Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about RUO Codes, including how the site works, vendor vetting practices, research peptides, and compounds such as BPC-157, semaglutide, and GHK-Cu.
About the site
- What is RUO Codes and how does it work?
- RUO Codes is a free coupon and discount-code aggregator for research-peptide vendors. The site tracks active codes, sales, and promotions across vetted suppliers. Vendor listings and compound searches connect researchers with working codes that can be applied at checkout on the vendor's own website.
- Is the site free to use?
- Yes. RUO Codes is completely free for visitors. An account is not required to browse vendors, view codes, or use tools like the dosage calculator.
- Does RUO Codes earn a commission from vendors?
- Most links are affiliate links, meaning RUO Codes can earn a small commission from a purchase at no additional cost to the purchaser. This helps keep the site free. It does not change which vendors are listed or how they are ranked; vendors and codes are included based on whether they meet our standards, not on commission earnings.
- How is a coupon code redeemed?
- Copy the code from a vendor's listing, visit that vendor's website, add items to the cart, and paste the code into the "discount" or "promo code" field at checkout. The discount applies before payment. If a code doesn't work, other active codes listed for that vendor can be tried.
- How often are codes updated?
- We review and refresh codes regularly. Vendors change promotions frequently, so codes are added and retired as they go live or expire. Community voting also helps surface which codes are currently working.
- How can a non-working code be reported?
- If a code is expired or invalid, downvoting it alerts other users, or a report can be submitted through our Contact page. Reports help keep listings accurate for everyone.
Vendors & vetting
- How do vendors get listed on RUO Codes?
- Vendors are added after they meet our baseline requirements for transparency and product testing. Anyone can suggest a vendor through our Join RUO Codes page, and we review each submission before it goes live.
- What is the minimum requirement for listing a vendor?
- At minimum, a vendor must provide third-party testing (a Certificate of Analysis) for its products and operate transparently. Priority goes to suppliers that publish testing, list purity, and have a track record within the research community.
- What is a Certificate of Analysis (COA), and why does it matter?
- A Certificate of Analysis is a lab report, ideally from an independent third-party lab, that verifies a compound's identity and purity. It is the single most important document when evaluating a research peptide because it confirms whether the product matches its label at the stated purity.
- What is third-party testing and why is it important?
- Third-party testing means an independent lab, rather than the vendor, analyzed the product. Independent results are far harder to fake and give researchers confidence in purity and identity. RUO Codes strongly favors vendors that publish third-party COAs.
- Can a vendor be submitted for review?
- The Join RUO Codes page accepts company applications and customer suggestions for review against the site's standards before addition.
Research peptides 101
- What is a research peptide?
- Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. "Research peptides" are compounds sold strictly for laboratory and research purposes, not for human consumption. They are studied for areas like tissue repair, metabolism, and cellular signaling.
- What does "for research use only" mean?
- "For research use only" means the product is intended exclusively for in-vitro (laboratory) study and is not approved or labeled for human or veterinary use. Vendors sell these compounds under that designation; buyers are responsible for compliance with all applicable laws.
- Are research peptides legal to buy?
- In most regions it is legal to buy peptides labeled for research purposes, but regulations vary by country and jurisdiction, and they are not approved for human use. Applicable laws should be checked before purchasing. Nothing on this site is legal or medical advice.
- What is the difference between lyophilized powder and a pre-mixed solution?
- Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptides come as a dry powder that must be reconstituted with bacteriostatic water before use. They are more stable for shipping and long-term storage. Pre-mixed solutions arrive already in liquid form, which is convenient but generally less stable over time. Most research peptides are sold lyophilized.
- How can the best price on a specific compound be found?
- Search for the compound in our Encyclopedia or browse the vendor listings, then compare the active codes and sales we track across suppliers. Stacking a current discount code with a sale is usually the cheapest route, and the dosage calculator can compare true cost per dose between vial sizes.