Peptides have become one of the most talked-about tools in functional and longevity medicine—and for good reason. These short chains of amino acids act like “messengers” in the body, helping regulate processes like metabolism, inflammation, tissue repair, immune function, and even mood and cognition.
At Medical Spa and Wellness by Michelle NP, in Holladay, Utah, my approach is always the same: education first, individualized care, and a safety-focused plan built around your goals, health history, and labs when appropriate.
Why people use peptides
While each peptide is different, many protocols are designed to support:
- Metabolic health and healthy weight management
- Recovery and tissue repair (muscle, tendon, ligament, skin)
- Inflammation balance and gut support
- Immune resilience
- Cognitive performance, mood, and stress response
- Healthy aging and longevity support
Safety first: what you should know before starting
Peptides can be powerful—so they should be treated like real medical therapy, not a trend.
Here’s what a safety-first peptide plan looks like:
- Appropriate screening: Your medical history, medications, contraindications, and goals matter.
- Quality sourcing: Peptides should come from reputable, properly regulated sources.
- Clear expectations: Not every peptide is right for every person, and “more” isn’t always better.
- Monitoring: Some protocols require follow-up, symptom tracking, and/or lab monitoring.
- Avoiding internet dosing: Self-prescribing or buying from unknown sources increases risk and can lead to ineffective or unsafe use.
Important note: The information below is educational and not medical advice. Peptide therapy should always be individualized.
A brief guide to commonly requested peptides (and why they’re used)
Tirzepatide (metabolic support, weight loss, and more)
Tirzepatide is widely known for its role in medical weight loss and metabolic health. By supporting appetite regulation and blood sugar balance, it can help many patients reduce cravings, improve satiety, and lose weight in a sustainable, medically supervised way.
Emerging clinical interest also suggests potential benefits beyond weight, including:
- Reduced addictive behaviors and alcohol cravings in some patients (an area of active research)
- Brain and cognitive health support through improved metabolic signaling and inflammation balance
Because it impacts metabolism, it’s especially important that tirzepatide is used with proper screening, education, and monitoring.
BPC-157 (recovery and tissue support)
BPC-157 is commonly used in wellness protocols focused on recovery and repair. Many patients seek it out for support with:
- Tendon, ligament, and muscle recovery
- Inflammation balance
- Gut lining support (often as part of a broader gut plan)
- Skin, hair, and GLOW
TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4) (healing and regeneration support)
TB-500 is often discussed for its potential role in tissue repair and recovery, particularly in active individuals or those healing from injury. It’s commonly used in protocols aimed at:
- Supporting mobility and recovery
- Helping the body manage inflammation
- Promoting overall tissue resilience
GHK-Cu (copper peptide) (skin, hair, and regenerative aesthetics)
GHK-Cu is a well-known peptide in regenerative and aesthetic medicine. It’s commonly used to support:
- Skin quality and collagen support
- Hair and scalp health
- Overall tissue rejuvenation and repair signaling
KPV Peptide: Targeted Gut and Inflammation Support
Calm Inflammation, Support the Gut Lining, and Promote Whole-Body Wellness
KPV is a short peptide derived from alpha-MSH (a naturally occurring hormone involved in inflammation regulation). It’s commonly used in functional wellness plans to help calm inflammatory signaling, support gut barrier integrity, and promote a healthier immune response—especially when symptoms are tied to the digestive tract.
How KPV Works
KPV supports the body’s natural balance by:
- Modulating inflammatory signaling: Helps downshift overactive inflammatory pathways that can contribute to discomfort and flare-ups.
- Supporting gut barrier function: May help reinforce the intestinal lining, which is key for digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune balance.
- Promoting a healthier microbiome environment: Often paired with gut protocols to support a more resilient digestive ecosystem.
- Supporting immune regulation: Helps encourage a more balanced immune response, which can be helpful when inflammation is driving symptoms.
Potential Benefits of KPV Therapy
Depending on your goals and underlying drivers, KPV may support:
- Digestive comfort: Helpful for people dealing with bloating, sensitivity, or recurring GI irritation.
- Reduced inflammation: Supports a calmer inflammatory response that may impact joints, skin, and overall wellbeing.
- Gut healing support: Often used as part of a broader plan focused on gut lining repair and barrier support.
- Improved resilience: Many patients report better day-to-day tolerance to foods and stressors when inflammation is better controlled.
How It’s Administered
KPV protocols are individualized. It may be used in different forms depending on your plan and goals (commonly as an oral option and sometimes as an injection). Your provider will recommend the best route, dosing, and duration based on your symptoms, labs, and overall wellness strategy.
Is KPV Right for You?
If you’re working on gut health, chronic inflammation, or immune balance—and want a targeted option to support your plan—KPV may be a great fit. Schedule a consultation to review your symptoms, testing, and goals to see whether KPV is appropriate for you.
NAD+ (cellular energy and longevity support)
NAD+ is not a peptide, but it’s frequently included in the same conversation because of its role in cellular energy production and healthy aging. NAD+ support is commonly used for:
- Energy and mitochondrial support
- Cognitive clarity and focus
- Recovery support and resilience
- Longevity-focused wellness plans
Selank (stress, anxiety, mood, and brain support)
Selank is often used in protocols focused on the nervous system and stress response. Patients commonly ask about it for support with:
- Anxiety and stress regulation
- Mood balance (including low mood)
- Focus and cognitive performance
There is also scientific interest in Selank’s broader immune and neurological effects, including ongoing research areas related to brain health and potential protective roles in certain disease processes.
Thymosin Alpha-1 (immune resilience, inflammation, and oncology support)
Thymosin Alpha-1 is best known for its role in immune modulation. In integrative and functional medicine, it may be used to support:
- Immune resilience and recovery
- Inflammation balance
- Supportive care protocols in complex chronic conditions
It has also been studied in oncology settings as part of supportive immune-focused strategies (always coordinated carefully with a patient’s oncology team).
Wolverine Blend (stacked recovery support)
“Wolverine blend” is a popular nickname for a peptide combination often used in recovery-focused protocols (commonly discussed as a blend that supports tissue repair and inflammation balance). Patients often seek it out when they want:
- A more comprehensive recovery approach
- Support for training, injury recovery, or overuse issues
Because blends vary by source and protocol, it’s important to review exactly what’s included and whether it’s appropriate for your health history.
There are many more
The peptides above are some of the most commonly requested, but they’re not the only options. Peptide therapy is a broad category, and the “right” peptide (or combination) depends on your goals—weight loss, recovery, gut health, immune resilience, mood support, longevity, or performance.
The bottom line
Peptides can be an incredible tool when they’re:
- Properly selected
- Correctly dosed
- Responsibly sourced
- Medically supervised
If you’re curious about peptides for weight loss, recovery, gut health, mood support, immune resilience, or longevity, schedule a consultation. We’ll review your goals, health history, and the safest path forward—so you can get results without guesswork.
