Metabolic & Weight Loss / Subcutaneous
Cholecystokinin (CCK)
Also known as CCK-8, CCK-33, Cholecystokinin octapeptide
A satiety hormone that promotes fullness and reduces food intake by signaling through CCK receptors. Researched for appetite regulation and metabolic health.
What is Cholecystokinin (CCK) used for? Research has focused on promotes satiety and reduces food intake; stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion; enhances gallbladder contraction.
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Cholecystokinin (CCK) injection at a glance
Figures from the published research literature. Research use only.
- Dose range
- 0.5-2 mcg
- Route
- Subcutaneous
How often, when, and the dosing notes are in the dosing reference further down.
Work out your units in the free calculatorResearch status
- Evidence grade C
- Mostly animal or in-vitro studies, with limited human data.
- Research only
- No regulatory approval in any major jurisdiction. Research use only.
Clinical trials
For research purposes only. Not approved for human use. Not medical advice.
Research areas
- Promotes satiety and reduces food intake
- Stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion
- Enhances gallbladder contraction
- Regulates gastric emptying
- Supports postprandial glucose control
- Modulates appetite signaling pathways
Side effects
| Effect | How often | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| NauseaOccurs in some subjects, particularly at higher doses or when injected on an empty stomach. Usually resolves within 30-60 minutes. May be reduced by injecting with or shortly after food. | Common | Mild |
| Abdominal discomfort or crampingRelated to enhanced gastric and pancreatic secretion. Typically mild and self-resolving. More common with higher doses. | Uncommon | Mild |
| DiarrheaMay occur due to increased pancreatic enzyme secretion and altered intestinal motility. Usually transient. | Uncommon | Mild |
| HeadacheReported in some research subjects. Mechanism unclear; may be related to systemic effects of CCK. | Uncommon | Mild |
| Injection site reactionsMild erythema, itching, or swelling at injection site. Minimize by rotating sites and using proper injection technique. | Uncommon | Mild |
| Anxiety or nervousnessReported rarely in research settings. CCK has been studied in anxiety models; mechanism in humans unclear. | Rare | Mild |
| PancreatitisExtremely rare but documented in animal models at very high doses. Seek immediate medical attention if severe abdominal pain, elevated amylase, or lipase occurs. | Rare | Serious |
Dosing reference
Dose scale from the research
- Starting
- 0.5 mcg
- Typical
- 1 mcg
- Upper end
- 2 mcg
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Dose range | 0.5-2 mcg |
Frequency, timing and route are for members | |
Checked October 2026
Research disclaimer. Figures are drawn from published research literature and community logs. They are not clinical recommendations. Consult a qualified professional. Research use only.
Reconstitution guide
- Do not use saline or bacteriostatic saline, use only bacteriostatic water for reconstitution
- Do not shake the vial vigorously; gentle swirling prevents peptide degradation
- Discard immediately if the solution appears cloudy, discolored, or contains visible particles
- Use within 30 days of reconstitution when stored at 2-8°C
- Do not freeze the reconstituted solution; freezing may denature the peptide
- Use the PeptideVolt reconstitution calculator for your exact concentration
Worked example
With 1 mg in the vial, the water you add changes the draw. Mixed with 1 mL that is 1,000 mcg per mL, so on a U-100 syringe 0.5 mcg is 0.05 units and 2 mcg is 0.2 units. Mixed with 2 mL it is 500 mcg per mL, so 0.5 mcg is 0.1 units and 2 mcg is 0.4 units.
Molecular and pharmacological data
| Molecular weight | 1143 Da (CCK-8); 3918 Da (CCK-33) |
|---|---|
| Half-life | 2-3 minutes (endogenous CCK in circulation) |
| Sequence | Members only |
Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a gastrointestinal hormone that acts as a satiety signal by binding to CCK receptors (primarily CCKA and CCKB) on vagal afferent neurons and in the brain. This receptor activation triggers signals that promote feelings of fullness, reduce food intake, and regulate digestive processes including gallbladder contraction and pancreatic enzyme secretion. CCK's appetite-suppressing effects have been extensively studied as a potential mechanism for weight management and metabolic regulation.
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Recent research
All results on PubMedEarly assessment and treatment of ventricular remodeling in vivo via a targeted ultrasonic molecular probe loaded with oxygen and cholecystokinin.
Wang C, et al. / Journal of nanobiotechnology / 2025
Proteomic Insights into the Effects of Jianweixiaoshi Tablets on Functional Dyspepsia with Spleen Deficiency in Rats.
Cheng X, et al. / Drug design, development and therapy / 2024
Rikkunshito improves anorexia through ghrelin- and orexin-dependent activation of the brain hypothalamus and mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway in rats.
Yakabi K, et al. / Neurogastroenterology and motility / 2024
Source: PubMed / NCBI. Updated daily. Articles are listed for research reference only.
Research citations
5 sources
Gibbs J, Young RC, Smith GP. (1973). Cholecystokinin decreases food intake in rats. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology. 84(3):488-495. PMID: 4745816
Moran TH, Katz LF, Plata-Salaman CR, Schwartz GJ. (1998). Disordered food intake and obesity in rats lacking cholecystokinin A receptors. American Journal of Physiology. 274(3):R618-625. PMID: 9530226
Beglinger C, Degen L. (2006). Gastrointestinal satiety signals in humans--physiologic roles for GLP-1 and peptide YY? Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 91(12):4753-4761. PMID: 16968799
Rehfeld JF. (2017). Cholecystokinin - from local gut hormone to ubiquitous messenger. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 8:47. PMID: 28408889
Kissileff HR, Pi-Sunyer FX, Thornton J, Smith GP. (1981). C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin decreases food intake in man. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 34(2):154-160. PMID: 7211734
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Research use only. All content on this page is provided for informational and educational purposes related to scientific research. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is not approved for human use by the FDA or any equivalent regulatory body. This is not medical advice. Do not use any substance discussed here for therapeutic, diagnostic, or preventative purposes. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. The Peptide Volt does not endorse the use of any research chemicals. 18+ only.