Organizational tool only · For adults 18+ · Not medical advice · Always confirm decisions with a licensed clinician
EDUCATIONAL REFERENCE ONLY — Everything on this page is general background information for research and educational purposes (RUO). No dosing, no protocols, and no medical advice are provided. Always consult a licensed clinician.
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Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. They occur naturally in the body, and researchers study synthetic versions for many of the same biological processes. These notes explain the terms used across Peptide Plug. They are general background, not dosing advice. For vial math, use the Reconstitution Calculator; for regulatory notes, visit the Research Library.
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What are peptides?
Short chains of amino acids (typically 2–50) that act as signaling molecules for things like tissue repair, metabolism, and immune function.
Is this medical advice?
No. Everything on this page is for educational and research purposes only (RUO). Always consult a physician before making decisions about your health.
How do I use this page?
Expand a question below for a plain-English answer, or jump to a compound's full entry in the Research Library.
Peptide Basics
A short glossary of the terms used throughout the site. Select a question to read more.
What does "reconstitution" mean?
Many research peptides ship as a freeze-dried (lyophilized) powder in a sealed vial. Reconstitution is the process of adding a liquid — usually bacteriostatic water — to that powder to dissolve it into a liquid solution at a known concentration, so it can be measured and drawn accurately.
What is bacteriostatic (BAC) water, and why is it used?
Bacteriostatic water is sterile water with a small amount of benzyl alcohol added, which inhibits bacterial growth so a multi-use vial stays viable for longer once it's been opened, versus plain sterile water. It's the liquid most commonly used to reconstitute lyophilized peptides.
What's the difference between mg and mcg?
A milligram (mg) is 1,000 micrograms (mcg) — mcg is one-thousandth the size of a mg. Vial sizes are almost always labeled in mg, while individual dose amounts are often discussed in mcg, so keeping the two straight (and double-checking your decimal point) matters a lot in this math.
What does "concentration" mean once a vial is mixed?
Concentration is how much peptide is present per unit of liquid after reconstitution — usually expressed as mg/mL or mcg/mL. It's calculated as the total peptide in the vial divided by however much liquid you added, and it's the number that turns a target dose into an actual draw volume.
What is a "blend," and how is dosing different?
A blend is two or more compounds combined into a single vial (for example, a BPC-157/TB-500 blend). Because more than one compound shares the same liquid, the concentration of each individual compound is lower than if it were reconstituted alone — the math needs to account for each compound's share of the total mg in the vial.
What does "half-life" mean?
Half-life is the time it takes for half of a substance to be cleared from the body. It's a general pharmacological concept researchers use to think about how often a compound might need to be dosed to maintain a given effect — it varies by compound and isn't the same thing as how long an effect "lasts."
What does RUO ("Research Use Only") mean?
RUO is a labeling designation meaning a substance is sold and intended strictly for laboratory research — not for human or animal consumption, and not evaluated by regulators for that use. Most of the compounds discussed on this site are sold under RUO labeling.
What's the difference between "FDA-approved," "investigational," and "unapproved" in the Research Library?
FDA-approved means the compound has an approved drug application for a specific labeled use (often a narrow one — approval for one use doesn't cover other uses). Investigational means it's currently in the clinical-trial process and not yet approved. Unapproved means it has no FDA-approved drug application at all. Regulatory status can change, so always verify current status directly with the FDA or a licensed pharmacist.
Reconstitution Calculator Guides
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Peptide Library
Click a compound below for its full regulatory-status entry, or browse the complete library.