What is proven, what is marketing, what is risky? An honest look at weight-loss injections, "healing peptides" and the like – and a community where we share experiences.
No salesNo sourcesTransparent evidenceTracker without an accountNo substitute for medical advice
Basics
What are peptides, anyway?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids – "mini proteins", so to speak. Many of them are messengers that the body produces itself. Medications specifically mimic or amplify these signals.
Structure
2 to about 50 amino acids. Longer chains are called proteins. Insulin (51 amino acids) sits right on the boundary.
How they work
Peptides bind to receptors and trigger signals – e.g. satiety (GLP-1), insulin release or growth hormone release.
Why are they usually injected?
Peptides are largely digested in the stomach. That is why most are given subcutaneously – but there are exceptions (e.g. oral semaglutide).
Two worlds you shouldn't confuse
Approved medications
Large clinical trials with thousands of participants, controlled manufacturing, package leaflet, doctor's prescription. Side effects are known and documented.
"Research peptides"
Mostly only animal or cell studies. Sold as "not for human use" – without quality control for purity, dose or sterility. You bear the risk alone.
Overview
Peptides checked
For each peptide: status, evidence and the most important risks. Deliberately without dosing information – that belongs with your doctor or in the package leaflet.
Type 2 diabetes, obesity or overweight with comorbidities. Prescription only.
Evidence
Very high (SURPASS, SURMOUNT)
Watch out for
Nausea, constipation, reflux, especially when the dose is increased. Avoid muscle loss: protein + strength training. Keep an eye on the gallbladder and pancreas.
Type 2 diabetes, weight management; cardiovascular benefit shown in trials. Prescription only.
Evidence
Very high (STEP, SELECT)
Watch out for
Gastrointestinal complaints, preserving muscle. The BfArM (German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) has repeatedly warned about counterfeit pens – only obtain them from a pharmacy.
No robust human studies on efficacy or long-term safety. Regulatory situation in the USA is changing (2026), but not approved. Banned in sport (WADA S0).
As of September 2026. Regulatory situations change – we update the overview regularly.
Safety
What you should watch out for
Most problems are not caused by the peptide itself, but by poor quality, false expectations or a lack of medical supervision.
Good signs
Doctor's prescription and supervision, including blood tests
Obtained from a pharmacy with batch number and securPharm code
Other medications taken into account (e.g. blood pressure medication, diabetes medication)
Realistic expectations – diet, protein and exercise remain the foundation
Warning signs
"Research only / not for human use" on the label
Sold via Telegram, Instagram or without a prescription
Before/after promises and "no side effects"
Powder to mix yourself without proof of purity from independent labs
Legal framework (in short): In Germany, tirzepatide and semaglutide are prescription-only. Unapproved peptides may not be sold as medicines. For competitive athletes, many of them count as doping. This is not legal advice.
Guides
Living with the weight-loss injection
Honest answers to the questions that actually come up in everyday life.
Save mixing recipes, keep track of vials with shelf life and remaining amount, log doses and injection sites. The tracker suggests the site that has gone unused the longest.
Your data never leave your device – no login, no server, no cloud
Add it to your home screen as an app – works offline too
The most common source of error is converting: mg, mL, units, clicks. The calculator shows you where on the U-100 syringe, the pen or the nasal spray the amount you were prescribed lies. With warnings if something doesn't add up.
Honest exchange among people who deal with peptides: everyday tips against side effects, nutrition & protein, tracking, experiences – and questions you don't dare ask your doctor. (The community is German-speaking.)
Our rules
Share experiences – label them as experience, not as a recommendation
Be respectful – no body shaming, no promises of cures
Name your sources when you cite studies
No selling, no sources, no advertising
No dosing instructions for unapproved substances
No diagnoses – if you have symptoms, see a doctor
Anyone who breaks the rules is removed without discussion. That protects everyone.
Join now
The community is open. One click and you're in the Peptid-Klartext WhatsApp community.
By joining, you accept the rules on the left. Free, and you can leave at any time.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you sell peptides or recommend shops?
No. We don't sell anything, don't link to shops and don't take money from manufacturers. References to sources are deleted in the group too.
Why are there no doses here?
For approved medications, your doctor determines the dose. For unapproved peptides there are no established doses – a number on the internet would suggest a certainty that doesn't exist.
Is my phone number visible in the group?
We use a WhatsApp community. In the announcement group, other members cannot see your number. In groups where you post, it is visible to the other members. So think about which health information you share.
Who is behind Peptid-Klartext?
A private project by people who have their own experience with peptide therapies. We are not doctors – that's why we put studies into context instead of recommending treatments.
How up to date is the information?
The overview is reviewed regularly. The date is shown below the peptide overview. We are happy to receive reports of errors by email.