Peptides are short chains of 2 to 50 amino acids that act like messengers telling your body what to do. Their smaller size allows them to be easily absorbed, helping control things like hormones, muscle growth, skin health, and your immune system.

Where do peptides come from?

The peptides in supplements may come from plant or animal sources of protein, including:

• eggs
• milk
• meat
• fish and shellfish
• beans and lentils
• soy
• oats
• flaxseed
• hemp seeds
• wheat

What are the different types of peptides?

There are essentially two different types of peptides. Peptides like collagen, whey, and soy are known as ‘dietary peptides'. They provide amino acids, but don't directly trigger hormonal pathways. They are almost all ingested orally.

The other type are called 'signaling peptides' like insulin or semaglutide. They attach to cells and trigger strong effects, even in tiny amounts.  They are usually injected into the bloodstream.

What are the risks associated with peptides?

Recently online there have been several influencers who have touted the 'benefits' of unregulated and untested black market peptides. Toronto Star has written an article detailing this dangerous phenomenon.

While some influencers may boast about smoother skin, a more clear mind and better sleep habits, it's not something that works the same for everyone across the board. What works for one person might not for another, and a drug that you can tolerate might cause a serious adverse reaction for others.

“The bottom line is, we simply don’t have the human data,” said Dr. Peter Wu, a physician with Toronto’s University Health Network specializing in pharmacology and toxicology.“We all want these things to work. But we also want to ensure that they’re studied properly so that we know exactly what works at which dose for how long, and what the long-term safety is.”

 “What if there’s something that is an allergic compound or harmful compound or a toxic compound?” Wu said. “You have no idea if they’re contaminated, because these are unregulated.”

Helpful, Clinically-Approved Signaling Peptides

Not all peptides are bad. In fact, many of them have tremendous benefits, but it is paramount that they are clinically tested and regulated before human consumption.

Here's a list of common approved peptides.

• Insulin - regulates blood sugar
  
  
• Semaglutide - weight loss, diabetes control
  
  
• Tirzepatide - strong weight loss, glucose control
  
  
• Bremelanotide - treats low libido (women)
  
  
• Tesamorelin - reduces visceral fat (HIV patients)
  
  
• Octreotide - treats tumors, hormone disorders
  
  
• Somatropin - treats growth disorders

Black Market Peptides to Watch Out For

These products are often boasted by online influencers also known as "bio-hackers" to be effective, but they have not gone through the proper testing and analysis that other peptides have.

• BPC-157 - claims to "heal everything" but the vast majority of studies have only been done on animals. There may also be long-term effects that we don't know about at this time.

• TB-500 - claims to help with muscle recovery and injury healing, however, human data is very limited and there are cancer risk concerns.

• CJC-1295 - claims to increase growth hormones and has anti-aging effects but has risks of hormonal imbalance and cell growth.

• Ipamorelin - claims to help with fat loss and muscle growth, but human trials are very limited, with potential risks like insulin resistance and endocrine disruption.

• MOTS-c - claims to be "exercise in a pill" and a metabolism boost, however, there has not been a lot of research done and the long-term effects are unknown.

Why These Are Risky

In general, because these peptides are not regulated, they potentially have many risks associated with them due to the unregulated manufacturing process:

No human safety data

• Many only test on animals
• No long-term studies

Contamination & fake products

• Up to 1/3rd are mislabeled or impure
• Can contain: Heavy metals, bacteria, wrong dosage

Hormonal Problems

• Some of these peptides spike growth hormones, which can lead to: diabetes, organ stress and potential tumor growth pathways.

Injection Risks

• Since you'd have to inject these peptides yourself, there are injection risks like infection, abscesses and disease transmission

Dietary Peptides

Unlike signaling peptides, these are derived from food products and are generally recognized as safe and low risk.

• Collagen peptides - Supports skin elasticity, hydration and reduces wrinkles.
  
  
• Whey peptides - Helps with muscle repair, recovery and immune support.
  
  
• Casein peptides - Lowers blood pressure, enhances immune function and aids in digestive health.
  
  
• Soy peptides - Antioxidant effects, may improve cardiovascular health and enhances immunity.
  
  
• Rice peptides - Muscle support and also a vegan alternative to whey/casein.

Conclusion

Peptides are chemical compounds that can help our bodies with many different problems. Peptides like insulin or semaglutide are well-regulated and have been clinically-proven to be safe and effective. However, underresearched and unregulated peptides such as BPC-157 and TB-500 have not gone through the same clinical trials, meaning they are too risky for safe consumption.

Even if you have heard anecdotal evidence of these peptides offering health benefits, it might not work the same for you. In addition, there could be impure or mix-ups in the manufacturing process which could lead to disastrous results.

It is always best to ensure the chemicals we are putting into our bodies are safe. If you are unsure about a certain product, it is always best to research online about the risks associated with it or ask a health care professional.

Don't inject anything into your body that is unregulated or untested. Even if a friend tells you it's alright.