Peptides are short chains of amino acids that help form proteins and support several processes in the body.
A growing number of people are using unapproved synthetic peptides to improve their appearance, fitness and health, but medical experts warn that limited research and unregulated products could expose users to serious health risks.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that help form proteins and support several processes in the body, including tissue repair. Lab made peptides are also used as active ingredients in approved medicines, including insulin and GLP-1 weight loss drugs.
However, unauthorized synthetic peptides have increasingly appeared online, where influencers, celebrities and wellness communities promote them for fitness and appearance. Social media posts claim they can improve skin, muscles, sleep and mental alertness, and even help prevent aging.
Experts say there is limited scientific evidence to support many of these claims. They also warn that several peptides have not been properly tested in humans, making their safety and effectiveness difficult to establish.
Armelle Rancillac, a neuroscientist at French research institute INSERM, said knowledge about how these substances should be used remains limited because many have not undergone proper human testing.
Earlier this year, INSERM said no large scale, randomized controlled clinical trial had confirmed the benefits promoted by peptide sellers, the institute also warned that some products could create serious health risks.
Online communities on platforms such as Reddit and Discord have instead become places where users exchange information about doses and injection schedules.
Health concerns have also been reported in other countries. Australia’s government reported six cases of acute liver injury in June involving these products.
