An ABC investigation reveals unapproved, experimental peptides, including weight loss drug retatrutide, are widely sold on social media in Australia, leading to serious health risks like liver injury. Regulators warn against their use, while law enforcement and social media platforms struggle to curb illegal sales.
An FDA committee voted to recommend six peptides for inclusion on a list that would let compounding pharmacies dispense them, despite FDA staff objections. Critics said the move could widen access to inadequately studied drugs.
An FDA advisory panel narrowly recommended reclassifying four peptides (BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, MOTs-C) to allow compounding pharmacies to dispense them, despite FDA scientists' safety concerns. The decision could move popular, influencer-backed peptides from an unregulated gray market into regulated medical use, sparking debate among experts.
An FDA panel endorsed unproven peptides, Meta's AI ad uses a song about the world ending, EU fines Google $1B for prioritizing its services, and more in tech and policy news.
FDA health advisors voted 8-6 to recommend expanding public access to BPC-157, a popular peptide promoted by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite scientific skepticism about its safety and efficacy. The panel is expected to vote on six other peptides Friday.
FDA advisers are meeting for two days to review evidence for seven experimental peptide therapies, including TB-500, BPC-157, and MOTs-C, to determine if they can be compounded by specialized pharmacies despite FDA scientists' recommendations against approval due to limited human data.
The FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meets Thursday for two days to recommend on allowing compounding pharmacies to make popular injectable peptides like TB-500 and BPC-157. This decision is critical amidst safety concerns, lack of large-scale human trials, and industry pressure to lift current restrictions.
An expert warns the UK has become a 'wild west' for experimental peptides and steroids, with easy online access and lack of regulation leading to serious health risks and potential fatalities. Fitness influencers are reportedly selling these substances via platforms like Telegram.
Fitness influencers associated with Gencore Global, a UK wellness brand, are promoting illegal steroids and performance-enhancing drugs through an underground Telegram network. The network, rebranded as Anabolic By Nature, was initially called Rohm. Experts warn of a blurred line between fitness culture and illegal drug promotion.
L'Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament (ANSM) alerte sur les dangers des peptides vendus en ligne, souvent vantés par des influenceurs pour leurs supposés bienfaits sur la performance sportive ou le vieillissement. Ces produits, dont la composition est incertaine, peuvent entraîner de graves problèmes de santé.
FDA scientists recommend against loosening restrictions on trendy peptide therapies like BPC-157 and MOTs-C, citing a lack of rigorous human trials and potential safety concerns. This contrasts with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s support for the molecules, despite a 2023 ban on compounding pharmacies making them.
Le marché des peptides de synthèse, stimulé par la culture de l'apparence et le biohacking, dépasse 100 millions de dollars annuels, soutenu par les crypto-monnaies pour contourner les restrictions bancaires.
A burgeoning gray market for peptides, driven by trends like 'looksmaxxing' and demand for cheaper alternatives to popular drugs, is processing over $100 million annually via cryptocurrency, primarily Bitcoin and stablecoins, according to Chainalysis.
Cardiologist Eric Topol argues that optimizing "health span" — years free from major age-related diseases — matters more than maximizing lifespan. His research at Scripps Research found no genetic secret to healthy aging; instead, exercise, sleep, social connection, and preventive medicine prove more impactful. While AI enables predictive medicine through tools like retinal scans for Parkinson's risk, Topol warns against biohacking trends and unproven supplements, calling the anti-aging industry "out of control."
This Optimizer newsletter examines the exploding peptide trend in wellness culture, focusing on how Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop brand markets peptide skincare products that may not contain what they promise. The $105 Youth Boost NAD+ Peptide Rich Cream contains NMN (a NAD+ precursor) rather than NAD+, and only one peptide ingredient that appears last in the list — suggesting minimal concentration. The piece critiques the conflation of peptides, vitamins, and other injectables by influential figures, warning that such confusion could normalize experimental gray-market treatments.
Braden Clavicular said YouTube removed both of his channels without warning for “severe or repeated violations” of its guidelines. Another creator, Atozy, suggested the action may be tied to alleged promotion of peptides to young audiences.
Hims may have a chance to grow peptides business as a potential revenue driver, with FDA review in 2026 shaping the opportunity.
