"Peptides" is a huge umbrella. The useful way to make sense of it is by what each one does — here are the main types and what they're researched for.
Peptides are most usefully grouped by function: metabolic/GLP-1 peptides (appetite, body composition), growth-hormone secretagogues (lean mass, recovery), healing/repair peptides (tissue and injury), cognitive peptides (focus, mood, sleep), and cosmetic peptides (skin). Each targets a specific pathway, which is why the right type depends entirely on your goal.
Last updated: July 2026 · For research use only · Not medical advice
| Type | Researched for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Metabolic / GLP-1 | Appetite & body composition | Retatrutide → |
| Healing / repair | Tissue repair & recovery | BPC-157 + TB-500 → |
| Growth-hormone secretagogues | Lean mass & recovery | Ipamorelin → |
| Cognitive / sleep | Focus, mood & rest | Semax → |
| Cosmetic / skin | Skin health & anti-aging | GHK-Cu → |
| Longevity | Cellular aging & repair | NAD+ → |
Novapep groups its full range into 12 categories — browse them all in the catalog.
Beyond function, you'll see peptides described by:
Because each type targets a different pathway, the starting question isn't "which peptide is best?" but "what's my goal?" Fat loss points to the metabolic class; recovery to repair peptides; skin to cosmetic peptides, and so on.
Rather than guessing, Novapep matches the type to your goal and recent medical exams and recommends only what fits. If you're new, start with what peptides are and how they work.
See every peptide organised by goal, or find the type that fits you with a personalised protocol.
The most useful grouping is by function: metabolic/GLP-1, healing/repair, growth-hormone secretagogues, cognitive/sleep, cosmetic/skin, and longevity peptides. Each targets a specific pathway.
Commonly by function (what they're researched for), by structure (e.g. GHRPs vs GHRH analogues), or by origin (natural sequences vs synthetic analogues).
The metabolic / GLP-1 class (e.g. semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide) has the strongest evidence for appetite regulation and body composition. See our GLP-1 comparison for the detail.
Healing/repair peptides such as BPC-157 and TB-500 are the ones most researched for tissue repair and recovery.
Start from your goal, not a compound. Match the goal to the functional type, verify product quality, and ideally work from your own bloodwork with clinical guidance rather than a generic stack.
This page is educational and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. Some peptides discussed may be prescription-only or investigational in their approved contexts. All products supplied by Novapep are lab-tested and intended for research use only, not for human or veterinary consumption. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before considering any compound.
Share your medical exams and we'll match the right type to your goals.