Recovery & repair
TB-500
Thymosin Beta-4 fragment · TB4 · 43-aa · actin
A thymosin beta-4 derivative discussed alongside BPC-157 for recovery — preclinical evidence, no human approval.
Reference status
Editorial research · independent review pending · 3 claims graded
What it is
TB-500 is a synthetic version of a region of Thymosin Beta-4, a naturally occurring peptide involved in cell migration and blood-vessel formation. It is popularly stacked with BPC-157 for injury recovery.
As with BPC-157, the compelling data is preclinical. Thymosin Beta-4 itself has been studied in some human trials (e.g. for dry eye and cardiac injury), but 'TB-500' as sold to consumers is a research chemical, not a licensed product.
The science, graded
What’s claimed — and how strong the evidence behind each claim actually is.
“Speeds muscle and tendon recovery”
Animal and mechanistic data support wound healing; human recovery data is absent.
Claim-level citation mapping is in progress.
“Promotes new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis)”
Well-characterised mechanism for the parent protein; not a proven consumer benefit.
Claim-level citation mapping is in progress.
“Reduces inflammation systemically”
Plausible from mechanism, but not demonstrated in controlled human studies.
Claim-level citation mapping is in progress.
Legal and regulatory context
Separate summaries for Great Britain, the United States, and the European Union. These are preliminary research summaries awaiting independent regional review; they are not legal determinations or advice.
Great Britain
Research-only in the UK. Not licensed as a medicine and banned in sport under WADA. No legal route for human-use sale.
This is preliminary regulatory research, not a reviewed legal determination or legal advice.
United States
Regional legal and regulatory review required before publication.
This is preliminary regulatory research, not a reviewed legal determination or legal advice.
- FDA's Concerns About Unapproved Drugs · U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks · U.S. Food and Drug Administration
European Union
Regional legal and regulatory review required before publication.
This is preliminary regulatory research, not a reviewed legal determination or legal advice.
- Buying medicines online · European Medicines Agency
What the community says
Usually mentioned as the second half of a 'BPC + TB' recovery stack. Community sees the two as complementary; the same evidence caveats apply.
Where they’re talking
- r/PeptidesPopular in the 'Wolverine' recovery stack.
- ForumsDebate over injection frequency vs half-life.
Appears in these stacks
Wolverine
Soft-tissue & injury recoveryThe internet's most-named recovery stack: BPC-157 paired with TB-500 for tendon, ligament and muscle repair. Both are preclinical-only in humans and research-only in the UK.
GLOW
Skin quality & appearanceA skin-focused stack built around GHK-Cu, the one peptide here with a real cosmetic evidence base — sometimes combined with recovery peptides.
KLOW
Skin, gut & inflammationAn extended GLOW variant that adds KPV, discussed for its anti-inflammatory profile. Evidence across the components is mixed to preclinical.
References
- 1.Supply unlicensed medicinal products (specials) · MHRA
- 2.FDA's Concerns About Unapproved Drugs · U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- 3.Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks · U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- 4.Buying medicines online · European Medicines Agency