10 peptides researched for weight loss.
Weight loss peptides work through several mechanisms. suppressing appetite, improving insulin sensitivity, enhancing fat oxidation, and slowing gastric emptying. The most well-researched are GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide, which have FDA approval and extensive clinical trial data. Other peptides in this category, like AOD-9604, target fat metabolism more directly but have less clinical evidence.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are the clear leaders with the strongest evidence, but they differ in mechanism. semaglutide targets GLP-1 receptors while tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist, typically producing greater weight loss. Retatrutide adds a third target (glucagon receptor) and is showing even more dramatic results in trials. Liraglutide is an older GLP-1 agonist with more modest effects. AOD-9604 is a growth hormone fragment that targets fat cells directly but lacks human trial data for weight loss.