Peptides are the latest wellness fad. What are they, and are they safe?
An FDA advisory panel has recommended making six unapproved peptides more accessible through compounding pharmacies — but scientists warn that easier access does not mean these experimental products have been proven safe or effective.
Peptides, short chains of amino acids, are gaining popularity in the wellness industry, with notable endorsements from health officials like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. However, not all peptides have undergone rigorous testing and approval by the FDA. Unregulated peptides are available online, often from loosely regulated manufacturers.
A recent FDA advisory panel vote suggests increased access to certain peptides, which can be obtained through compounding pharmacies, but this decision is still under review by the FDA. Peptides, such as insulin and GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy, have extensive scientific backing for therapeutic use. However, unapproved peptides, often marketed for general wellness or "biohacking," are sold online with the label "research use only."
While some peptides have been approved for specific conditions, many remain experimental and unregulated. The FDA's decision to allow increased access to certain unapproved peptides may signal a change in regulation, but the final decision is still pending.
Written by urgent.news from Live Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
