Peptides: Hype, Hope, and a Few Hard Truths

Influencers, wellness gurus and fitness coaches have been talking a lot about peptides these days, touting their ability to help you build muscle, look younger and shed pounds. Even celebrities have joined in on the trend on social media, fueling the use and rise in popularity. So, what’s this craze about and what should you know before taking or injecting peptides?

Simply put, peptides are the building blocks of proteins made up of short strings of amino acids. The body naturally makes peptides that serve important functions in many of the body’s key processes. Researchers have long studied peptides and have been working to develop them as treatments for certain medical conditions since 1921. The first peptide ever made in a lab by scientists was insulin, which has been used to treat people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes since 1923.

Peptides can be integral in fighting off disease in the immune system, muscle, joint, and tissue recovery, enhancing cognitive function and brain communication, decreasing inflammation, digestion, hormones, skin health and even boosting libido and sexual function. They tend to have fewer side effects than other drugs, can be easier to target certain areas in the body, and are safer because the body knows how to recycle and break down amino acids.

So, why is everyone suddenly talking about them? Peptides have become the “it” supplement on social media because they’re marketed as a quick fix to boost weight loss, rewind aging, build muscle and improve skin without much effort. Peptides are common and popular in skin care products like moisturizers, creams and serums, dietary supplements like protein powders that include creatin peptides and collagen and therapeutic injections for weight loss, healing and recovery and sexual function. When you see a favorite influencer claiming they “finally found the secret,” it’s easy to see how the trend caught fire.

Some peptides are used in medicine under the care of a physician, but those are prescription medications for very specific, proven conditions and not the generic “anti-aging peptide” you saw while scrolling. Think of peptides like power tools: incredibly useful when handled the right way, but risky if you just pick one up because someone on TikTok said it changed their life. A few things to keep on your radar:
•    You don’t always know what you’re getting. Many peptides sold online or through med spas aren’t regulated, which means purity, dosage, and safety are all question marks. Some products contain contaminants or aren’t the actual peptide they claim to be.
•    Injections come with risks. Improper injection technique can lead to infections, abscesses, or scarring. Even “small” mistakes can cause big problems.
•    Side effects are real. What starts as “just trying to look better” can spiral into feeling worse. 

Depending on the peptide, risks may include:
o    Joint pain
o    Increased blood pressure
o    Headaches
o    Water retention
o    Mood changes
o    Abnormal changes in blood sugar
o    Organ stress

• Hormone-disrupting peptides can throw your system out of balance. Some peptides mimic hormones or signal your body to produce more of them. When your normal hormone levels get pushed out of balance, everything from sleep to menstrual cycles to metabolism can be affected.
• Long-term effects are still unknown. Because many of these trendy peptides aren’t FDA-approved, we don’t have strong data on what months or years of use might do.

Your body likely already makes the peptides it needs, but when something feels off, whether that’s fatigue, weight changes, trouble sleeping, or aging concerns, it’s better to talk with a healthcare provider who can look at the whole picture before betting on the next big wellness miracle.