What it is
BPC-157 — short for Body Protection Compound-157 — is a synthetic peptide made up of 15 amino acids, derived from a protein found in human gastric juice. In the PeptidesAI encyclopedia it is categorized under tissue repair, and it is studied in connection with healing of soft tissue, gut healing, and anti-inflammatory effects.
How it's thought to work
The proposed mechanism centers on how BPC-157 affects the cells and processes involved in tissue repair. Research describes it as enhancing fibroblast activity — fibroblasts are the cells that build connective tissue — and supporting collagen synthesis, which is the structural protein that makes up tendons, ligaments and skin. It has also been studied for promoting angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, and for upregulating growth factors more generally. Separately from tissue repair, BPC-157 has also been studied for effects on the dopamine and serotonin systems, two neurotransmitter pathways.
What the research says
The evidence base for BPC-157 is described as extensive at the preclinical level — that is, animal and laboratory studies — showing accelerated tissue repair. Human clinical trials, by contrast, are limited. BPC-157 is classified as an FDA Category 2 substance, and it has not been approved by the FDA for any human use. It is also on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) list of prohibited substances.
Reported side effects
Reported side effects are described as minimal. They include occasional redness or irritation at the injection site, and rare reports of mild dizziness or nausea. Long-term human safety has not been established.
Reconstitution
BPC-157 is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and is typically reconstituted with bacteriostatic (BAC) water before use. It commonly comes in 5 mg and 10 mg vials. Reconstitution follows the same dilution math regardless of vial size: the amount of peptide in the vial is fixed, and the water added only changes how concentrated the resulting solution is.
Worked example. A 5 mg vial is 5,000 mcg. Reconstituted with 1 mL of BAC water, that works out to 5,000 mcg ÷ 1 mL = 5,000 mcg/mL. On a U-100 insulin syringe, where each unit is 0.01 mL, that means each unit holds 5,000 × 0.01 = 50 mcg. A 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL of BAC water comes out to the same concentration — 10,000 mcg ÷ 2 mL = 5,000 mcg/mL, so again 50 mcg per unit — because the ratio of peptide to water is unchanged. Use the peptide reconstitution calculator to work out the concentration and units for any vial size and water volume.
Important notes
BPC-157 is classified as an FDA Category 2 substance and is prohibited by WADA. It is not FDA-approved for any human use.
Frequently asked questions
What is BPC-157?
A synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide derived from human gastric juice, studied for tissue repair, gut healing and anti-inflammatory effects. It is a research compound, not approved by the FDA for human use.
How is BPC-157 thought to work?
Research describes it as enhancing fibroblast activity, supporting collagen synthesis, promoting angiogenesis, and upregulating growth factors, with additional study of effects on dopamine and serotonin systems.
What does the research on BPC-157 say?
Extensive preclinical (animal and lab) data shows accelerated tissue repair. Human clinical trials remain limited, and it is classified as an FDA Category 2 substance.
What are the reported side effects?
Minimal — occasional injection site redness or irritation, and rare reports of mild dizziness or nausea. Long-term human safety is unknown.
How many mcg is one unit from a 5 mg BPC-157 vial?
With 1 mL of BAC water, a 5 mg vial is 5,000 mcg/mL, so one unit on a U-100 syringe (0.01 mL) holds 50 mcg.
The full entry, plus the calculator
The PeptidesAI app has the complete encyclopedia entry for BPC-157 — one of 70 compounds covered — including protocol notes, plus the reconstitution calculator, a dose log and reminders. Free to download on iPhone.
Download on the App Store