Answers to the most common questions researchers ask about purchasing, quality, compliance, and handling of research peptides from AminoForge.
Legal & Compliance
Are research peptides legal to buy in the United States?
At the federal level, purchasing research peptides sold under a Research-Use-Only (RUO) designation for legitimate scientific research is generally legal, provided the compounds are not scheduled controlled substances and are not being purchased for human or veterinary use. Most research peptides are not scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act. State laws vary — purchasers are responsible for verifying legality in their jurisdiction. For a detailed breakdown, see our Is Buying Peptides Online Legal? guide.
What does RUO (Research-Use-Only) mean?
Research-Use-Only is an FDA-recognized designation indicating that a product is sold exclusively for laboratory research purposes and has not been evaluated or approved for diagnostic, therapeutic, or clinical use in humans or animals. RUO compounds are laboratory reagents — not drugs, not supplements. Purchasing under RUO status represents that you are a qualified researcher purchasing for legitimate scientific research in a controlled environment. See our full RUO Compliance & Policies page for complete details.
Can I buy peptides if I’m not a professional researcher?
AminoForge requires all purchasers to represent that they are qualified researchers, scientists, or licensed professionals purchasing for legitimate scientific research, and that they are at least 21 years of age. We do not sell to individuals purchasing for personal use or self-administration.
Are AminoForge products FDA approved?
No. AminoForge products are sold as RUO laboratory reagents and have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA for use in humans or animals. They are not drugs and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.
Do you ship internationally?
AminoForge currently ships domestically within the United States. Research peptide legality varies significantly by country — international researchers should consult their national regulatory frameworks before attempting to import research compounds.
Quality & Purity
How do I verify the quality of research peptides?
Quality verification requires two things: HPLC purity data confirming the compound is ≥99% pure, and mass spectrometry identity confirmation verifying the molecular weight matches the target compound. Both should be documented in a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from an independent third-party analytical laboratory. For a complete guide to reading COAs and understanding HPLC and mass spec data, see our How to Verify Peptide Purity guide.
Where can I find AminoForge COAs?
All AminoForge COAs are available for download on our Certificate of Analysis page — before you order. We believe COA availability before purchase is a basic transparency standard every research supplier should meet.
What does ≥99% purity actually mean?
HPLC purity of ≥99% means the target compound represents at least 99% of the detectable material in the sample — measured as a percentage of total HPLC peak area. The remaining ≤1% consists of synthesis impurities, truncated sequences, oxidation products, or other minor contaminants that fall below the detection threshold for individual reporting. This purity standard is consistent with pharmaceutical-grade analytical specifications and is the research community benchmark for research-grade compounds.
What is a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?
A COA is a document from the analytical laboratory that tested a specific lot of a compound, reporting its purity (by HPLC), identity (by mass spectrometry), lot number, and testing date. A legitimate COA should identify the testing laboratory (ideally a third party independent from the manufacturer), provide the actual HPLC chromatogram or peak data, and provide the measured mass matching the theoretical molecular weight. COAs generated by the manufacturer without third-party verification should be treated with skepticism.
What does “USA manufactured” mean for research peptides?
AminoForge compounds are synthesized in US-based facilities operating under quality management systems appropriate for research reagent production. US manufacturing allows direct oversight of production standards and supply chain integrity, reducing risks of adulteration or substitution that can occur with overseas-sourced compounds of unknown provenance.
Ordering & Shipping
How are peptides shipped?
AminoForge ships lyophilized peptides at ambient temperature in sealed vials. Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptides are chemically stable at ambient temperature for shipping durations — the absence of aqueous solvent dramatically reduces degradation rates compared to reconstituted solutions. Orders are packaged to protect against mechanical damage. Orders placed before the daily cutoff ship within 48 hours.
Do peptides need to be refrigerated during shipping?
No. Lyophilized peptides are stable at ambient temperature for typical shipping durations (2–7 days). Cold-chain shipping is not required for lyophilized compounds and does not provide meaningful stability benefits for the transit period. Upon receipt, store at −20°C for long-term preservation.
What is your return policy?
See our Refund & Return Policy page for complete details on returns, exchanges, and refunds.
Research & Science
What are research peptides?
Research peptides are synthetic peptides sold under RUO designation for laboratory investigation of biological mechanisms. They are not drugs, not supplements, and not approved for human use — they are molecular tools for studying cellular and physiological processes in controlled research settings. For a complete introduction, see our What Are Research Peptides? guide.
How do I reconstitute a lyophilized peptide?
Generally, reconstitute lyophilized peptides with bacteriostatic water — the standard reconstitution solvent for research peptides. Certain hydrophobic peptides require a different solution and full research should be done prior to reconstitution. The reconstitution volume depends on the desired working concentration and the amount of peptide in the vial. Use our free peptide calculator for precise reconstitution math across 44 compounds and 6 solvents — no math required.
How should I store reconstituted peptides?
Store reconstituted peptide solutions at 2–8°C (refrigerator temperature), protected from light, and use within 4–6 weeks for most compounds reconstituted in bacteriostatic water. Aliquot into single-use volumes to minimize freeze-thaw cycling if longer storage is needed. For complete storage guidance backed by published stability data, see our Peptide Storage and Handling Guide.
What is bacteriostatic water and why is it used?
Bacteriostatic water is sterile water for injection containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which inhibits microbial growth in reconstituted solutions. This bacteriostatic property significantly extends the usable stability of reconstituted peptide solutions compared to plain sterile water — weeks rather than days. It is the research community standard for peptide reconstitution. AminoForge carries Hospira Bacteriostatic Water — the pharmaceutical-grade standard used in research laboratories.
What peptides pair with Bacteriostatic Water for research?
Bacteriostatic water is the reconstitution solvent for virtually all lyophilized research peptides. Commonly paired compounds include BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, MOTS-C, and all GLP-1 axis compounds. Use the peptide calculator for precise reconstitution volumes.
How do I know which peptides to research together?
Peptide research stack selection depends on the biological systems and mechanisms under investigation. Our Research Peptide Stacks guide covers the most commonly investigated compound combinations and the mechanistic rationale behind them. Individual compound research overview posts provide detailed guidance on mechanisms, research applications, and complementary compounds for each specific peptide in our catalog.
Still Have Questions?
Contact our conceirge team at support@aminoforge.vegas — we’re here to help researchers find the right compounds and quality documentation for their work.
All products sold by AminoForge are intended exclusively for laboratory and research purposes. Not for human or veterinary consumption. Researchers are responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing research compound use in their jurisdiction.