How Compound Review evaluates research peptides, grades evidence quality, and maintains editorial independence.
Commercial Relationship Disclosure
Compound Review is an independent comparison site. It is not owned or operated by Purgo Labs or by any vendor we review, and we do not sell peptides. We earn affiliate commissions when readers buy through partner links, and we currently have affiliate agreements with several vendors, Purgo Labs among them. Partner links and codes are labelled on every page that carries them. Partnership never changes a score: every vendor, partner or not, is scored on the same public rubric from evidence you can check yourself. See the full Conflict of Interest Policy below.
Compound Review is an independent reference guide for researchers, biohackers, and healthcare professionals who need accurate, mechanism-level information about research peptides. Our goal is to provide the most technically rigorous, evidence-graded peptide reference available on the open web — written at the level of a medical journal, not a supplement blog.
Compound profiles and comparison guides on this site are built from primary literature. Content is reviewed against published studies and updated when new data emerges. Each compound is assigned an evidence tier that honestly reflects the current state of research — including cases where human clinical evidence is absent or where trials have failed to meet their primary endpoints.
We rate the evidence quality for every compound and claim using a five-tier hierarchy based on study design and replication. This rating appears prominently in every compound profile and comparison guide.
Human RCT
Randomized controlled trials in humans. Highest evidence quality. Rare for research peptides — most are still in preclinical stages.
Human Cohort / Phase 1–2 Trial
Non-randomized human studies, Phase 1/2 trials, or observational cohort data. Strong signal but lower causal certainty than RCT.
Animal Model (In Vivo)
Rodent or other animal model studies. Extensive preclinical data exists for most peptides at this tier. Mechanism is well-established but human translation is uncertain.
In Vitro (Cell Culture)
Cell culture or isolated tissue studies. Useful for mechanism elucidation but does not establish in vivo efficacy.
Theoretical / Expert Opinion
Mechanistic extrapolation, expert opinion, or anecdotal reports. Used only to explain plausible mechanisms when direct evidence is absent.
All factual claims in compound profiles and comparison guides are sourced from peer-reviewed literature. We use the following source hierarchy:
| Source Type | Used For | Accepted |
|---|---|---|
| PubMed-indexed journals | Mechanism, efficacy, safety claims | Yes — primary source |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial status, phase, enrollment | Yes — primary source |
| FDA / EMA databases | Regulatory status, approval history | Yes — primary source |
| Preprints (bioRxiv, medRxiv) | Emerging mechanisms only | With explicit caveat |
| Manufacturer / vendor claims | Never used for efficacy claims | No |
| Forum / anecdotal reports | Never used for efficacy claims | No |
Ownership
Compound Review is not owned or operated by any peptide vendor, including Purgo Labs. We do not sell peptides or take orders.
Affiliate Disclosure
We earn commissions on qualifying purchases made through partner links and partner codes. We have affiliate agreements with several vendors; each partner is marked as a partner on the scoreboard and on its own pages.
No Paid Scores
No vendor can pay for a score, a band or a ranking position. Scores come from the same public rubric for every vendor, partner or not, and change only when the evidence changes.
Editorial Independence
Partners have no editorial input. Negative findings, complaints and failed checks are published for partners and non-partners alike.
Peptide research moves quickly. We maintain the following update schedule to ensure content accuracy:
| Content Type | Review Frequency | Trigger for Immediate Update |
|---|---|---|
| Compound profiles | Quarterly | New Phase 2+ trial data, FDA action, significant safety signal |
| Comparison guides | Semi-annually | New head-to-head trial data, mechanism revision in primary literature |
| Vendor scores and reviews | Monthly re-read | New certificate, closure, policy change, or a correction with evidence |
| Partner prices | Weekly | Sale started or ended, stock change |
Email hello@compoundreview.com for corrections, vendor evidence, partnership questions or anything else about the site.
What helps us check a correction quickly
Scores change only when the evidence changes. Contacting us, partnering with us or paying us never changes a score on its own. When we change a finding, the page shows the new date.
All content on Compound Review is for educational and research purposes only. The compounds discussed on this site are not FDA-approved for the indications described. Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before considering any peptide protocol. Research peptides are intended for laboratory research use only and are not intended for human consumption.