Learn more about the essential treatment methods, active ingredients, and terms of longevity medicine in our Longevity Glossary. Which substances and active ingredients are used in longevity therapies and for what purpose? What function do they have in the human body and what should be taken into account? Use this knowledge as your personal compass on the path to enhanced vitality and a long, healthy life.
AOD-9604
This peptide is primarily researched for fat burning and obesity treatment because it stimulates fat breakdown without negatively affecting blood sugar levels. Additionally, there are preclinical approaches for the regeneration of cartilage tissue in osteoarthritis. AOD-9604 is the subject of clinical research; its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
Anti-Aging Clinic/Physician/Doctor
Anti-aging medicine is an interdisciplinary medical approach that aims to slow down biological aging processes, reduce the risk of age-related diseases, and maintain as well as improve the quality of life, along with physical and mental performance capacity, at any age. Anti-aging medicine is based on scientific, partly evidence-based, and partly experimental procedures ranging from genetic factors, lifestyle adjustments, stem cell therapies, and hormone therapies to nutritional and exercise recommendations.
Biohacking
Biohacking aims to optimize one’s own physical and mental performance, health, and well-being through targeted changes in lifestyle. Methods range from habit adaptations such as sleep and nutritional optimization to medical methods like the use of bioidentical hormones, peptides, stem cells, infusions with NAD+, or dietary supplements such as resveratrol, spermidine, and NMN.
BPC-157
BPC-157 is a peptide used in regenerative medicine to accelerate the healing of various tissue types such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. It is intended to reduce inflammation, promote the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), and support the regeneration process after injuries, which can shorten recovery times and increase the resilience of tissue structures. It is often used together with Thymosin beta-4. BPC-157 is the subject of clinical research; its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
Cerebrolysin
This is a neurotrophic peptide mixture used for the treatment of strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. It supports the survival of nerve cells and promotes neuroplasticity. Cerebrolysin is available as an approved drug for specific indications; in longevity medicine, it is used as an off-label application.
Epitalon
Epitalon can increase the activity of the enzyme telomerase, which is responsible for the lengthening of telomeres. Telomeres protect our chromosomes from damage. As we age, these telomeres shorten, leading to cellular aging and cell death. By lengthening the telomeres, Epitalon could theoretically extend the lifespan of cells and thus slow down the aging process. Epitalon is the subject of clinical research; its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
Erythropoietin
Erythropoietin (EPO) is mainly used in regenerative medicine to support the regeneration of cells and tissue. While high-dose EPO stimulates the production of blood cells, for instance in the treatment of anemia, low-dose EPO is utilized in various regenerative treatments due to its activating effect on the body’s own stem cells, such as in the treatment of wound healing disorders and skin problems, as well as to improve skin quality.
Exosomes
Exosomes are generated during the cultivation of human or animal stem cells. They can be used in regenerative medicine and aesthetics to promote healing and rejuvenation processes, primarily for the treatment of skin issues such as wrinkles, scars, and hair loss. They are also researched and used in orthopedics to support joint diseases like osteoarthritis, to promote cartilage regeneration, and to reduce inflammation. There are also exosomes obtained from the cultivation of plant stem cells, which are used in aesthetics. Human-derived exosomes are the subject of clinical research, and their application is experimental.
Follistatin
Follistatin is a protein primarily formed in liver cells (hepatocytes) and has diverse tasks in human metabolism. Among other things, follistatin is required for the formation and growth of muscle fibers. Follistatin is the subject of clinical research; its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu (GHK copper) is a copper peptide naturally occurring in the human body, consisting of the amino acids glycine, histidine, and lysine tightly bound to a copper ion. It plays an important role in the regeneration of tissue and cells by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, accelerating wound healing, and inhibiting inflammation. Natural GHK-Cu levels in the body decline with increasing age. GHK-Cu is used to slow down aging processes and activate the body’s own repair mechanisms. GHK-Cu is the subject of clinical research; its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
Growth Hormone
Growth hormone, also known as GH, ensures the normal growth of bones and tissue. After completion of the growth phase, it is significantly responsible for tissue stability. In regenerative medicine and BHRT, GH is therefore used to promote the stability of the skeleton, muscles, organs, and connective tissue during increasing deficiencies in old age, and to hold back the age-related degeneration of the body. Growth hormone is available as an approved drug for specific indications; in longevity medicine, it is used as an off-label application.
Humanin
This mitochondrially derived peptide possesses strong cytoprotective and neuroprotective properties. It is intensively studied in connection with protection against Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular diseases, and age-related cellular decline. Its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
IGF-1
IGF-1 controls the effects of growth hormone (GH) in the body. In youth, this interplay ensures the healthy growth of bones and tissue, while in adulthood it ensures their permanent stability. Since hormone production declines over the years, regenerative medicine and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) target IGF-1 specifically: It strengthens the skeleton, muscles, organs, as well as connective tissue, and effectively counteracts age-related degradation processes. IGF-1 is available as an approved drug for specific indications; in longevity medicine, it is used as an off-label application.
Kisspeptin
This peptide plays a key role in the regulation of reproductive hormones via the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. It is researched for the treatment of infertility, hormonal disorders, and loss of libido. The application of kisspeptin in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
Longevity Clinic/Physician/Doctor
Longevity medicine is an interdisciplinary medical field that aims to extend both lifespan and healthspan. Longevity medicine focuses on slowing down the biological aging process, preventing age-related diseases, and improving the quality of life at any age through a holistic approach. The goals are to strengthen health at a cellular level, optimize cell functions, and promote an active and vital life well into old age.
Melanotan II
As a synthetic analogue of the alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, it increases skin pigmentation (tanning) in experimental applications to protect against UV radiation. At the same time, it is currently the subject of clinical research regarding a potential significant effect in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
MOTS-c
This peptide regulates metabolism and mitochondrial energy production. It is being investigated as a potential therapeutic agent against insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and to increase physical performance capacity. MOTS-c is the subject of clinical research; its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
NAD+ Infusions
NAD+ infusions are primarily used to improve physical and mental performance capacity, support anti-aging processes, and promote overall cellular health. They can be helpful for chronic exhaustion, lack of energy, cognitive impairment, as well as to support cellular regeneration and DNA repair. They are also applied for certain skin diseases, metabolic problems, and to support the immune system. NAD+ infusions are currently not available as approved drugs; their application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
Peptides
Peptides are short-chain molecules made of amino acids that serve as signaling molecules for cell-to-cell communication in the body. They are used in regenerative medicine to accelerate tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and stimulate collagen production. Peptides promote cellular regeneration, support the rebuilding of muscles and joints, can contribute to the mitigation of chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, and are utilized for their antimicrobial effect to support wound healing. Some peptides are available as drugs for specific indications, but such approvals do not yet exist for many peptides. Within the scope of freedom of therapy, peptides may also be applied in longevity medicine without drug approval; this often occurs as an off-label use or for experimental purposes.
PT-141 (Bremelanotide)
It is approved for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in men and women (such as hypoactive sexual desire disorder). Unlike other medications, it acts directly on the libido via the nervous system. Its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
Semaglutide
This GLP-1 receptor agonist is approved for the therapy of type 2 diabetes and chronic obesity. It delays gastric emptying, regulates insulin secretion, and leads to a significant reduction in body weight. Semaglutide is available as an approved drug for specific indications; in longevity medicine, it is used as an off-label application.SermorelinAs a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), it stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete growth hormone. It is used clinically for the diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone deficiency, as well as for off-label applications in the anti-aging field.
TB-500
TB-500 plays a central role in the regeneration of tissue and the repair of cells. Possible areas of application include the accelerated healing of skin injuries, muscle tears, and injuries to tendons and ligaments. Furthermore, blood circulation can be improved since TB-500 promotes the formation of new blood vessels. TB-500 is the subject of clinical research; its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.TesamorelinThis peptide is specifically approved in the US for the reduction of excess abdominal fat (visceral obesity) in HIV patients with lipodystrophy. It likewise stimulates the body’s own synthesis and release of growth hormone. There is no drug approval in the EU yet; its application is experimental. Its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
Thymosin Alpha
Thymosin Alpha is used in regenerative medicine primarily to strengthen the immune system in viral infections such as hepatitis B, C, and HIV, as well as in cancer. It is intended to improve the function and number of T-cells and to promote healing after injuries or in degenerative diseases. Thymosin Alpha is the subject of clinical research; its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
Thymosin beta-4
Derived from the thymus gland, Thymosin beta-4 is closely integrated into the regulation and maturation of the immune system. It is being researched for therapeutic use in autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, and for immune strengthening in old age. Its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)
VIP acts as a strong vasodilator, anti-inflammatory agent, and bronchodilator. It is investigated for pulmonary hypertension, erectile dysfunction, as well as chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as sarcoidosis. Its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.
Wolverine Stack
Named after the Marvel superhero Wolverine, the combination of the peptides BPC-157 and TB-500 (Thymosin beta-4) is intended to accelerate regeneration in injuries to bones, ligaments, and joints, and also to promote muscle building. Just like BPC-157 and TB-500 individually, the Wolverine Stack is the subject of clinical research; its application in longevity medicine is permissible due to medical freedom of therapy but is of an experimental nature.