Peptide Injections Touted as ‘Fountain of Youth.’ Spoiler Alert: They’re Not

Influencers tout peptide injections for fitness and longevity, but experts warn of health and safety risks. Mariya Borisova/Getty Images Injectable “wellness” peptides have become wildly popular among health and wellness enthusiasts, despite lacking credible evidence for their safety and effectiveness. Social media influencers and biohackers tout wellness peptides as a “fountain of youth” to achieve longevity and fitness gains. Experts in the medical community have raised alarms about the safety of compounded peptides marketed for wellness, calling for federal oversight of these products, which are largely sold online. During the 1980s, anabolic steroids emerged out of elite athletic circles and rose to popularity among fitness and gym enthusiasts. It didn’t take long for the medical community to question their safety. Researchers and athletic organizations raised concerns over the health risks associated with recreational anabolic steroid use, such as cardiovascular disease. By 1991, the substances were banned for non-medical use under the Anabolic Steroids Control Act. But the quest for fast-tracked, unproven methods to achieve peak fitness is far from over. Today, influencers and biohackers tout peptide injections as a “fountain of youth,” a one-stop shop to achieve muscle gain, longevity, and more. Echoing the past, so-called “wellness” peptides have become ubiquitous despite lacking any credible evidence. No studies to date have verified their safety for use in humans. A recent position paper by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices on the safety and efficacy of wellness peptides highlights an “alarming safety concern” about their widespread use. Unlike well-studied commercial peptide drugs (i.e., insulin and GLP-1s), compounded peptide products marketed for “wellness” are unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While no states have outright banned non-FDA-approved peptides, some have stepped up public health m