BPC-157 and TB-500: The Healing Peptides
This article is for educational purposes only. The compounds discussed are classified as research chemicals. They are not approved by the FDA for human consumption and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. References to scientific studies are presented in a research context only. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as medical advice or as encouragement for personal use.
My Introduction to Peptides Began in 2018
I incurred a torn medial cruciate ligament in my left knee during a ballet class, and I wanted to heal as quickly as possible. I contacted a friend and mentor, Jay Campbell, and he suggested ordering some BPC-157 and TB500.
At the time my peptide knowledge was zero. I had heard the word and vaguely knew peptides were small molecules, but that was the extent of my knowledge.
I trusted Jay though, and I got online and familiarized myself with the two peptides. When they arrived, I reconstituted, injected them on the suggested protocol schedule, and was diligent in my rehab.
The injury, which a doctor had told me would likely take 8 weeks to fully heal, resolved itself completely in 4 weeks. While I was initially skeptical, it was unreasonable to deny they had had a positive effect.
THEY WORKED.
But what had I actually injected myself with. What do the names actually mean? What was the mechanism?
Let's start with the basics and create context.
What TYPE of peptides are BPC-157 and TB-500.
The Different Types of Peptide
As we discussed in the history of peptides article, peptides come in various sizes, from 2 amino acids all the way to 50.
Peptides are categorized not only by size, but also type. Some peptides are naturally occurring within the body, some are microbial weapons, and some like BPC-157 and TB-500 are lab-built synthetic fragments of larger peptides. To give some examples
Ribosomal peptides: These are the body’s own workhorses, created together in cells. Think insulin regulating blood sugar or oxytocin shaping social bonds.1
Non-ribosomal peptides: Microbial inventions at its best. Bacteria and fungi craft them as chemical weapons, and humans borrowed some of the strongest, like vancomycin, to fight infections.2
Synthetic fragments: Lab-engineered pieces of larger proteins, built to test biological ideas rather than to function as medicines.3
BPC-157 and TB-500 sit firmly in this last category. They are not natural hormones or microbial antibiotics but fragments scientists carved out to probe biology’s finer details. It is the same approach biochemists have used for decades, pulling proteins apart piece by piece, like dismantling a watch to see how each cog works. The risk is that, outside of the whole, a cog may no longer tell the time. How these synthetic fragments interact within their larger biological framework is never fully known. Ironically its the biohacking world that inadvertently does those experiments.
So we know that BPC-157 and TB-500 are both synthetic fragments, but there is more to the story of course. What is their Origin?
Let's go in alphabetical order.
The History of BPC-157
BPC-157 was discovered in 1992 by Dr. Predrag Sikiric, a professor at the University of Zagreb in Croatia.4 Working with his research team, his lab isolated a fragment from a protein found in gastric juice. Its parent protein had been nicknamed the Body Protection Compound because it seemed to guard the stomach lining.5
The particular fragment was 15 amino acids long, and it was given a code name in reference to this: BPC-157, the 15-amino acid slice of the Body Protection Compound.
What does BPC-157 DO?
It works a number of different ways. One of the first effects established was it increases the expression of growth hormones and growth factors (such as VEGF - vascular endothelial growth factor), which are critical for tissue regeneration and cell proliferation.
This has the effect of promoting angiogeneisis, aka new blood vessel formation, by boosting VEGF, fibroblast growth factor, and related pathways, helping deliver nutrients and oxygen to damaged tissues for rapid healing. At the same time, it also modulates nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, which relaxes blood vessels, increases blood flow to injured areas, and regulates inflammation.
Another pro healing effect is activating FAK (focal adhesion kinase) and paxillin pathways in tendon and muscle cells, increasing cell migration, adhesion, and survival, this is also essential for rebuilding and repairing tissues.
On top of this, it also suppresses proinflammatory molecules (like COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6) and decreases oxidative enzymes, leading to less swelling, pain, and tissue breakdown.
This all synergizes into BPC-157 have a positive influencing effect on collagen fragments and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), supporting bone, cartilage, and connective tissue formation and remodeling.
Additionally, it can also affects serotonin and dopamine signaling, which may help protect nerves and improve central nervous system repair.
WOW, thats A LOT, and there is scientific research on this??
YES.
The initial BPC-157 research was all in rodents, with the original experiments looking at its cytoprotective effects. Over 20 years its demonstrated remarkable properties across dozens of experiments, and proved to be one of the most promising healing agents ever discovered.
Cytoprotection and Organoprotection: BPC 157 maintains gastric integrity, protects against alcohol and NSAID-induced damage, and shows beneficial effects on skin, liver, pancreas, heart, and brain.
Vascular Effects: Prevents and reverses vascular thrombosis, promotes recruitment of blood vessels after injury or obstruction, and supports rapid restoration of blood flow after vessel damage.6
Healing of Intestinal Anastomoses and Fistulas: Successfully heals various types of gastrointestinal surgical reconnections (anastomoses) and fistulas in animal models, even under complicated conditions like short bowel syndrome or major vessel occlusion.7
Experimental and Clinical Trials: BPC 157 has been tested in trials for ulcerative colitis and is under study for multiple sclerosis, with promising therapeutic effects in experimental models.8
Interaction With Biological Systems: Modifies nitric oxide and prostaglandin systems, interacts with dopamine pathways, and modulates stress/coping and inflammatory responses.9
Heals tendons and connective tissue: BPC 157 has consistently accelerated the healing of injured tendons (such as the Achilles tendon in rats) by promoting the migration, survival, and function of tendon fibroblasts, as well as enhancing growth hormone receptor expression10
Currently BPC-157 is being researched in clinical trials on humans, BUT some semi bad news…
the probability of it ever reaching the market as a prescription drug is very low
BPC-157 is easy to synthesize, and for practical purposes impossible to patent, as it can also easily be modified by adding an extra ester group. There is no financial incentive for any major drug company to spend 10 years attempting to bring it to market when it is widely available as a research chemical. Said simple, there's no profit to be made.
At the same time, BPC-157 has taken off enormously in the fitness, bodybuilding, and pro sports world. It is extremely stable and non-toxic (no lethal dose is defined, if it exists at all) and with its broad spectrum of beneficial effects, its likely to continue existing in the limbo of being a research chemical that people happen to individually experiment with.
That is BPC-157, now lets move on to TB500
TB-500 stands for…Not what you might think
The “TB” comes straight from thymosin beta, but the “500” has nothing to do with biology. It was a catalog number, a label dreamed up to mark the lab-made fragment as distinct from the full protein when it started circulating in equine medicine and peptide supply chains. Its basically a brand/formulation name at this point.
Thymosin beta-4 itself was discovered and researched in the 1960s and 70s by Allan Goldstein and Abraham White, back when the thymus was still something of a mystery organ.11 Thymosin beta-4 has been studied extensively thanks to Goldstein, who helped pioneer thymosin research.13 Tβ4 is most famous for binding to actin, the scaffolding protein inside cells that dictates how they move.
Abbreviated as Tβ4, it is a naturally occurring peptide composed of 43 amino acids that is widely distributed throughout all mammalian tissues, except red blood cells.
Its primary function is as an “actin-sequestering molecule”, meaning it helps regulate the structural protein called actins in cells. As actin is widely used in practically all bodily tissues, this means Tβ4 plays an essential role in tissue repair, development, and maintenance by promoting cell proliferation, survival, migration, angiogenesis (blood vessel formation), and reducing inflammation and fibrosis.12
Its helpful to think of it as an “organizing peptide”. Actin is a protein building block, and Tβ4 is the supervisor and architect that makes sure it's used properly.
Tβ4 has been shown in scientific studies to accelerate wound healing, protect against cell death, and aid in cardiac, vascular, neurological, and dermal regeneration.
TB-500 then is a lab-synthesized slice of thymosin beta-4.. By trimming thymosin beta-4 down, researchers tested whether the smaller fragment could influence wound healing, reduce inflammation, or promote regeneration in animal models.13
The benefits of TB-500 specifically are murky, as the real clinical research has been on Tβ4, but TB-500 is what is most commonly used in biohacking, fitness, and athletics world.
Going off of the extensive anecdotal but still self reported evidence, TB-500 speeds up tissue healing, joint healing, connective tissue healing, improves skin health, and works synergistically with BPC-157. Hence their popularity as the healing stack.
Where the Official Research Stands Today
Neither BPC-157 nor TB-500 has ever earned FDA approval. No completed stage 2 or 3 human trials exist. In 2023, the FDA formally classified BPC-157 as a Category 2 bulk drug substance, flagging “significant safety concerns” and prohibiting it from pharmaceutical compounding.
Around the same time, the World Anti-Doping Agency, UFC, and major U.S. sports leagues placed BPC-157 on their banned lists. TB-500, while less explicitly named, is often swept into the same prohibitions as thymosin-based peptides.
Ask a biohacker, ask why they were banned and you will be told it is because they WORK.
As a popular doctor who sticks to mainstream talking points, you'll be told they are not “safe” to be experimenting with.
Who you choose to listen to is up to you.
If you are interested in learning more about protocols and application, I would encourage you to download the Broscience Guide to Peptides, and join my Biohacking community.
And on the chance you are a credentialed scientist curious about pursuing this type of research and want to ensure everything is of highest purity, I would recommend you source from Elite Research USA. You can use affiliate code 10AJAC for 10% off when making your purchase.
But How are they Used?
This question is understandable. For the sake of legality, I must again preface, these are research chemicals and any off label use by individuals is in the grey zone.
The most proven healing stack in the biohacker community and one I have personal experience with is as follow
