Every article we’ve published.

Cortexin is a low-molecular-weight polypeptide preparation extracted from cerebral cortex, used clinically in Russia for brain ischaemia and cognitive disorders. This overview covers its composition, proposed neuroprotective mechanisms, the clinical and animal evidence, and an honest account of its evidence quality.

Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is the synthetic pineal bioregulator at the centre of Khavinson's telomerase and longevity research. This overview separates Epitalon from the epithalamin extract, examines the human telomere data, animal lifespan studies, and elderly geroprotector trials, and gives an honest account of the evidence quality.

Pinealon is the synthetic tripeptide Glu-Asp-Arg (EDR), a Khavinson neuro-bioregulator studied for antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in cell and animal models. This overview covers its structure, proposed gene-expression mechanism, the preclinical evidence, and an honest account of its limitations.

A comprehensive naturopathic guide to Hashimoto's thyroiditis — covering autoimmune pathophysiology, why TSH alone is insufficient, root cause framework including gluten molecular mimicry, intestinal permeability, EBV, selenium RCT evidence, low-dose naltrexone, myo-inositol, and the therapeutic pyramid.

A clinical examination of histamine intolerance — distinguishing it from IgE-mediated allergy and mast cell activation syndrome, explaining DAO and HNMT degradation pathways, dietary triggers, the four-week low-histamine elimination and reintroduction protocol, DAO supplementation evidence, and nutritional cofactors.

A clinical naturopathic guide to MCAS — covering diagnostic criteria, mediator biology, symptom spectrum including POTS overlap, long-COVID association, and evidence-based management with low-histamine diet, DAO support, quercetin, luteolin, PEA, and vitamin C.

A clinician-facing guide to interpreting the GI-MAP stool test — covering DNA-based methodology, key marker panels (H. pylori, parasites, commensals, opportunistic bacteria, intestinal health markers), naturopathic treatment implications per finding, and when to retest.

Liver biotransformation occurs in two phases: Phase 1 (CYP450 oxidation) and Phase 2 (conjugation reactions). Understanding these pathways informs nutritional support strategies and interpretation of OAT and DUTCH functional testing.

A complete naturopathic reference covering one-carbon metabolism, MTHFR variants, homocysteine pathophysiology, clinical testing, and evidence-based nutritional support for methylation dysfunction.

A research-based comparison of NMN and NR as NAD+ precursors — covering the salvage pathway, Brenner and Yoshino human trial data, bioavailability debate, sublingual NMN, dose protocols, cost in the Australian market, and how to test NAD+ levels.

A comprehensive reference mapping Australian peptide research in 2026: TGA regulatory framework, major peptide classes, research institutions, compounding rules, and 2024–26 policy shifts.

A clinical naturopathic guide to polycystic ovary syndrome — covering PCOS pathophysiology, Rotterdam criteria, phenotype mapping, functional testing, and evidence-ranked interventions including inositol, berberine, NAC, spearmint, low-GI diet, and resistance training.

A comprehensive overview of Vladimir Khavinson's 40+ years of research into short-chain bioregulator peptides, their proposed epigenetic mechanisms, clinical evidence base, and honest assessment of current research quality.

A practitioner-grade guide to DUTCH test hormone testing — what it measures, how to read oestrogen metabolism pathways, cortisol curves, and melatonin markers, plus ordering in Australia and clinical applications.

Autoimmune conditions share common upstream drivers — intestinal permeability, microbial dysbiosis, nutrient deficiencies, and chronic stress. Here's how functional medicine approaches root-cause assessment and what the evidence supports for reducing autoimmune disease burden.

Vilon (KE dipeptide) and Livagen (KEDA tetrapeptide) are Khavinson short-peptide bioregulators studied for immune and liver tissue-specific gene expression modulation.

A clinician-facing guide to the Organic Acids Test (OAT) — covering urine metabolomics methodology, key marker categories (gut dysbiosis, mitochondrial function, neurotransmitter metabolism, nutrient cofactors, detoxification, oxalates), how to order in Australia, and clinical workflow integration.

CoQ10 (ubiquinone) and ubiquinol are two forms of the same mitochondrial cofactor. This clinical review covers bioavailability data, age-related conversion decline, statin depletion, and evidence-based dosing for practitioners.

Rome IV IBS subtypes and naturopathic treatment evidence: peppermint oil, FODMAP, fibre, probiotics, herbal antimicrobials, gut-brain, Australian context.

Pyrrole disorder is one of the most debated diagnoses in functional and naturopathic medicine. Here's an honest examination of the evidence, what kryptopyrole testing actually measures, its association with nutrient depletion, and the clinical picture in anxiety, ADHD, and mood disorders.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has accumulated strong clinical trial evidence for cortisol reduction, testosterone support, and stress adaptation. This practitioner-level review covers mechanisms, trials, dosing, and safety.

A clinical naturopathic guide to estrogen dominance — covering the oestrogen:progesterone ratio imbalance, Phase 1/2 liver detoxification pathways, the oestrobolome, xenoestrogen exposure, and evidence-ranked dietary, herbal, and lifestyle protocols.

MTHFR gene variants, their effect on methylation capacity, homocysteine metabolism, folate pathways, and evidence-based naturopathic interventions including methylfolate, B12, and dietary support.

Subclinical heavy metal accumulation — lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium — contributes to neurological, renal, and cardiovascular dysfunction well below conventional toxic thresholds. Here's how functional medicine tests for body burden and what the evidence supports for safe elimination.

A practitioner-focused review of epithalon telomere research: the mechanisms proposed by Vladimir Khavinson, what the published animal and human studies actually demonstrate, and how integrative clinicians contextualise this pineal-derived tetrapeptide.

Rhodiola rosea (Arctic root) modulates the stress response via salidroside and rosavins. This review covers clinical trial data on fatigue, cognitive performance, cortisol, and exercise adaptation.

A clinician-to-patient framework covering autophagy mechanisms (mTOR/AMPK), types (macroautophagy, mitophagy), fasting protocols (16:8, 24h, 5:2), autophagy-inducing compounds (spermidine, resveratrol, berberine), and clinical cautions — for naturopathic practice.

An evidence-based naturopathic guide to Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) — covering the three SIBO subtypes, lactulose breath testing protocols, herbal antimicrobials, elemental diets, rifaximin, and long-term relapse prevention for Australian patients.

A systematic comparison of NAD+ precursors — NMN vs NR vs niacin vs NMN riboside — covering mechanisms, bioavailability, clinical trial data, dosing, and what naturopathic practitioners need to know in 2026.

Adrenal fatigue is one of naturopathic medicine's most contested concepts. Here's an honest review of the evidence: what the HPA axis dysregulation research shows, where conventional endocrinology draws the line, and what functional medicine approaches actually have evidence behind them.

Senescent cells accumulate with age and drive chronic inflammation through the SASP. Here's the current evidence on senolytics — compounds that selectively clear senescent cells — including quercetin, dasatinib, fisetin, and navitoclax, from early-phase clinical trials.

Mitochondrial dysfunction underlies fatigue, cognitive impairment, and accelerated ageing. Here's how functional medicine identifies it through OAT testing and organic acid biomarkers, and what the evidence supports for nutritional and botanical support.

Intestinal hyperpermeability is a real, measurable physiological phenomenon studied in peer-reviewed literature. Here's what the evidence supports — and where 'leaky gut' narratives substantially outpace the science.

HTMA is used in naturopathic practice to assess mineral status, heavy metal burden, and metabolic patterns. Here's an honest review of what the evidence supports, where the methodology is sound, and where interpretation outpaces the science.

Candida overgrowth is both over-diagnosed in wellness culture and under-investigated in conventional medicine. Here's a balanced evidence-based examination of testing methods, clinical presentations, and naturopathic treatment protocols.

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) from water-damaged buildings affects an estimated 25% of genetically susceptible individuals exposed to mold. Here's the Shoemaker protocol, diagnostic framework, and evidence-based naturopathic support strategies.

CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin act on different receptor classes — GHRH-R and the ghrelin receptor — to amplify the natural pulsatile growth hormone pulse. This article covers how the two mechanisms complement each other and why the combination produces cleaner GH release than either compound alone.

Mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) are a recently characterised class of signalling molecules encoded in the mitochondrial genome that act as systemic stress signals. This overview covers the known MDPs — humanin, MOTS-c, SHLP2 — their receptor targets, and what the mitokine concept means for understanding mitochondria as endocrine organs.

Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is a synthetic tetrapeptide derived from epithalamin that activates telomerase, extends telomere length in cell culture models, and modulates pineal melatonin secretion. This article covers the telomere shortening biology, the Khavinson research program, and what the preclinical data shows about cellular ageing mechanisms.

NAD+ is a coenzyme central to mitochondrial energy metabolism whose decline with age activates the sirtuin longevity pathway deficit. This article covers the NAD+/NADH ratio as a metabolic signal, how sirtuins read it, and what the preclinical data on NAD+ precursors reveals about the sirtuin-PARP competition that determines whether the cell repairs or ages.

Peptide bioregulators are short di- to tetrapeptides derived from tissue extracts that modulate gene expression in a tissue-specific manner. This overview covers the Khavinson research program, the proposed chromatin interaction mechanism, and the evidence base for the major bioregulator peptides across thymus, pineal, vascular, and connective tissue targets.

A comprehensive reference covering all major categories of research peptides: tissue repair, cognitive enhancement, metabolic regulation, longevity, and mitochondrial function. Covers mechanisms, evidence quality, regulatory status, and cross-category comparisons.

Retatrutide adds glucagon receptor agonism to the GLP-1R and GIPR dual agonist framework, producing Phase 2 weight loss data of approximately 24% at 48 weeks. This article covers why glucagon receptor activation — counterintuitive for a metabolic compound — contributes to fat loss through thermogenesis and hepatic lipid clearance.

Insulin resistance is the central defect in type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, driven by ectopic lipid accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory signalling, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This review covers the molecular mechanisms and the peptide and metabolic interventions that target them.

KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH with potent anti-inflammatory activity through NF-κB inhibition and MC1R activation. This article covers the inflammatory cascade it targets, its bioavailability relative to full-length MSH, and the gut epithelium research.

Growth hormone secretagogues stimulate endogenous pulsatile GH release rather than replacing it, preserving the physiological pulse architecture that exogenous GH overrides. This article covers somatotroph biology, the IGF-1 axis, the difference between secretagogue and exogenous GH pharmacology, and what the longevity and body composition data shows.

GLP-1 receptor agonists demonstrate significant reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) across multiple large randomised trials. This review examines the LEADER, SUSTAIN-6, REWIND, and SELECT trial data and the proposed mechanisms behind cardiovascular protection.

Epigenetic clocks measure biological age through DNA methylation patterns at specific CpG sites, and several peptide interventions have produced measurable clock reversals in preclinical and early clinical research. This article covers how the Horvath, GrimAge, and DunedinPACE clocks work, what they measure, and what the Yamanaka factor and peptide intervention data means for ageing biology.

Dihexa (PNB-0408) is a small peptide derived from angiotensin IV that potentiates hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signalling at the MET receptor, driving synaptogenesis and cognitive enhancement in preclinical models. This review covers its mechanism, evidence base, and research context.

Tirzepatide co-activates GLP-1R and GIPR simultaneously, producing weight loss and glycaemic outcomes that exceed GLP-1 monotherapy. The GIP contribution is paradoxical — GIPR agonism and antagonism both appear to reduce body weight — and this article covers the current mechanistic explanation and the central GIP receptor hypothesis.

Partial cellular reprogramming using Yamanaka factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) transiently reverses epigenetic age in somatic cells without inducing pluripotency. This review examines the mechanistic basis, key experimental findings, and the distinction between full and partial reprogramming.

MOTS-c is a 16-amino acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene that translocates to the nucleus during metabolic stress, activating AMPK and the folate-methionine cycle to restore metabolic homeostasis. This article covers its discovery, nuclear translocation mechanism, and what the exercise and metabolic stress data reveals about its role in adaptation.

PT-141 (bremelanotide) activates melanocortin receptors in the central nervous system to produce arousal effects independent of vascular mechanisms. This article covers the MC3R and MC4R pharmacology, the hypothalamic circuit involved, and how this differs from phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

Thymalin and thymosin alpha-1 are thymus-derived peptides with complementary roles in immune reconstitution and T-cell maturation. This review examines their mechanisms, preclinical longevity data, and clinical evidence in immunodeficiency contexts.

Semax is a heptapeptide analogue of the ACTH 4-10 fragment that increases BDNF and NGF expression in the CNS, modulates dopamine and serotonin systems, and produces nootropic and neuroprotective effects in rodent and early human research. This article covers the receptor pharmacology and what the BDNF induction mechanism means for cognitive function.

Cellular senescence — the irreversible arrest of damaged cells — drives tissue inflammation and age-related pathology through the SASP. This review examines peptide-based senolytic strategies targeting senescent cell survival pathways.

Humanin and small humanin-like peptides (SHLPs 1–6) are mitochondrial-derived peptides encoded in the 16S rRNA gene. This review examines their cytoprotective, metabolic, and longevity-associated mechanisms.

Semaglutide's once-weekly dosing and exceptional weight loss outcomes stem from two engineering decisions: DPP-IV-resistant amino acid substitution and C18 fatty diacid acylation enabling albumin binding. This article covers the half-life extension chemistry and the defended body weight setpoint biology that explains the STEP trial outcomes.

SS-31 (elamipretide) is a tetrapeptide that selectively concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane through electrostatic interaction with cardiolipin, restoring electron transport chain efficiency and reducing mitochondrial ROS production. This article covers the cardiolipin biology, the targeting mechanism, and what the preclinical data shows across cardiac, renal, and neurological models.

TB-500 is a synthetic analogue of thymosin beta-4, a ubiquitous actin-sequestering peptide involved in cell migration, wound healing, and angiogenesis. This review covers the mechanistic evidence for its regenerative effects.

BPC-157 is a stable gastric pentadecapeptide with documented effects on tendon, muscle, gut, and nerve tissue. This breakdown covers the growth factor receptor interactions, nitric oxide pathway involvement, and what the preclinical data means for repair protocols.

Selank is a synthetic analogue of the endogenous immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin that produces anxiolytic effects through GABA-A modulation, enkephalin stabilisation, and BDNF upregulation. This article covers each mechanism and what distinguishes Selank's pharmacological profile from benzodiazepine and SSRI approaches to anxiety.

GLP-1 receptor agonists produce weight loss and glycaemic control through three concurrent mechanisms: glucose-dependent insulin secretion, gastric emptying delay, and central appetite suppression via hypothalamic GLP-1 receptors. This article covers all three and why their combination is pharmacologically unique.

Research peptides are short amino acid chains that act as signalling molecules. This overview covers how they differ from proteins, how they reach their target receptors, and why structural specificity determines biological effect.

GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex) is an endogenous tripeptide that declines with age and activates over 4,000 genes involved in collagen synthesis, wound repair, anti-inflammatory signalling, and antioxidant defence. This article covers the copper binding chemistry, the TGF-β and decorin pathway interactions, and the skin and wound healing data.