate everything from hunger and sleep to immune response and tissue repair.

How Peptide Therapy Works

Peptides work by binding to specific receptors on cell surfaces and triggering a downstream signaling cascade. Growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs) bind to pituitary receptors and stimulate GH secretion. Recovery peptides like BPC-157 may support angiogenesis and tissue repair pathways. Because peptide signaling is receptor-specific, well-designed protocols can produce targeted effects with minimal systemic disruption.

Common Applications of Peptide Therapy

Common applications include metabolic support and weight management (GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide), growth hormone optimization (CJC-1295, ipamorelin, tesamorelin), tissue recovery and healing (BPC-157, TB-500), immune support and anti-aging (thymosin alpha-1, epithalon), and cognitive function (semax, selank).

Is Peptide Therapy Right for You?

Peptide therapy may be appropriate for adults seeking to optimize metabolic health, recovery, longevity, or cognitive performance and who are willing to engage in physician-supervised protocols. A comprehensive intake assessment is the best way to determine suitability based on baseline biomarkers, health status, and goals.

Medically reviewed by Romy Fontoura, MD

What Is Peptide Therapy? A Physician's Guide to Getting Started | Auryx

A physician's guide to peptide therapy — what peptides are, how they work, common applications, and what to expect from your first protocol. Written by Romy Fontoura, MD.

About this Auryx page

Auryx is an MD-led peptide therapy clinic that serves eligible patients nationwide via telemedicine. Founded and led by Romy Fontoura, MD, the practice designs physician-supervised protocols and fulfills approved compounds through regulated United States compounding pharmacies. Public pages are research and education. They do not replace personalized advice from a licensed clinician and they do not give dosing instructions.

For the catalog see shop. For compound encyclopedic notes see Learn. For physician-authored essays see the Journal. For the clinical process see our method. For leadership and review standards see about.

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