Andrew Huberman is a renowned neuroscientist and professor of neurobiology at Stanford University. Known for his extensive research on brain performance, he also has a strong interest in biohacking techniques that can enhance wellness and performance.
One area that has recently caught Huberman’s attention is the use of peptides for health and fitness goals.
In this article we’ll take a look at the peptides Huberman has personally used:
- Sermorelin – for increasing human growth hormone (hGH) release and improving sleep quality
- BPC-157 – to treat lower back pain from a herniated disc
And others he’s talked about with podcast guests:
- Ipamorelin, CJC-1295 & Tesameralin – growth hormone releasing peptides
- Ibutamoren (MK-677) – growth hormone-releasing peptide
What Are Peptides & Why So Popular?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids naturally occurring in the body that play many important roles1Peptide synthesis in vivo | Friedberg et al. | 1947 | Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Certain peptides have gained popularity for their potential benefits related to muscle building2Mechano Growth Factor E peptide (MGF-E), derived from an isoform of IGF-1, activates human muscle progenitor cells and induces an increase in their fusion potential at different ages | Kandalla et al. | 2011 | Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, fat loss3Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone | Ng et al. | 2000 | Hormone Research, injury recovery4Evaluation of the effects of topical tripeptide-copper complex and zinc oxide on open-wound healing in rabbits | Cangul et al. | 2006 | Veterinary Dermatology, and anti-aging5Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results | Schagen | 2017 | Cosmetics . Huberman has once said: “Every Hollywood star out there is on peptides.”
Some peptides act as hormones that help regulate bodily processes like growth, appetite, reproduction, inflammation and more6Therapeutic peptides: current applications and future directions | Wang et al. | 2022 | Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy.
Other peptides work as chemical messengers between cells, transmitting signals throughout the body7 Chemical messengers: a view from the gut | Grossman | 1979 | Federation Proceedings.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in supplementing with specific peptides like sermorelin, ipamorelin, BPC-157, and others.
Andrew Huberman explains that the peptide hype ties in with a larger societal trend towards biohacking – using science and technology to “hack” the human body and mind for enhanced performance.
For driven individuals, peptides represent a tantalizing option between natural supplements and anabolic steroids.
But for others – mainly people who are into bodybuilding – peptides are viewed purely as a means to accelerate muscle growth, speed up recovery and burn fat.
So, it’s important to note that sports organizations like USADA prohibit peptide use by competitive athletes.
Anyhow, let’s look at which peptides piqued Huberman’s curiosity enough to experiment with them himself.
Peptides Huberman Has Experimented With
Sermorelin
Sermorelin is a growth hormone-releasing peptide that stimulates the pituitary gland to produce more human growth hormone (hGH)8 Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males | Lipshultz et al. | 2020 | Translational Andrology and Urology. Huberman openly shares that he uses Sermorelin himself 3-5 nights a week in this 2023 podcast.
^ Clip from this interview
He explains that taking Sermorelin before bed helped him fall into a deeper, more restorative sleep.
For Huberman, this peptide supplement has subjectively improved his sleep quality and left him feeling more recovered from exercise.
However, Huberman, in his 2023 podcast with Dr. Kyle, notes the deep sleep induced by sermorelin is often more truncated and intense – filled with vivid dreams.
And while he reported accelerated workout recovery from Sermorelin, Huberman says he did not experience extra fat loss or muscle growth to a noticeable degree.
BPC-157
BPC-157 is a peptide fragment of a protein found in gastric juice. Although research is still limited, studies suggest BPC-157 may help heal injured or damaged tissues throughout the body9Gastric Pentadecapeptide Body Protection Compound BPC 157 and Its Role in Accelerating Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Healing | Wilson et al. | 2019 | Cell and Tissue Research10Peptide Therapy with Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in Traumatic Nerve Injury | Sikiric et al. | 2010 | Regulatory Peptides.
Huberman describes his own experience using BPC-157 to successfully treat lower back pain from a herniated disc.
He says within 2 injections of BPC-157, his persistent back pain was completely resolved – improved to a degree that other therapies like massage, heat, and electrical stimulation had failed to achieve.
^ Audio clip from this interview
Most peptides don’t work when they’re taken orally. They get rapidly destroyed by stomach acid. They have to be administered by injection or intranasally.
However, since BPC-157 is found in gastric juice – it’s an exception to this phenomenon.
BPC-157 is one of the few peptides that can be taken orally as well.
Peptides Discussed By Huberman & Guests
Beyond his personal experiments, Huberman has also discussed various peptides and their effects with guests on his podcast. Here are the ones that have come up:
Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin belongs to a class of peptides called growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs)11Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue | Raun et al. | 1998 | European Journal of Endocrinology. As their name suggests, GHRPs stimulate the body’s natural growth hormone production12Growth hormone-releasing peptides: clinical and basic aspects | Argente et al. | 1996 | Hormone Research.
Huberman’s guest Dr. Kyle Gillett explains that ipamorelin works by activating ghrelin receptors, similar to the hunger hormone ghrelin.
CJC-1295 & Tesameralin
Dr. Gillett and Huberman note that CJC-1295 and Tesamorelin are other GHRH-like peptides similar to ipamorelin in their effects and mechanism.
Like ipamorelin, CJC-1295 and Tesameralin also increase growth hormone and IGF-1 production however the mechanism is slightly different.
Early research suggests CJC-1295 may be longer-acting than other GHRH peptides, providing a more sustained growth hormone boost per dose13Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults | Teichman et al. | 2006 | Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
However, Huberman and Dr. Gillett agree more studies are needed to confirm its effects and safety in humans.
Ibutamoren (MK-677)
Ibutamoren, also known as MK-677, is classified as a growth hormone secretagogue that stimulates ghrelin receptors to prompt GH release.
One dose of ibutamoren can increase growth hormone levels for many hours due to its extended half-life and persistence in the body14Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males | Lipshultz et al. | 2020 | Translational Andrology and Urology (Contemporary Issues and Controversies in Men’s Health).
However, Huberman notes that some users experience increased hunger and blood glucose from ibutamoren’s ghrelin-like effects.
Legal Status & Safe Use of Peptides in the USA
While interest in peptides is surging, Huberman cautions that their legal status is not always clear cut.
As of now, no peptide supplements have been approved by the FDA.
He explains that legitimate and safe access currently requires a valid prescription written by a licensed healthcare practitioner.
Huberman warns that buying peptides online without a prescription can be risky.
He highlights concerns about product quality, purity, sterility and accurate dosing – especially from unregulated sources.
Huberman also stresses the need for medical supervision given the potency of many peptides and potential side effects. Thus, for those who plan to use peptides, he strongly advises finding a trustworthy anti-aging or functional medicine doctor to work with.
Though results vary individually, he believes prescribed peptides can offer a reasonably safe alternative between natural supplements and anabolic steroids when used responsibly under medical guidance.
It’s also important to keep in mind that Huberman stresses that peptides should only be considered after optimizing lifestyle, nutrition, sleep, and exercise, as those foundations provide greater long-term health benefits.
Further Reading
If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy:
- Andrew Huberman’s Supplements – covering the different supplements Andrew has discussed on his podcast.
- Andrew Huberman’s Diet – What he eats and when – the formula that works for him.
- Andrew Huberman’s Book Recommendations – the top books Andrew has read, enjoyed and recommends.
- Bryan Johnson’s Supplement List – Why He Takes All 40 Daily (over 100 pills!)
References
- 1Peptide synthesis in vivo | Friedberg et al. | 1947 | Journal of Biological Chemistry
- 2Mechano Growth Factor E peptide (MGF-E), derived from an isoform of IGF-1, activates human muscle progenitor cells and induces an increase in their fusion potential at different ages | Kandalla et al. | 2011 | Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
- 3Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone | Ng et al. | 2000 | Hormone Research
- 4Evaluation of the effects of topical tripeptide-copper complex and zinc oxide on open-wound healing in rabbits | Cangul et al. | 2006 | Veterinary Dermatology
- 5Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results | Schagen | 2017 | Cosmetics
- 6Therapeutic peptides: current applications and future directions | Wang et al. | 2022 | Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
- 7Chemical messengers: a view from the gut | Grossman | 1979 | Federation Proceedings
- 8Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males | Lipshultz et al. | 2020 | Translational Andrology and Urology
- 9Gastric Pentadecapeptide Body Protection Compound BPC 157 and Its Role in Accelerating Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Healing | Wilson et al. | 2019 | Cell and Tissue Research
- 10Peptide Therapy with Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in Traumatic Nerve Injury | Sikiric et al. | 2010 | Regulatory Peptides
- 11Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue | Raun et al. | 1998 | European Journal of Endocrinology
- 12Growth hormone-releasing peptides: clinical and basic aspects | Argente et al. | 1996 | Hormone Research
- 13Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults | Teichman et al. | 2006 | Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
- 14Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males | Lipshultz et al. | 2020 | Translational Andrology and Urology (Contemporary Issues and Controversies in Men’s Health)
