Local interactions between skin cells, skin immune components and neuronal tissues occur specially through neuropeptides … Neuropeptide-related functions on skin and immune cells, as well ...nerve fibers in cutaneous inflammatory responses, hypersensitivity reactions and dermatoses, namely psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, leprosy and alopecia."

Now that you know that a neuropeptide has a function in central nervous system and that a pentapeptide might also be a neuropeptide (having five amino acids in its chain) but not all neuropeptides are pentapeptides, how can you decide whether to pay extra money for exciting new neuropeptide creams?

You want some evidence that they are sufficiently more effective to justify higher price, right?

In sorting through all peptides currently touted for antiaging skin care, I decided they can be placed into one of three groups depending on amount and quality on published research and development behind their use in skin care.

Some peptides have a lot of published scientific research behind them. They were developed for medical use and because of their success, found their way into antiaging cosmeceuticals.

Copper peptide falls into this group since it has been studied and employed in wound healing since 1970s. Palmitoyl pentapeptide also falls into this group. Doctors were already prescribing Strivectin-SD for stretch mark and scar removal when clinical studies of its superior wrinkle-reducing properties were presented at 20th World Congress of Dermatology in 2002.

Other peptides have been developed within cosmetic industry and quickly brought to market. The companies are careful to make no medical claims in order to avoid lengthy FDA review process for a drug. Argiriline, a.k.a. acetyl hexapeptide-3, falls into this group. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that, similar to Botox, it reduces a muscle’s ability to tense and form deep lines of expression. Customer reviews are quite positive and more companies are incorporating ingredient into their treatment lines.

In third group are peptides that are very new or are proprietary and not widely available. Dr. Nicholas Perricone’s neuropeptide creams fall into this category. His neuropeptide variants all contain prefix “CL”. No research labs I could locate are studying or making CL variants. Of course, as we saw above in case of palmitoyl pentatpeptide, he may have just given an already known nuropeptide a different name.

The consumer has little to go on except Dr. Perricone’s word. That is, unless you consider his track record and broad following. He hasn’t yet failed to deliver. His previous antiaging developments have met with broad acclaim and his three books have been on New York Times Bestseller list.

Dr. Perricone explains his work with neuropeptides in his third book "The Perricone Promise" thus. “In 'The Wrinkle Cure' and 'The Perricone Prescription', I introduced a major theme of my research: Inflammation-Disease-Aging Connection.

Because inflammation is a great contributor to accelerated aging, it has been an important focus of my ongoing scientific research. And we now know that neuropeptides and peptides play an important role in mediating inflammation.”

I remember asking people what they thought of this whole sport.

The majority were disenchanted by slew of supplements, million training programs, 500 ebooks on bodybuilding and paper classics. It's like they wanted to know out of 1 million resources, which ones were ones they should read. And it better not be too many.

But problem with having somebody else choose for you obvious. And problem with too few choices is obvious as well.

Having so many choices is actually quite good. Many DB members who have read over posts, visited sites linked to and talked about and purchased eBooks that get talked about often have a very well rounded knowledge base. They also start to see a lot of repetition. 6 meals a day is way to go if you are on a weight gain or weight loss program. It just depends on what you eat for those 6 meals that determines outcome.

I look at my bookshelf and I see many fiction works and I see many books on supplements and vitamins. I look in my computer folders and I see well over 30 ebooks on fitness subjects. And I look in my supplement closet and see various programs and such. And I'm not confused. I like choices. I like different protein powders. Some shakes I love. Others give me an upset stomach. So having choices is good. And thru experience and time, I can pick and choose best ones to suit my needs because after all reading, posting debating with members, and just reading what people post, I get better and better at being able to pick out what will best work for me.

Do not get discouraged when you walk into a supplement store and see 30 different types of bars. Nor should you get angry or upset when you go to various places and see yet another book on fitness. Having choices benefits you. And thru reading and learning and talking, you will figure out what is hype and what is real. One man's bullshit is another man's placebo to a 400 lb bench press.

Keep learning and don't look for ONE program or ONE supplement or ONE book that will tell you golden truth. Fact is, if you only had 1 of everything, you'd be very limited in knowledge.

Keep reading!