Human evidence
Research in people can be informative, but check the condition studied, the exact medicine, how the trial was designed and whether the results apply to you.
Human evidence does not validate an unverified product.Research & podcasts
A podcast can introduce a new idea. A study helps you check it. Here’s how to explore both without getting lost in the jargon.
Types of evidence
You’ll see these throughout the guide. They describe the available research, not a safety rating or product endorsement.
Early research
Laboratory, animal and small exploratory studies can reveal interesting biology. They often cannot tell us whether a treatment works or is safe in people.
A promising mechanism is not a proven health outcome.Identity unclear
Some codes and blend names do not identify a substance reliably. Without the ingredient and formulation, it is not possible to match a product to research.
Start by resolving what the label actually refers to.How to read a study
- Who was studied?
People, animals or cells in a laboratory? Which health condition and age group?
- What was actually tested?
The exact compound, formulation and regulated product matter. A similar name is not enough.
- What was measured?
A change in a blood marker is not automatically a meaningful improvement in health.
- What are the limitations?
Look for comparison groups, side effects, follow-up time, conflicts of interest and independent replication.
Selected podcast episodes
Pick an episode and watch it here. We’ve added a short introduction to help you choose, plus a link to the full episode notes and transcript.
Huberman Lab · 7 October 2024
Peptide & Hormone Therapies with Dr Craig Koniver
Andrew Huberman and Dr Craig Koniver talk through peptides, hormone therapies and the interest in them for health and performance. The conversation covers GLP-1 medicines, BPC-157 and growth-hormone-related peptides, along with sourcing and safety. Use it to get familiar with the conversation, then check the studies in our guides before drawing conclusions.
Play loads the YouTube player. Podcast discussion is context, not medical advice.
Huberman Lab · 17 June 2024
Hunger & Weight-Loss Medicines with Dr Zachary Knight
Why do we feel hungry, and what makes us feel full? Neuroscientist Dr Zachary Knight explains how the brain controls appetite, cravings and food choices. He and Andrew Huberman also explore semaglutide, tirzepatide and related medicines, including how they work and their side effects. A useful companion to the tirzepatide research guide.
Play loads the YouTube player. Podcast discussion is context, not medical advice.
Huberman Lab · 1 April 2024
Peptide Benefits & Risks with Andrew Huberman
A useful starting point for the peptide conversation. Andrew Huberman talks through repair-related peptides, growth-hormone pathways and PT-141, alongside sourcing, side effects and the limits of the evidence. Listen for the difference between a promising idea and a result tested in people.
Play loads the YouTube player. Podcast discussion is context, not medical advice.
Huberman Lab · 1 June 2026
Peptide Science & Safety with Dr Abud Bakri
Why are peptides getting so much attention? Dr Abud Bakri joins Andrew Huberman to discuss BPC-157, GHK-Cu, melanotan and GLP-1 medicines. They explore what is being studied, why product sourcing matters and where animal findings still need to be tested in humans.
Play loads the YouTube player. Podcast discussion is context, not medical advice.
Our sources
We prioritise regulator information, official medicine documents and original research. Every compound page links to its sources and shows the date those sources were checked.
This is an educational resource, not a clinical guideline or individual medical assessment. A source check is not a medical peer review. Research and regulatory positions can change.
For the New Zealand position, start with Medsafe’s unapproved peptide products advisory. For a treatment decision, speak to your registered clinician.
Sources checked: 21 October 2026