Graded
The US health department published a draft policy under which it would not act against pharmacies that make BPC-157 on a prescription for a named patient, until the FDA decides by rule. It is still not an approved medicine.
PL

Muscle mass

Studies usually measure body mass without fat, which is not the same as working muscle. Most studies of these substances involved older or ill people.

First, legal options with stronger studies

  • Strength training with gradually heavier loads, the best-studied option.
  • Enough protein across the day.
  • Creatine, a legal supplement tested in many good studies.
  • Enough sleep and sensibly planned training.

What studies found for specific substances

Sorted alphabetically. Order does not imply a recommendation.

  • CCJC-1295

    In studies with random groups in healthy adults, it raised growth hormone and IGF-1, a hormone made in response to it, for several days. Nobody measured muscle or strength.

  • DGHRP-2

    One study with random groups in 33 critically ill men over 5 days: it restored growth hormone release and IGF-1. Muscle was not measured, and the men were not healthy.

  • EIGF-1 LR3

    There are no studies in people. Given for a week to unborn lambs with slowed growth, it did not raise their weight. Muscle was not measured.

  • EIpamorelin

    Nobody measured muscle. Rats grew longer bones and gained weight, and in ferrets on chemotherapy it reduced weight loss. There are no studies of muscle in people.

  • BLGD-4033

    One 21-day study of 76 healthy men. Body mass without fat rose and fat did not change. We found nothing longer.

  • BMK-677

    Body mass without fat rose in healthy older adults and obese men, and in a short study the body held on to more protein. No study tested people who train.

  • BOstarine

    Body mass without fat rose in early and in the largest studies, but only in older adults and cancer patients. The maker paid for the studies.

  • COxytocin

    One small study with random groups, 21 older adults with obesity and weak muscles: body mass without fat rose by 2.25 kg against placebo in 8 weeks. Nobody has repeated it or tested healthy people.

  • DRAD-140

    Animal studies only. In young rats muscle fibres grew thicker. In female mice strength did not rise after 10 weeks and overall health got worse. The only study in people was in breast cancer and did not measure muscle.

  • CRapamycin

    A rise in body mass without fat appeared only in women on 10 mg in one study, and it was not the main goal of that study.

  • DSermorelin

    One small study of 19 people aged 55 to 71, without random groups: everyone got placebo first, then the drug. Body mass without fat rose in men but not in women. No study tested people who train.

  • ASomatropin

    Body mass without fat rose in older adults and amateur athletes. One study traced the rise to water, so it does not mean more muscle.