Brain-gut Axis and Pentadecapeptide BPC 157: Theoretical and Practical Implications
/PMC/2026
Why It Matters
This paper caught my attention because BPC 157 is heavily marketed online as a recovery and gut-healing compound. The reality? All evidence comes from preclinical animal models—mostly rats—with zero published human trials. If you're considering this peptide, you're essentially experimenting based on rodent data. Not a doctor. Just a guy who reads the papers.
Key Findings
- BPC 157 demonstrated protective effects on the gastrointestinal tract in multiple rat models, including protection against ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, and damage from NSAIDs
- Animal studies suggest BPC 157 may influence neurotransmitter systems (dopamine, serotonin, GABA) and reduce depressive-like behaviors in rodent models
- The peptide showed apparent safety in animal toxicology studies with no reported lethal dose or significant adverse effects
- Proposed mechanisms include promoting angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), modulating nitric oxide pathways, and interacting with growth factor systems
- All evidence is preclinical—no published human pharmacokinetics, safety trials, or efficacy studies exist in peer-reviewed literature
Read the Paper↗PMC5333585