BPC-157
Almost all evidence comes from animal studies. No completed controlled human trials.
At a glance. The most widely used repair peptide in the world, and the one with the largest gap between its reputation and its evidence. Sold by AVERON as BP-157.
Written and maintained by the AVERON Research Desk · Last reviewed September 2026
What it is
BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide of 15 amino acids. Its name stands for "body protection compound": its sequence is derived from a protein found in human gastric juice. Most of the research on it has come from one group of researchers at the University of Zagreb, led by Predrag Sikirić, over several decades.
It is proposed to act through several pathways, including the growth of new blood vessels, the nitric oxide system and signalling involved in tissue repair. None of these mechanisms has been confirmed in people.
What researchers study it for
Tendon, ligament and muscle injuries, gut conditions such as ulcers and inflammatory bowel disease, and wound healing.
What the research shows
In animal studies, mostly in rats, BPC-157 has been reported to speed the healing of tendons, ligaments, muscle, bone and the lining of the gut. These results are consistent across many papers, which is why the compound is so widely discussed.
The human evidence is a different matter. A systematic review by Vasireddi and colleagues, published in the HSS Journal in 2025, looked for all studies of BPC-157 in orthopaedic and sports medicine. It found 36 studies. Thirty-five were preclinical. One was a small, retrospective clinical report without a control group.
In other words, BPC-157 has a large animal literature and almost no human evidence.
What it does not do, and what is not known
- It has not been shown to heal any injury in a controlled human trial. Not one exists.
- Consistent results in rats do not establish that it works in people. Many compounds that help animals heal have failed in human trials.
- It will not repair a complete tendon or ligament rupture. That requires a surgical opinion.
- Less pain is not the same as healed tissue. Whether an injury is ready for load is a question for a physiotherapist or doctor.
- Its long-term safety in people is unknown. Because it promotes new blood vessel growth, some researchers have raised a theoretical concern about effects on existing tumours. This has not been studied in humans.
Adverse effects reported in research
There is no systematic human safety data. Animal studies have generally not reported toxicity, but that does not establish safety in people.
Regulatory and anti-doping status
Regulatory: Not approved as a medicine anywhere. In 2023 the US FDA placed BPC-157 in Category 2 of its list of bulk drug substances for compounding, the category for substances that raise significant safety concerns, which prevents US compounding pharmacies from using it.
Anti-doping: BPC-157 is named explicitly on WADA's Prohibited List under category S0 (non-approved substances). Prohibited at all times in tested sport. Many athletes assume it is allowed; it is not.
At AVERON
Supplied as research-grade material under the name BP-157, 10 mg.
Independent lab report: 123379_RYQG3P2YCMYU
Frequently asked questions
Doses mentioned on this page are the arms of published studies, given to describe their results. They are not guidance.
Sources
- Vasireddi N, Hahamyan H, Salata MJ, et al.. Emerging use of BPC-157 in orthopaedic sports medicine: a systematic review. HSS Journal, 2025;21(4):485–495. Link
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks. FDA. Link
- World Anti-Doping Agency. The Prohibited List. WADA. Link