The Peptide Craze: Benefits, Risks and the Science Behind Them

Peptides are having a major moment. Researchers have been studying these short-chain amino acids, which occur naturally in the body, for years — but recently, peptides have made their way out of the lab and onto the consumer market, promising everything from bigger muscles and faster recovery, to weight loss and younger-looking skin. These products are not well-researched and have not been approved by the FDA, but they’re widely available. You can buy them from influencers, online suppliers — even at smoke shops. And that’s given rise to a whole new world of DIY experimentation.

But what do we really know about how these peptides affect our bodies and health? What does the science say about possible benefits and harm? And how could unregulated use affect current and future research?

On this episode: peptides — their potential, their risks, and how much we actually know about them. We talk with a researcher about the roles peptides play in the body and the dangers of experimentation; find out what evidence there is behind some of the most popular products; and learn what lagging research and regulation means for regular users.

SHOW NOTES:

• We talk with Stanford pathology professor Katrin Svensson about what exactly peptides are, what led to their explosion in popularity, and the dangers of unregulated use, both for consumers and for the field of peptide research. 
• Reporter Bruce Gil dives into the world of consumer peptides, exploring what’s driving their growing popularity, the science behind them, and the thorny regulatory landscape. He also talks with regular users about why they started using peptides, and what effects they’ve had on their health.
• Many people are interested in peptides, and want access. A growing fleet of clinics and medical providers provide peptide treatments targeting everything from weight loss to muscle growth to cognitive function and mental health. We talk with Evan Miller, the CEO of a chain of clinics called Gameday Men’s Health, about how he got into peptides, and what patients should look out for when they’re seeking out peptide treatments.
• Peptides are also a hot commodity in skincare products. Dermatologist Elizabeth Houshmand breaks down the different categories of peptides in creams and serums, and how consumers can tell if a product has actually been studied or not.