for educational and safety purposes
Everything in the wiki studied for fat loss and body recomposition; stimulant, metabolic, and modulatory routes side by side.
45 sourced · 29 reference
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant of the methylxanthine class and the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world. A purine alkaloid found naturally in coffee beans, tea leaves, cacao, and other plants, it is used to restore alertness, reduce fatigue, and sharpen concentration. It is legal and largely unregulated in most countries, and it also has established medical uses, including the treatment of apnea in premature infants.
Mirabegron, marketed as Myrbetriq, is the first beta-3 adrenergic receptor agonist approved for overactive bladder, where it relaxes the detrusor muscle without the dry mouth typical of antimuscarinic agents. It has attracted intense metabolic-research interest because beta-3 receptors are the principal activators of thermogenic brown adipose tissue; a landmark human study showed that a single dose stimulated brown fat and raised resting energy expenditure, and subsequent trials in obese adults reported improved insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis alongside beiging of white fat. The precise adrenergic pharmacology remains debated, with evidence that higher clinical doses may also recruit beta-2 receptors in human brown adipocytes. Pairing a well-characterized clinical safety record with a genuinely novel mechanism, it sits at the frontier of research into fat metabolism and metabolic health.
Orforglipron is a non-peptide, small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist taken as a once-daily pill. Eli Lilly is developing it (code LY3502970) for type 2 diabetes and obesity; it is not approved and remains in late-stage trials as of 2026. What makes it notable is the chemistry, not a new mechanism. Because it is a small molecule rather than a peptide, it is absorbed from the gut on its own, without an absorption enhancer and without the food and water restrictions that oral semaglutide requires. In phase 3 trials it lowered blood sugar and body weight meaningfully, though by less than the strongest injectables, with the gastrointestinal side effects typical of the class.
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist developed as a once-weekly injectable treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity. It is a synthetic 39-amino-acid peptide that activates two gut incretin hormone receptors at the same time, and it is marketed under the brand names Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for chronic weight management. First approved in the United States in 2022, it has since been authorized for obstructive sleep apnea and studied across a range of cardiometabolic conditions.
Retatrutide (development code LY3437943) is an investigational once-weekly injectable peptide that activates three gut and pancreatic hormone receptors at once: the GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptors. Developed by Eli Lilly, it is being studied for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease. In a Phase 2 obesity trial it produced substantial weight loss, and it has advanced into Phase 3 testing.
Tesofensine is a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor, originally investigated for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, that produced some of the largest weight losses reported for an appetite-suppressing drug. By simultaneously blocking the reuptake of dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin it curbs hunger and increases satiety, and it additionally silences appetite-driving GABAergic neurons in the hypothalamus. In a phase 2 obesity trial it produced weight loss roughly twice that of the obesity medications approved at the time, though that trial has carried an expression of concern over its adverse-effect reporting since 2013; it remains investigational, with cardiovascular effects among the safety considerations.
Cardarine (GW501516) is a selective PPAR-delta agonist prized in research for its dramatic effects on endurance and fat metabolism. In animal studies it reprograms muscle toward fat-burning, oxidative fibers and markedly extends running capacity, earning it the nickname exercise mimetic. It remains one of the most studied metabolic research chemicals for endurance and lipid science.
5-Amino/MIC is a combination formulation that pairs the NNMT inhibitor 5-Amino-1MQ with the classic lipotropic trio MIC, namely methionine, inositol, and choline. It is designed to attack body fat from two directions at once; 5-Amino-1MQ reprograms fat-cell metabolism by raising NAD, while the MIC lipotropics support the liver's handling and export of fat. Popular in physique and weight-management circles, it bundles a modern metabolic target with time-tested fat-metabolism cofactors in a single stack.
Lipo MIC Prime is a lipotropic injectable that combines the classic MIC nutrients (methionine, inositol, and choline) with L-carnitine and vitamin B12 to support fat metabolism and energy during weight management. The MIC compounds help the liver process and export fat, L-carnitine ferries fatty acids into the mitochondria to be burned, and B12 supports energy production and methylation. Bundling several complementary metabolic cofactors into one formulation, it is a convenient, nutrient-based adjunct to a diet-and-exercise program.
Lipo-MIC + NAD+ is a lipotropic injectable that pairs the fat-metabolizing MIC nutrients (methionine, inositol, and choline) with NAD+, the coenzyme at the center of cellular energy production. The MIC compounds help the liver package and export fat rather than store it, while NAD+ fuels mitochondrial energy metabolism and activates sirtuins involved in fat handling. Combining lipid support with a foundational energy coenzyme, it is a modern take on the classic lipotropic injection for those pursuing fat loss and vitality.
Lipo-Nex is a lipotropic injectable built around a high-carnitine base combined with choline, inositol, yohimbine, ATP, and vitamin B12, formulated to support fat mobilization and energy. L-carnitine shuttles fatty acids into the mitochondria to be burned, while yohimbine blocks the alpha-2 adrenoceptors that normally restrain fat release, an effect most pronounced in stubborn areas and in the fasted state. With its added stimulant character from yohimbine, Lipo-Nex is a targeted option for those seeking assertive metabolic and fat-mobilization support.
1,3-DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine, methylhexanamine) is a potent aliphatic amine stimulant that defined the golden era of hardcore pre-workouts, prized for driving energy, appetite suppression, and razor focus. Originally patented in the 1940s as a nasal decongestant, it delivers an amphetamine-adjacent lift through indirect adrenergic stimulation and a distinctive vasoconstrictive edge. Its reputation as one of the most intense stimulants ever sold in sports nutrition kept demand high even as regulators moved to restrict it.
1,4-DMAA (1,4-dimethylamylamine) is an experimental aliphatic amine stimulant that emerged as a next-generation successor to the banned 1,3-DMAA, marketed for the same hard-hitting pre-workout energy and focus. As a positional isomer of the classic DMAA molecule, it gives formulators a structurally distinct route to intense adrenergic stimulation. It remains a rare, sought-after ingredient in a handful of underground sports and weight-loss products, appealing to enthusiasts chasing the original DMAA experience.
Amlexanox is a small-molecule anti-inflammatory long approved as a topical paste for aphthous ulcers, now repurposed in research as a selective inhibitor of the noncanonical inflammatory kinases IKKe and TBK1. By blocking these kinases it raises energy expenditure and has produced weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and reduced fatty liver in obese mice, with a human trial showing improved glucose control in a responsive subgroup [1][2]. This dual identity, an established ulcer drug with an emerging metabolic mechanism, makes it one of the more intriguing drug-repurposing candidates in metabolic research.
Andarine (S-4) is a non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator derived from arylpropionamide chemistry that binds the androgen receptor with high affinity yet acts in a tissue-selective manner. In castrated and ovariectomized rodents it restored skeletal muscle mass and strength, raised bone mineral density, and reduced body fat while stimulating the prostate and seminal vesicles far less than dihydrotestosterone; this partial-agonist behavior in androgenic organs versus full-agonist activity in muscle and bone defines the SARM concept. Its favorable pharmacokinetics, including high oral bioavailability and predominantly hepatic phase I and II metabolism, once positioned it as a clinical candidate for muscle wasting and osteoporosis. It was never approved for human use, however, and is prohibited in sport, so it is documented largely through preclinical pharmacology and anti-doping detection studies rather than clinical trials.
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide fragment of human growth hormone, corresponding to the C-terminal lipolytic domain (residues 176-191) with an added tyrosine, engineered to trigger fat breakdown without the blood-sugar and growth side effects of full growth hormone. In obese animals it reduced body weight and body fat and increased fat oxidation, while notably not impairing insulin sensitivity the way intact growth hormone does [1][3]. It is marketed as a fat-loss and recovery peptide, though it never gained approval as an anti-obesity drug and its human weight-loss data are limited [4].
Cagrilintide is a next-generation, long-acting amylin analogue engineered for once-weekly dosing and sustained appetite control. In clinical trials it has driven substantial weight loss on its own and even greater results when paired with semaglutide, placing it among the most promising agents in modern metabolic medicine. For those pursuing serious, science-backed weight management, cagrilintide represents a genuinely novel and powerful mechanism.
Chromium picolinate is a coordination compound of trivalent chromium and picolinic acid that is sold as a dietary supplement. It is promoted mainly for blood sugar control, body composition, and weight management, on the premise that chromium supports the action of insulin. Systematic reviews of clinical trials have generally found the supporting evidence weak and inconsistent, and no chromium deficiency state is recognized in otherwise healthy people.
CL-316243 is a highly selective beta3-adrenergic receptor agonist and one of the most widely used research tools for studying fat loss, thermogenesis, and the browning of white fat. In animal models it powerfully triggers lipolysis, boosts energy expenditure, and improves glucose control. For metabolic and adipose tissue research, CL-316243 is a gold-standard beta3 agonist.
Dulaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a type of injectable medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes and to lower cardiovascular risk. Marketed by Eli Lilly under the brand name Trulicity and approved in 2014, it is a long-acting drug given as a once-weekly injection under the skin. It mimics a natural gut hormone that prompts the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar is high, while also curbing appetite. In addition to improving blood sugar control, it has been shown to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.
EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is the most abundant and most studied catechin in green tea, a flavonoid polyphenol that accounts for much of the leaf's reputation for health. It is a strong antioxidant and metabolic modulator that shows up in the research on fat oxidation, cardiovascular and metabolic health, inflammation, and longevity. Most of its effects are hormetic (a mild stress the body adapts to), and the honest catch is that isolated high-dose EGCG on an empty stomach carries a rare liver-injury signal, so it is best taken with food.
Empagliflozin is an oral medication of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor class, used to treat type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. It acts in the kidneys, causing the body to pass excess glucose out in the urine, and in large trials it has reduced cardiovascular death and hospitalizations for heart failure. It is taken once daily and is sold under the brand name Jardiance.
Forskolin is a natural compound belonging to the labdane diterpenes, extracted from the roots of the Indian coleus plant (Plectranthus barbatus, also known as Coleus forskohlii). It is best known in biology as a laboratory tool because it directly switches on the enzyme adenylyl cyclase, raising cellular levels of the messenger molecule cAMP. The plant has a history in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, and forskolin is also sold as a dietary supplement, often marketed for weight loss, though the evidence for that use is weak. In research it is prized for its ability to raise cAMP in almost any cell without needing a specific receptor.
Guarana is a climbing plant native to the Amazon basin, classified as Paullinia cupana in the soapberry family Sapindaceae, whose seeds are prized for an unusually high caffeine content. Indigenous peoples of the region, including the Sateré-Mawé, have long processed the seeds into a dried paste used to brew a stimulating beverage. Today the seed powder and its extracts are used chiefly as a caffeine source in soft drinks, energy drinks, and dietary supplements.
GW-0742 is a potent PPAR-delta agonist and a close cousin of Cardarine, sitting right at the center of the "exercise in a bottle" conversation in metabolic research. By switching on the genes for fat burning and mitochondrial fuel use, it makes muscle lean on fat and spare glycogen, and in rodents the endurance and fat-loss numbers are genuinely eye-catching. As a proof of concept for activating the body's fat-burning machinery, GW-0742 is a fascinating and closely watched research compound.
HGH Fragment 176-191 is the C-terminal lipolytic region of human growth hormone, isolated to keep the fat-burning action while shedding the hormone's growth and blood-sugar effects [1][2]. In obese animal models this fragment, developed clinically as AOD9604, reduces body weight and body fat, boosts fat oxidation, and stimulates lipolysis without raising blood glucose or acting through the growth hormone receptor [1][2][3]. It is this clean separation of fat metabolism from classic GH signaling that has made the fragment a focused research tool for obesity [3][4].
Liraglutide is an acylated glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist given by once-daily subcutaneous injection, marketed as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and as Saxenda at higher dose for weight management. By activating GLP-1 receptors it augments glucose-dependent insulin secretion with low hypoglycemia risk, and its weight-lowering effect is attributed mainly to central appetite suppression rather than the more transient slowing of gastric emptying, which is subject to desensitization. Beyond glycemic control, the LEADER cardiovascular outcomes trial showed that liraglutide reduced major adverse cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes, and further study demonstrated histological resolution of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. These extra-pancreatic actions across the cardiovascular, hepatic, and central nervous systems have positioned it as a foundational agent in the incretin therapeutic class.
Mazdutide (IBI362, LY3305677) is an investigational once-weekly peptide that simultaneously activates the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucagon receptors, a dual-agonist design intended to combine appetite suppression and improved glycemic control from the GLP-1 arm with increased energy expenditure and hepatic lipid handling from the glucagon arm. In Chinese phase 3 obesity trials it produced substantial, dose-dependent weight loss, with the GLORY-2 study reporting roughly 16 percent mean body-weight reduction at the 9 mg dose, alongside favorable changes in blood pressure and lipids. In type 2 diabetes it lowered glycated hemoglobin and body weight more than the GLP-1 monotherapy dulaglutide, and it improved fatty liver and cardiometabolic markers. Gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common adverse events, consistent with its incretin mechanism.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a class of drug that mimics a natural gut hormone to lower blood sugar and reduce appetite. Developed by Novo Nordisk, it is used to treat type 2 diabetes and, at higher doses, obesity and overweight, and it has been shown to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events. It is marketed as Ozempic and Rybelsus for diabetes and as Wegovy for weight management, given as a weekly injection or, in one form, an oral tablet.
Sibutramine is a centrally acting appetite suppressant withdrawn from most of the world in 2010 for cardiovascular harm and still sold in Russia as Reduxin.
Sobetirome, also known as GC-1, is a synthetic thyromimetic, a drug designed to mimic thyroid hormone while selectively activating the beta subtype of the thyroid hormone receptor. It was first developed to lower cholesterol without the heart-related effects of natural thyroid hormone, and it is now studied mainly for its ability to promote remyelination in the central nervous system. It remains an investigational compound and is not an approved medicine.
SR-9009, also known as Stenabolic, is a synthetic agonist of the nuclear receptors REV-ERB-alpha and REV-ERB-beta, core repressive components of the circadian clock that link the body's timekeeping to metabolism. By activating REV-ERB, it reprograms clock and metabolic gene expression across the hypothalamus, liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue; in mice it increases energy expenditure, reduces fat mass, improves dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia, alters sleep architecture, and raises mitochondrial content and endurance capacity through the Rev-erb-alpha to LKB1-AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1alpha pathway. Pharmacological REV-ERB activation has also proven selectively lethal to cancer cells and oncogene-induced senescent cells by suppressing autophagy and de novo lipogenesis. Studies using conditional REV-ERB knockouts have shown that some of SR-9009's actions persist without the receptors, indicating REV-ERB-independent off-target effects and reinforcing its status as a research tool rather than an approved therapeutic.
SR-9011 is a synthetic agonist of the REV-ERB nuclear receptors and a close structural analogue of SR-9009. Acting on these circadian clock receptors, it reprograms fuel metabolism across the day, and in rodents it raises energy expenditure and fat oxidation while reducing body weight. It is widely used as a research tool for dissecting how the body clock connects to metabolism, immunity, sleep, and cell proliferation.
T2 (3,5-diiodothyronine) is a naturally occurring thyroid hormone metabolite prized as a metabolism-boosting compound for its ability to accelerate fat burning without the classic thyrotoxic baggage of stronger thyroid hormones. It works directly at the mitochondrial level to raise energy expenditure, drive hepatic fat oxidation, and counter diet-induced fat gain. In a small human trial it lifted resting metabolic rate and trimmed body weight while leaving TSH and thyroid hormone levels untouched, making it a standout among metabolic support compounds.
Yohimbine is an indole alkaloid obtained mainly from the bark of the West African tree Pausinystalia johimbe (yohimbe). Pharmacologically it acts chiefly as an antagonist of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, and it has a long history as a purported aphrodisiac and a treatment for erectile dysfunction. It is available in some countries as a prescription drug and elsewhere as a dietary supplement, though its stimulant-like cardiovascular effects and inconsistent product quality have raised safety concerns.
SLU-PP-915 is an orally active, chemically distinct pan-agonist of the estrogen-related receptors (ERR-alpha, beta, and gamma) and the successor to SLU-PP-332, engineered as a next-generation exercise mimetic. Activating these master regulators of endurance metabolism, it raises aerobic capacity, mitochondrial gene expression, and fat oxidation in animal studies, and it synergizes with actual exercise training. Its key advance over the earlier compound is oral bioavailability, making it a far more practical tool for chronic study of pharmacological exercise.
Deoxycholic acid is a secondary bile acid, a steroid acid produced when gut bacteria act on the primary bile acids made by the liver. In the body it helps emulsify dietary fats so they can be absorbed, and in the laboratory its detergent properties are used to break open cells and dissolve membrane proteins. A purified synthetic form is used as an injectable medicine, sold as Kybella and Belkyra, to reduce moderate fat beneath the chin, where it destroys fat cells on contact. It was approved for this cosmetic use in 2015.
Orlistat is a weight-loss medication that works in the gut rather than the brain, reducing the amount of dietary fat the body absorbs. It belongs to the class of lipase inhibitors, blocking the enzymes that break down fat so that a portion of the fat eaten passes through undigested. Developed by Hoffmann-La Roche and approved in 1999, it is sold as the prescription product Xenical and, at a lower strength, as the over-the-counter product Alli, and it remains one of the few medicines specifically approved for long-term weight management.
Survodutide is an investigational once-weekly glucagon receptor and GLP-1 receptor dual agonist positioned at the frontier of next-generation metabolic therapeutics. By engaging two complementary pathways, it pairs powerful appetite suppression with increased energy expenditure to drive substantial weight reduction and striking improvements in liver health. In phase 2 and phase 3 trials it delivered double-digit body weight loss and reversed steatohepatitis in a majority of treated participants, marking it as one of the most closely watched dual agonists in development.
5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a selective, orally active small-molecule inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), the metabolic enzyme increasingly targeted for fat loss and metabolic health. By blocking NNMT it raises cellular NAD and shifts fat cells toward burning rather than storing energy, which in preclinical work translated into reduced body weight, smaller fat cells, and lower cholesterol without suppressing appetite. It has become one of the most talked-about research compounds in the metabolic and longevity space.
BAM15 is a mitochondrial uncoupler, a protonophore that dissipates the mitochondrial proton gradient so cells burn more fuel and expend more energy without suppressing appetite. Its defining advantage over older uncouplers such as 2,4-dinitrophenol is selectivity: it shuttles protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane without depolarizing the plasma membrane, giving it a much wider safety window, and it also activates the energy sensor AMPK. In preclinical studies it reversed diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance, reduced body and liver fat, and improved glycemic control while preserving lean mass and food intake; it remains an investigational agent.
Clenbuterol is used for fat loss, and that is the only reason most people encounter it, so it is worth being direct about what the evidence supports. It is a long-acting beta-2 agonist licensed in some countries as an asthma bronchodilator and widely used in veterinary medicine; it raises metabolic rate and drives lipolysis, and in livestock and rodents it reliably shifts body composition toward lean mass [32][31]. What is missing is the human version of that result. There is no controlled trial showing clenbuterol produces meaningful fat loss in healthy people, while there is a systematic review of case reports documenting what it does produce: tachycardia, arrhythmia, myocarditis and hospital admissions [14]. The gap between those two literatures is the whole story.
L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring quaternary ammonium compound that the body builds from the amino acids lysine and methionine. It plays a central part in energy metabolism by ferrying long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane, where they are broken down to release energy. Present in the highest amounts in red meat and other animal foods and also made internally, it is used medically to treat carnitine deficiency and is widely sold as a dietary supplement for heart, metabolic, and exercise-related purposes.
SLU-PP-332 is the founding compound of the estrogen-related receptor (ERR) agonist class of exercise mimetics, a synthetic pan-agonist with the highest potency for ERR-alpha. By activating the nuclear receptors that master mitochondrial metabolism, it switches on a genetic program resembling acute aerobic exercise, boosting endurance, mitochondrial function, and fat oxidation in animal models. It is the molecule that opened the door to pharmacologically capturing the benefits of exercise.
T3, sold generically as liothyronine, is a synthetic form of triiodothyronine, the most metabolically active thyroid hormone. It is prescribed for hypothyroidism and the severe state known as myxedema coma, to prepare thyroid-cancer patients for radioiodine treatment, and at times as an add-on to antidepressant therapy. Relative to the storage hormone thyroxine, it acts faster and more powerfully but for a shorter time.
Acipimox is a synthetic derivative of nicotinic acid (niacin) used as a lipid-lowering medication. It is prescribed mainly to lower elevated triglycerides and, to a lesser degree, to raise HDL cholesterol in people with certain forms of hyperlipidemia. Marketed in parts of Europe under the trade name Olbetam, it is generally regarded as having a milder side-effect profile than niacin itself.
Adiponectin is a protein hormone secreted mainly by fat cells that helps regulate blood sugar and the breakdown of fatty acids. Encoded by the ADIPOQ gene, it is one of the most abundant hormones in human blood and improves the body's sensitivity to insulin while exerting anti-inflammatory effects. Unusually for a fat-derived hormone, its levels tend to fall rather than rise with obesity, and low levels are linked to type 2 diabetes and metabolic disease.
Adipotide, also known as prohibitin-targeting peptide-1, is an experimental peptide designed to cause weight loss by destroying the blood supply of white fat. It works by homing to the vasculature that feeds fat tissue and triggering the death of those blood vessels, which starves the surrounding fat cells. Developed in academic cancer-research laboratories, it produced rapid weight loss in obese mice and monkeys but remains investigational and has not been approved for human use.
Albiglutide is an injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that was used to treat type 2 diabetes. Given once weekly under the brand names Tanzeum and Eperzan, it mimics the natural incretin hormone GLP-1 to lower blood sugar. Developed by GlaxoSmithKline, it was approved in 2014 but withdrawn from the market worldwide in 2018 for commercial reasons rather than safety concerns.
Amfecloral (INN; amphecloral USAN) is an obsolete mid-twentieth-century anorectic formed by condensing dextroamphetamine with chloral (trichloroacetaldehyde) to give a Schiff base, 2,2,2-trichloro-N-(1-phenylpropan-2-yl)ethanimine. It is effectively a dual-action prodrug: hydrolysis in the body regenerates dextroamphetamine, a monoamine-releasing central stimulant and appetite suppressant, together with chloral, whose reduction product trichloroethanol is a sedative-hypnotic that positively modulates GABA-A receptors [1][5]. The design intent was to pair an amphetamine 'up' with a GABAergic 'down' so that the sedative moiety would blunt the stimulant jitter while the anorectic effect persisted. Marketed briefly as Acutran, it was withdrawn in the early 1970s and is no longer a medicine.
ATHX-105 was an investigational, highly selective serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonist developed by Athersys as an oral appetite suppressant for obesity.
Banaba leaf extract is a botanical extract from the leaves of Lagerstroemia speciosa, a flowering tree of the family Lythraceae native to tropical Asia, also known as giant crepe-myrtle or pride of India. Long used as a leaf tea in Southeast Asian folk medicine for lowering blood sugar, the extract is valued for two main constituents, the triterpene corosolic acid and a group of ellagitannins. It is marketed as a dietary supplement for blood-sugar and metabolic support, with most supporting evidence coming from animal studies and small human trials.
CagriSema is an investigational fixed-dose combination medicine that pairs cagrilintide, a long-acting amylin analogue, with semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Developed by Novo Nordisk and given as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection, it is being studied as a treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes. In late-stage trials the combination produced substantial weight loss and improved blood-sugar control, and as of 2026 it remains under regulatory review rather than approved.
Chitosan is a natural linear polysaccharide made by chemically modifying chitin, the tough material found in the shells of shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans, as well as in fungal cell walls [1][2]. Produced by removing acetyl groups from chitin, it is biodegradable, biocompatible, and carries a positive charge in acidic conditions, properties that have made it useful across agriculture, water treatment, wound care, and drug delivery [1][2]. It is also sold as a dietary supplement marketed for weight loss and cholesterol control, although the clinical evidence for those uses is weak [1][3].
Chlorogenic acid is a natural polyphenol, formed as an ester of caffeic acid and quinic acid, that is found in many plants and is especially abundant in coffee [1][2]. Despite its name it contains no chlorine; the term refers to the light green tint it forms when oxidized [1]. It is one of the main phenolic compounds in the human diet, obtained from coffee, fruits, and vegetables, and standardized green coffee extracts rich in it are sold as supplements for weight and metabolic health [1][3]. Laboratory work points to antioxidant activity, and some clinical studies suggest modest effects on blood pressure and metabolism, but the overall evidence remains preliminary [1][3][4].
Chlorphentermine is a discontinued appetite suppressant, the para-chloro version of phentermine; adding a chlorine to the ring flips its character from a norepinephrine releaser toward a serotonin releaser, making it a less stimulating, more serotonergic anorectic. It was withdrawn because serotonergic appetite suppressants of its era turned out to damage heart valves and the lungs.
Cinnamon extract is a concentrated, standardized preparation made from the bark of Cinnamomum trees, intended to deliver the spice's active compounds in supplement form. It is used mainly for blood sugar and metabolic support, and depending on the extraction method it may concentrate the water-soluble polyphenols while reducing the fat-soluble compound coumarin. Clinical results for glucose control are modest and inconsistent.
CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is a family of naturally occurring fatty acids that are isomers of linoleic acid, found mainly in the meat and dairy of ruminant animals such as cattle and sheep. It is sold as a dietary supplement marketed for fat loss and body composition, based largely on animal studies. In humans the evidence is mixed, with only modest effects on body fat at best.
E-6837 is a selective, high-affinity serotonin 5-HT6 receptor ligand developed at Laboratorios Dr. Esteve that behaves as a partial agonist at the rat receptor and a full agonist at the constitutively active human receptor. Unlike the cognition-focused members of its class, E-6837 is best known for a metabolic action: in diet-induced obese rats, chronic dosing produced sustained hypophagia and weight loss with an improved metabolic profile. Its weight-loss efficacy exceeded that of the reference drug sibutramine while causing less rebound weight regain. It remains a preclinical compound illustrating the appetite-regulating role of central 5-HT6 signaling.
Eloralintide is an injectable amylin-receptor agonist from Eli Lilly, in phase 3 for obesity. It is a modified 37-residue amylin analogue carrying a C20 fatty diacid that binds albumin and stretches its half-life to roughly two weeks, allowing weekly dosing with an unusually flat blood level [2]. What distinguishes it from the other amylin drugs is a deliberate attempt at receptor selectivity: it is about twelve-fold more potent at the amylin 1 receptor than at the calcitonin receptor in human cells [1]. In a 48-week phase 2 trial it produced up to 20 percent weight loss [3].
Evodiamine is a naturally occurring alkaloid extracted from the fruit of Evodia (Tetradium ruticarpum), a plant long used in traditional Chinese medicine. Chemically it is an indole alkaloid and one of the plant's major bioactive constituents. It has been studied in laboratory and animal research for a range of effects, including thermogenic and anti-obesity actions resembling those of capsaicin and anticancer activity, and it is sold as an ingredient in some dietary supplements. Its effects and safety in humans, however, have not been well established.
Exenatide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes. It is a synthetic version of exendin-4, a peptide first identified in the saliva of the Gila monster, and is sold under the brand names Byetta and Bydureon. By mimicking the gut hormone GLP-1, it prompts insulin release when glucose is high while curbing appetite and slowing digestion.
Fucoxanthin is a natural orange-brown pigment of the carotenoid family, found in brown seaweeds and in the microscopic algae called diatoms. In these organisms it is a light-harvesting pigment, capturing light energy for photosynthesis and giving brown algae their characteristic colour. It has been studied for a variety of possible health effects, most notably antioxidant activity and a role in fat metabolism, and it is sold as a dietary supplement made from brown seaweed. Its usefulness in people is limited by its low absorption from the gut.
Irisin is a hormone-like protein, or myokine, that is released from skeletal muscle during exercise. It is produced when physical activity prompts muscle cells to cleave a membrane protein called FNDC5, freeing irisin into the blood, where it is best known for encouraging white fat to take on the calorie-burning properties of brown fat. Discovered in 2012, irisin is an active area of metabolic research rather than a medicine, and both its measurement and its importance in humans have been subjects of scientific debate.
Norephedrine is a minor metabolite of amphetamine and, under its other name phenylpropanolamine, a drug that was in half the medicine cabinets in America. It was sold for decades as a decongestant and an over-the-counter appetite suppressant, and it was withdrawn after a case-control study found it associated with haemorrhagic stroke, with the risk concentrated in women and appearing in first-time users of the appetite-suppressant form [1]. It is the clearest example on this site of a compound whose long, uneventful record of ordinary use was not evidence of safety, only evidence that nobody had looked properly.
Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is a naturally occurring lipid molecule that acts as a satiety signal in the body. It is the ethanolamide of oleic acid, a member of the fatty acid ethanolamide family that also includes the endocannabinoid anandamide, though OEA works through different pathways. Produced in the small intestine in response to eating fat, it reduces appetite and food intake mainly by activating the nuclear receptor PPAR-alpha. It has been studied extensively in relation to feeding, body weight, and obesity, and is sold as a dietary supplement.
Petrelintide is a long-acting amylin analogue from Zealand Pharma, in phase 2 for obesity and partnered with Roche. It is built on the human amylin backbone rather than the rat sequence pramlintide uses, with a lactam bridge replacing the native disulfide and a C20 diacid for albumin binding, giving a half-life of about ten days [1][2]. ⚠️ It is widely described as a selective amylin analogue, and its sponsor's own data show it is not: it is equally potent at the calcitonin receptor [1].
Phentermine is a prescription appetite-suppressant stimulant and the most widely prescribed weight-loss drug; it is an amphetamine relative that curbs hunger by triggering the release of norepinephrine (and, more weakly, dopamine) in the brain, which the hypothalamus reads as fullness. It is used short-term for obesity, often paired with topiramate as the combination drug Qsymia.
Pramlintide is a synthetic analogue of amylin, a peptide hormone released by the pancreas alongside insulin after meals. Given by injection at mealtimes, it is used together with insulin to improve blood-sugar control in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, chiefly by blunting the sharp rise in glucose that follows eating. Marketed as Symlin, it was approved by the United States FDA in 2005 and was the first new agent for lowering blood sugar in type 1 diabetes since insulin itself.
Pyruvic acid is the simplest alpha-keto acid, a small organic molecule whose conjugate base, pyruvate, sits at a central crossroads of cellular energy metabolism. It is the end product of glycolysis, the pathway that breaks down glucose, and from there it can feed the citric acid cycle for aerobic energy production, be converted back into glucose, or be turned into lactate when oxygen is scarce. Salts such as calcium pyruvate are also sold as dietary supplements marketed for weight loss and exercise performance, although controlled studies have generally not supported those claims.
The first CB1 cannabinoid-receptor blocker; a withdrawn anti-obesity drug (Acomplia) that curbed appetite and cleaned up metabolic markers, but was pulled worldwide for serious psychiatric risk.
Spexin, also called neuropeptide Q, is a small 14-amino-acid peptide discovered by bioinformatics and later shown to be an endogenous ligand of galanin receptors 2 and 3, part of a shared spexin, galanin, and kisspeptin family. It is broadly expressed across endocrine and nervous tissue and functions as a regulatory adipokine, with circulating levels reduced in obesity and linked to metabolic and inflammatory markers. Spexin also stimulates gastrointestinal motility through galanin receptor 2 and has been associated with appetite, cardiovascular, reproductive, and mood-related functions. It is an endogenous peptide of growing translational interest.
UBT-251 is an injectable peptide developed by United Bio-Technology in Hengqin and licensed to Novo Nordisk, described as a triple agonist at the GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors. ⚠️ It has no peer-reviewed literature of any kind. Eleven trials are registered, including three phase 3 studies, and not one journal publication exists; there is no published sequence, no structure, no receptor potency and no reported trial result. That combination is the most important thing to know about it.
Zylofuramine (WIN 25873) is a mid-twentieth-century central nervous system stimulant belonging to the alpha-benzyltetrahydrofurfurylamine series, specifically the d-threo alpha-benzyl-N-ethyl tetrahydrofurfurylamine isomer [1]. It was investigated as a psychomotor stimulant and appetite suppressant during an era of intensive research into amphetamine alternatives. The published pharmacological record is sparse, consisting largely of the original characterization of the chemical series [1], and the compound is now encountered only as an obscure research chemical.
