This field is dense with jargon, and much of it is used loosely or inconsistently. Regulatory terms, analytical terms and handling terms all appear side by side, often without explanation, which makes it easy to misread a product page or a certificate. This glossary defines the terms that come up most often, in plain English, and points to the fuller guides in this cluster where a concept deserves more than a sentence.
This is general reference information about terminology. It is not usage guidance for any substance.
Compound category terms
These terms describe what kind of compound something is.
- SARM, meaning selective androgen receptor modulator. A class of compounds that act on androgen receptors with more selectivity than traditional anabolic steroids. In Australia these are prescription only and are covered in the guide on whether SARMs are legal in Australia.
- Growth hormone secretagogue. A compound that stimulates the release of growth hormone. Ibutamoren is the commonly discussed example, and although it is frequently grouped with SARMs it is not one.
- Peptide. A short chain of amino acids. Many are prescription only and are prohibited imports without a permit, as set out in the guide on whether peptides are legal in Australia.
- Research compound. A general term for a substance supplied for laboratory investigation rather than therapeutic use. The label carries specific meaning and specific limits.
- PIED, meaning performance and image enhancing drug. An umbrella term used by regulators and enforcement bodies covering a broad range of these substances.
Regulatory and legal terms
These terms describe how a substance is classified and controlled.
- Poisons Standard. The Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons, which sorts substances into schedules that determine how tightly they are controlled.
- Schedule 4. The prescription only category. Most SARMs and many peptides sit here, meaning they require a prescription to possess lawfully.
- Schedule 9. The prohibited substance category, more restrictive than Schedule 4. Some compounds sold in this market sit here.
- ARTG, meaning the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. The register of products evaluated and approved by the regulator. A product not on the register is unapproved.
- Unapproved therapeutic good. A product that has not been evaluated or entered on the register. Not automatically dangerous, but not verified by any Australian authority.
- Schedule 7A. The part of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 that makes most peptides prohibited imports unless a permit is held.
- Personal Importation Scheme. A narrow provision allowing personal import of some unapproved goods under strict conditions, explained in the guide on importing research compounds into Australia.
- Research use only. A product designation, not a legal exemption, explored in the guide on what research use only actually means.
Anti-doping terms
These terms matter for anyone in tested sport.
- WADA Prohibited List. The annually updated list of substances and methods banned in sport, administered domestically by Sport Integrity Australia.
- Strict liability. The principle that an athlete is responsible for any prohibited substance in their body, regardless of intent. Covered in the guide on SARMs, peptides and anti-doping.
- Anti-Doping Rule Violation. A breach of anti-doping rules, which can result in a lengthy ban.
- Therapeutic Use Exemption. An advance approval allowing an athlete to use an otherwise prohibited substance for a genuine medical need, very unlikely to be granted for unapproved substances.
- In-competition and out-of-competition. Categories of when a substance is banned. Anabolic agents and peptide hormones are prohibited at all times, not just in competition.
Analytical and quality terms
These terms appear on certificates of analysis and in quality discussions. They are covered in depth in the guide on reading a certificate of analysis.
- Certificate of analysis. A document recording the test results for a specific batch of material. It describes one batch only.
- HPLC, meaning high performance liquid chromatography. The standard method for assessing purity, which separates a sample’s components and measures each one.
- Chromatogram. The output of an HPLC test, a plot of peaks where each peak is a component of the sample.
- Mass spectrometry. A method that establishes identity by measuring molecular weight, confirming that a compound is what it claims to be.
- Purity. The proportion of the main component in a sample, usually expressed as a percentage of total peak area. It says nothing about sterility or identity on its own.
- Batch or lot number. A unique code identifying a specific production run, which must match the certificate for the documentation to be meaningful.
- Endotoxin. Bacterial pyrogens that can cause reactions, tested for where sterility matters.
- CAS number. A unique registry identifier for a specific chemical substance, the most reliable single identifier where one exists.
Physical form and handling terms
These terms describe the material itself and how it is handled. They are covered in the storage and stability guide and the label reading guide.
- Lyophilised. Freeze dried. The dry, stable form in which peptides are usually supplied.
- Reconstitution. The process of dissolving a lyophilised solid back into a liquid by adding a diluent, explained in the guide on reconstitution basics.
- Diluent. The liquid used to reconstitute a compound, such as bacteriostatic or sterile water.
- Bacteriostatic water. Water containing a preservative that inhibits bacterial growth, distinct from sterile water and available as bacteriostatic water.
- Net peptide content. The proportion of a vial’s mass that is actually peptide, as opposed to counter ions and water. Often lower than the label’s gross figure.
- Counter ion. The salt component paired with a peptide, such as acetate, which forms part of the gross mass but is not the peptide itself.
- Hygroscopic. Readily absorbing moisture from the air, which is why lyophilised material must be kept dry.
- Aliquoting. Dividing material into single use portions to avoid repeated freeze thaw cycles.
- Half-life. The time for a substance’s concentration to reduce by half, a general pharmacological term often referenced in this context.
Commerce and supply terms
These terms come up when evaluating suppliers, a subject covered in the guide on choosing a research compound supplier.
- Third party testing. Analysis performed by an independent laboratory rather than the manufacturer, carrying more weight where the lab is named.
- Batch traceability. The ability to connect a physical product back to its specific production run and documentation.
- Cold chain. The maintenance of appropriate low temperatures throughout storage and transport for materials that require it.
- Aseptic technique. The set of practices that prevent contamination during handling, essential once a material is in solution.
How to use this glossary
Terminology in this field is not just vocabulary. Each of these terms sits within a system, whether that system is the scheduling framework, the anti-doping code, the analytical process or the supply chain. Understanding a term in isolation is useful, but understanding how it connects to the others is what allows you to read a product page or a certificate critically rather than taking it at face value.
The fastest way to get oriented across the whole range is to browse how products are organised, for example across the SARMs category and the peptides category, and then to read the fuller guides in this cluster where a term is doing heavy lifting. A glossary answers what a word means. The linked guides explain why it matters.
Frequently asked questions
What does lyophilised mean?
It means freeze dried. Water is removed from a frozen solution under vacuum, leaving a dry, stable powder or cake.
What is net peptide content?
It is the proportion of a vial’s mass that is actually peptide, as opposed to counter ions and residual water. It is often lower than the gross milligram figure on the label.
What is the difference between Schedule 4 and Schedule 9?
Schedule 4 is prescription only. Schedule 9 is prohibited, a more restrictive category that generally cannot be supplied even with a prescription in ordinary circumstances.
What does strict liability mean in sport?
It means an athlete is responsible for any prohibited substance found in their body, regardless of how it got there or whether they intended to take it.
Is bacteriostatic water the same as sterile water?
No. Bacteriostatic water contains a preservative and suits multi access use. Sterile water contains no preservative and is for single use. They are not interchangeable.
Key takeaways
- SARMs and many peptides are Schedule 4 prescription only substances in Australia.
- Net peptide content, not the gross milligram figure, reflects how much peptide a vial actually holds.
- A certificate of analysis describes one batch only, and its code must match the material.
- Strict liability makes athletes responsible for any prohibited substance regardless of intent.
- Each term sits within a larger system, and the linked guides explain why each one matters.
