Peptides Explained

FLGR-242 is being called a smarter, longer-acting follistatin. John examines the advertised construct, the activin-sparing and 19-day half-life claims, the difference between pathway evidence and product evidence, and why transformation photos cannot establish pharmacology or safety.

Follistatin can bind myostatin—one of the body's major restraints on skeletal-muscle growth. Animal studies are dramatic, and small human gene-therapy studies have produced encouraging signals in serious muscle disease. But is a vial labeled "Follistatin-344" equivalent to the therapy used in those trials? John Garrett explains FST288, FST315, and FST344; the myostatin/activin pathway; the difference between gene therapy and recombinant protein; the evidence for muscle size versus function; and the key safety and product-identity questions. Follistatin is not an FDA-approved muscle-building medication. Educational content only; not medical advice. Explore the free Peptides Explained app: https://app.peptidesexplained.info

Glutathione gets called the "master antioxidant," and the underlying biology really is important. But does that mean oral supplements, liposomal products or glutathione IVs deliver the sweeping detox, energy, immune and anti-aging benefits often attached to them? John breaks down glutathione biology, the GSH/GSSG cycle, oral human data, NAC, skin-related research and the gap between changing a biomarker and changing a meaningful health outcome. The episode also covers the 2026 FDA warning and recalls involving compounded injectable glutathione and elevated endotoxin levels. The key question: where does established biology end and wellness marketing begin? Educational only. Not medical advice.

For more information on Research Peptides go to PeptidesExplained.info/OfflinePeptides Is taking smaller GLP-1 doses multiple times per week actually "microdosing"? Not necessarily. This episode separates split dosing from true dose reduction and explains the pharmacokinetic logic using semaglutide, tirzepatide, and retatrutide. John breaks down half-life, peaks, troughs, total exposure, and why changing the schedule does not automatically mean using less drug. We also examine the major evidence gap: once-weekly dosing has a strong clinical foundation for semaglutide and tirzepatide, while retatrutide remains investigational — and direct randomized evidence showing routine split dosing is superior is not established. Educational only. No individualized dosing protocols are provided.

Download The Peptide App at ThePeptide.App/Explained For more information on research peptides check out PeptidesExplained.info/OfflinePeptides A peptide…in a pill? Icotyde, or icotrokinra, is an FDA-approved oral peptide designed to block the IL-23 receptor in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. In Phase 3 trials, it produced substantial skin clearance and outperformed an established oral comparator on several key endpoints. But the biggest story may be the delivery platform itself. Peptides usually struggle to survive the digestive tract and reach circulation. Icotyde shows what can happen when medicinal chemistry, structural engineering and extreme receptor potency come together. This episode breaks down what worked, what the safety data show, and what this does—and does not—mean for the future of oral peptides. Educational only. Not medical advice.