A plain-English guide to what peptides are, how they're made and tested, and how they're regulated in Canada.
A peptide is a short chain of amino acids joined by chemical links called peptide bonds. Amino acids are the same 20 building blocks that make up every protein in your body — peptides are simply the smaller versions, usually between 2 and 50 amino acids long.
Your body produces thousands of peptides naturally. Many act as signalling molecules: hormones like insulin, glucagon and oxytocin are all peptides. Because they're so central to biology, peptides are one of the most active areas of scientific research in Canada and worldwide.
| Peptides | Proteins | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Roughly 2–50 amino acids | Usually 50+ amino acids |
| Structure | Simple, often flexible chains | Complex, folded 3D shapes |
| Examples | Oxytocin (9), BPC-157 (15), MOTS-c (16) | Collagen, hemoglobin, antibodies |
| Typical role | Signalling and regulation | Structure, transport, enzymes |
Made by the body — hormones, neurotransmitters and antimicrobial peptides. Many research peptides are fragments or modified versions of these natural sequences.
Some peptides are authorized drugs in Canada, such as insulin and other prescription peptide medications. These have a Drug Identification Number (DIN) from Health Canada and are dispensed only through licensed pharmacies.
Synthetic peptides made for laboratory study — for example BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu and MOTS-c. These are not authorized for human use in Canada and are sold for in-vitro research only. Browse them all in our Peptide Library.
In Canada, any product sold to treat, prevent or modify a bodily function is regulated as a drug under the Food and Drugs Act and must be authorized by Health Canada. Research peptides that lack authorization can only be sold for laboratory research — never for human or animal use. Read our full guide: Are peptides legal in Canada?
Lyophilized peptides are most stable frozen (−20°C or colder) long-term, or refrigerated (2–8°C) short-term, kept dry and away from light.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids — the same building blocks that make up proteins, just smaller (generally under about 50 amino acids). The body makes thousands of them naturally, and many are also synthesized in labs for research.
Size and structure. Peptides are short amino-acid chains; proteins are long chains (usually 50+ amino acids) that fold into complex 3D shapes. Insulin, with 51 amino acids, sits right on the border.
Most research peptides are made by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), where amino acids are added one at a time to a growing chain. The product is then purified by HPLC and freeze-dried (lyophilized) into a stable powder.
Lyophilized peptides should be kept refrigerated (2–8°C) short-term or frozen (−20°C or colder) long-term, away from light and moisture. Let vials reach room temperature before opening to avoid condensation.
Explore research profiles for Canada's most-searched peptides.