Learn
Guides and explainers that help you judge claims about peptides for yourself.
- What are peptides?Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the same building blocks that proteins are made of. The body makes many peptides itself, and more than 80 are approved as medicines. Here we explain what peptides are, and how approved medicines differ from substances still being researched.
- How to read a studyStudies come in many forms, from the laboratory to large studies in humans. Here are six questions that help you understand what a study about peptides tells you.
- GLP-1, GIP and glucagon explainedGLP-1, GIP and glucagon are hormones the body makes itself. They are the basis for the new weight loss injections. Semaglutide acts on GLP-1, tirzepatide on GLP-1 and GIP, and retatrutide on all three. Here is what the hormones do.
- GlossaryWords and abbreviations you meet when reading about peptides, studies and rules, explained briefly and simply. The list is sorted by theme: the substances, the studies and the rules.
How to get the most out of Learn
The Learn pages are for anyone who wants to understand peptides from the ground up. They build on each other, so it helps to read them in order, but each page also works on its own. Every page takes just a few minutes, and you need no background in biology or medicine.
What you learn in the four steps
1. What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the same building blocks that proteins are made of. The body makes many of them itself and uses them as signals, for example for hunger, blood sugar and tissue repair. Here you learn how they work, and why some have become important medicines. Read What are peptides?
2. How to read a study
When you know what kind of study a result comes from, you understand what it means. An animal study shows what may be possible, while a large controlled study in humans shows what happens in most people. Here you learn to tell the difference, and what words like placebo and randomised mean. Read How to read a study
3. GLP-1, GIP and glucagon explained
The new weight-loss medicines mimic hormones the gut makes after a meal. Here you see how one, two or three hormones give different medicines, and why they have drawn so much attention. Read GLP-1, GIP and glucagon explained
4. Glossary
The glossary explains the technical terms you meet on the peptide pages, from amino acid to meta-analysis, in short and simple words. Go to the glossary
When you have finished the guide
You are then ready for the peptide pages. There you see what each substance is, what the research has found, and how far the research has come. To go deeper, you will find comparisons and in-depth articles under Articles.
Questions and answers
Where should I start?
Start with “What are peptides?”. It gives you the basis for the rest of the pages.
Do I need a background in biology or medicine?
No. The pages are written for everyone, and technical terms are explained the first time they are used.
Do I have to read everything at once?
No. You can take one page at a time, and your browser remembers your progress for next time.
Where does the information come from?
From published studies and public authorities. The sources are listed at the bottom of each page, and all of them are collected in the source library.