Influencers are promoting dangerous peptides on social media - and regulators are struggling to keep up

Peptides occur naturally in the body and regulate metabolism, appetite, hormone production, and tissue repair. Some synthetic peptides are used in legitimate medicines and have clinical evidence, including GLP-1s for weight loss and diabetes management and insulin. A growing online grey market sells unapproved peptide compounds through wellness brands and influencer storefronts, often marketed for fat loss, anti-ageing, health, recovery, and muscle growth. Many products have not completed full clinical safety evaluation and have been found contaminated with harmful ingredients. Reported risks include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal issues, headaches, fatigue or weakness, immune problems, allergic reactions, and infections. Safety data for human use is limited, and risks are often not disclosed to buyers.

"Peptides actually occur naturally in our body. They regulate a variety of important functions, including metabolism, appetite, hormone production and tissue repair. Synthetic versions of peptides are also used in some medicines, which are legitimate and have been clinically proven. These include GLP-1s (which are used for weight loss and managing diabetes) and insulin."

"But a booming, parallel "grey market" now exists online for unapproved peptide compounds. These products are primarily being sold by so-called wellness brands and in influencer-led storefronts. Many of these products are marketed as cutting-edge solutions for optimising health and body enhancement. The problem is that many of these substances have not undergone full clinical safety evaluation and are not approved for human use. Many have also been found to be contaminated with other harmful ingredients."

"Unapproved injectable peptides therefore pose serious health risks. Some of the risks they may pose include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal issues, headaches and fatigue or weakness. Immune issues, as well as allergic reactions and infections have also been reported. Moreover, there's a clear lack of rigorous human safety data. Yet these risks often aren't disclosed by the people selling them."

"Fitness influencers, some of whom have millions of followers and harness great social power, are increasingly presenting peptides as modern self-improvement tools. They often draw their followers in with dramatic before and after photos and claims these peptide pro"

Read at The Conversation