The Peptides No One Is Talking About (And Why I’m Fascinated by Them)
I’ve been spending a lot of time lately looking into peptides and trying new ones myself. Specifically, the quieter peptides that support how the body actually works. The kind that don’t push or stimulate, but instead help systems communicate better, adapt more gracefully, and recover more efficiently. Those are the ones that really hold my attention, especially when the conversation is about aging well, not fighting age, but supporting the body as it changes.
Three peptides in particular keep coming up for me: MOXY, also known as MOTS-C, Thymosin Alpha, and DSIP. Each one supports a different foundational system, metabolism, immunity, and sleep, and together they paint a much more interesting picture of what pro aging support can actually look like.
MOXY, or MOTS-C, fascinates me because it starts at the cellular level, specifically inside the mitochondria. That alone makes it unique. Our mitochondria are responsible for energy production, metabolic efficiency, and how resilient our cells are under stress, which is why I almost always bring the conversation back to mitochondrial health when someone tells me they feel tired, stuck, or off despite doing “all the right things.” This peptide helps regulate how the body uses glucose and manages energy, not by stimulating your metabolism necessarily, but by improving its efficiency at the cellular level – this allows for lasting change that won’t be dependent on the peptide. Research suggests it plays a role in insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility, and what’s especially interesting is that MOTS-C levels decline with age. To me, that makes this peptide far more relevant than anything that just forces energy or suppresses appetite.
Then there’s Thymosin Alpha, which is for your immune system. This peptide supports the thymus, an organ that plays a central role in immune development and function but naturally shrinks as we age. Thymosin Alpha has been studied for its ability to support immune regulation rather than immune stimulation, which is an important distinction. A healthy immune system isn’t one that’s constantly on high alert, it’s one that knows how to respond appropriately and then return to balance. Research shows Thymosin Alpha supports T cell function, immune communication, and inflammatory regulation, which makes it particularly interesting for people dealing with chronic stress, recovery from illness, or simply wanting to maintain immune resilience over time. From a pro aging perspective, this kind of support matters far more than trying to “boost” immunity in a way that can actually even backfire.
Sleep is the third peptide I’m monitoring at the moment, and DSIP (or Delta Sleep Inducing Peptide) is one of the most intriguing sleep support peptides I’ve come across. It doesn’t act like a sedative, it works with the body’s natural circadian rhythm and appears to support slow wave sleep, the deep, restorative phase that’s essential for hormone regulation, tissue repair, nervous system health, and metabolic balance. As we age, deep sleep naturally declines (you probably didn’t need me to tell you that…) and that decline affects everything from blood sugar regulation to inflammation and mood. DSIP has been studied for its role in sleep architecture and stress hormone regulation, which helps explain why people can sleep longer yet still wake up feeling unrested. This peptide isn’t about just knocking you out.
These three peptides align so closely with how I think about aging. It’s not about chasing youth or relying on shortcuts. It’s about supporting metabolism, immunity, and sleep in a way that respects the body’s intelligence. Of course, peptides are never a replacement for foundational habits. They don’t override poor sleep, chronic stress, inflammatory food choices, or a disregulated nervous system. And they’re not something to explore without proper guidance, lab work, and a practitioner who understands your full health picture. But as the research continues to evolve, I believe these quieter peptides will become an important part of how we think about longevity and vitality!
Elissa Goodman is one of LA's premiere Cleanse Experts and Holistic Nutritionists focused on helping fight cancers through transformative lifestyle and diet changes. In this column, Elissa offers wisdom on nutrition, how to support a healthy immune system, and more.