Peptide Therapy: Benefits, Risks, and What You Need to Know
Peptides are the new “buzz term.” Everyone is talking about them, but you may have more questions than answers.
What are peptides and how do they work?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as messengers in the body. They are responsible for many functions including balancing body chemistry and mood maintaining skin and joint health and aiding immune system response.
Why are peptides in the news?
Peptides have been used in medicine as an option to treat complex or life-threatening medical conditions for many years. There are over 80 peptides that are FDA-approved as medical or skin care products. One of the most well-known FDA-approved peptides is insulin, which is used to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus by signaling cells to absorb and use glucose for energy. More recent examples of therapeutic peptides are GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s), like semaglutide or tirzepatide. GLP-1s aid weight loss by suppressing appetite, stimulating insulin release, and slowing digestion. Increased experience with GLP-1s has led to the discovery of additional benefits that were not initially known as other systems in the body respond to the messages sent by these peptides.
Given the potential for peptides to work on a variety of body systems, they are a growing focus of interest by health influencers, which is why you hear about them more in the news. Online claims of peptide benefits include wound healing, nerve pain relief, lower stress levels, increased life span, and skin benefits.
Are peptides legal?
The legal status of peptides lies in a gray area. FDA-approved peptides are available by prescription in the United States when under the care of a healthcare provider for a diagnosed condition. However, many of the peptides touted online are not FDA-approved.
These unapproved products are made and provided by licensed compounding pharmacies to treat conditions where an FDA-approved treatment does not exist, as prescribed by a healthcare provider. Use of compounded peptide products, often obtained through telehealth companies, has become extremely popular. In 2023, the FDA announced the movement of 19 popular peptides to a status that essentially came with a “Do Not Compound” label due to telehealth misuse and peptide safety concerns. Despite this change, compounded peptides continued to be sold, just obtained by different means. Overseas suppliers are now selling compounded peptides online, made “legal” by adding the label “for research purposes only” to the product.
In February 2026, the US Secretary of Health and Human Services announced on a podcast that 14 of the 19 peptides would be re-categorized to allow for compounding again. However, their official status has yet to change, making the legal situation grayer than ever.
Will peptides help me?
Beyond FDA-approved peptides like insulin, GLP-1s, and bremelanotide (used to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women), human data on peptides are limited. Some peptides are approved for use in other countries and others, including many that are sold online, have shown promise in rat studies, but have small to no data in humans.
Are peptides safe?
Given the limited human data with many peptides, this is a tough question to answer. There are actual and theoretical risks of peptides including severe immune or allergic reactions and concerns that they may feed cancer growth. Safety is also dependent on how you access the peptide; a valid prescription from a licensed provider for an FDA-approved product is the safest way to access a peptide for use. Obtaining peptides via a visit with a telehealth prescriber through a licensed compounding pharmacy carries less risk than obtaining a peptide online, which may contain impurities, be incorrectly dosed, or produce unpredictable side effects.
Conclusion
The use of peptides is growing due to ease of online access and promotion by social media health influencers. However, this does not mean patients should jump onto the peptide bandwagon without considering all the risks and benefits. If you question whether peptide therapy is right for you, have an open discussion with your physician or pharmacist.