Peptide therapy has gained significant attention in the health and wellness space, particularly among those looking to optimise recovery, body composition, and overall wellbeing. But with popularity comes confusion — so here is a clear, evidence-based look at what peptide therapy actually involves.
What Are Peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids — the building blocks of proteins. Your body naturally produces thousands of peptides that act as signalling molecules, telling your cells and organs what to do. They play roles in everything from muscle growth and repair to immune function and sleep quality.
Therapeutic peptides are synthetic versions of these naturally occurring molecules. When prescribed by a medical practitioner, they can be used to support specific health goals by enhancing or supplementing your body’s own peptide signalling.
Common Therapeutic Peptides
Several peptides have established evidence bases and are prescribed in clinical settings:
Growth Hormone Secretagogues
These peptides stimulate your body’s natural production of growth hormone, rather than introducing external growth hormone directly. Benefits may include improved recovery, better sleep quality, and support for body composition goals.
BPC-157
Originally derived from a protein found in gastric juice, BPC-157 has shown promising results in preclinical studies for supporting tissue repair and recovery, particularly in tendons, ligaments, and the gut.
Thymosin Beta-4
This peptide plays a role in tissue repair and immune modulation. It has been studied for its potential to support recovery from injury and reduce inflammation.
CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin
Often used in combination, these peptides work synergistically to stimulate growth hormone release in a more physiological pattern than direct growth hormone administration.
Who Might Benefit?
Peptide therapy may be suitable for individuals who are:
- Fitness enthusiasts seeking to optimise recovery between training sessions
- Adults experiencing age-related decline in energy, sleep quality, or body composition
- People recovering from injury who want to support their body’s natural healing processes
- Those focused on longevity and wellness looking for evidence-based interventions
It is not a shortcut or a replacement for foundational health practices. Proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management remain the cornerstone of good health. Peptide therapy works best as an adjunct to these fundamentals.
What Does Treatment Involve?
A typical peptide therapy journey at Velora HealthConnect follows a structured process:
Assessment: Your prescriber conducts a thorough health assessment, including your medical history, current medications, health goals, and any relevant blood work. This is essential to determine which peptides (if any) are appropriate for you.
Protocol design: Based on your assessment, your prescriber designs a personalised protocol. This includes the specific peptide or peptide combination, dosing schedule, and administration method (most commonly subcutaneous injection, though some peptides are available in oral or nasal forms).
Treatment initiation: You receive your prescribed peptides along with clear instructions on storage, preparation, and administration. For injectable peptides, your prescriber will walk you through the technique to ensure you are comfortable and confident.
Ongoing monitoring: Regular check-ins allow your prescriber to assess your response, adjust dosing, and monitor for any side effects. Blood work may be repeated at intervals to track relevant biomarkers.
Why Medical Supervision Matters
This is perhaps the most important point in this article. The peptide space has a significant unregulated market, with products of unknown quality and purity being sold online without medical oversight.
The risks of unsupervised peptide use include:
- Unknown product quality — Without pharmaceutical-grade sourcing, you cannot be certain of what you are actually taking
- Incorrect dosing — Too much or too little can result in side effects or ineffective treatment
- Drug interactions — Peptides can interact with other medications or existing health conditions
- Missed contraindications — Some peptides are not suitable for individuals with certain health conditions
When prescribed by a registered medical practitioner, peptides are sourced from regulated compounding pharmacies, dosed appropriately for your individual needs, and monitored throughout treatment.
What Results Can You Expect?
It is important to set realistic expectations. Peptide therapy is not a miracle treatment — it is a clinical tool that works gradually and in conjunction with healthy lifestyle practices.
Most patients begin to notice subtle improvements within the first few weeks, with more meaningful results developing over 8 to 12 weeks of consistent use. The specific timeline depends on the peptide being used, your individual biology, and your adherence to the protocol.
Your prescriber will discuss realistic expectations during your initial consultation so you know exactly what to look for and when.
Key Takeaways
- Peptides are naturally occurring molecules that play important roles in health and recovery
- Therapeutic peptides can support specific health goals when prescribed and monitored by a medical professional
- Medical supervision is essential — unregulated products carry real risks
- Results are gradual and work best alongside solid nutrition, exercise, and sleep habits
- Ongoing monitoring ensures your protocol is optimised and safe
Curious about whether peptide therapy could support your health goals? Reach out to our team for a confidential consultation with an Australian-registered prescriber.
