Those Viral Bodega Peptides Aren’t Actually Peptides

The recent surge in popularity of peptides has led to numerous shops, such as Mr. Green, selling these amino acids online. Customers pay a premium for peptides like PT-141, BPC-157, NAD+, and retatrutide, each touted for specific benefits such as weight loss, injury recovery, and cellular repair. However, recent laboratory tests reveal that what these shops are selling may not be what they claim.

Finnrick, an Austin-based startup that offers peptide testing, found that the samples tested contained no active ingredients as listed on their labels. Instead, the peptides were either mislabeled or had been corrupted. Peptides are often sensitive to temperature changes and require refrigeration, so improper storage could degrade their ingredients.

While some of these substances are pharmaceutical drugs, many have not undergone the typical regulatory approval process for drugs and are not legal to sell for human consumption in the US. Some of the peptides tested by Finnrick appear to be "just duds," with no active ingredients. This highlights the potential dangers of purchasing peptides through questionable channels, as there is no guarantee of what's in the vials.

The booming industry is estimated to be worth up to $3 billion, but the FDA's recent steps to loosen regulations and telehealth platforms like Hims and Mochi preparing to sell peptides have led to an increase in questionable sales.