Happy Wednesday! Today, we are tackling peptides - a very popular trend right now. Find out everything you need to know about peptides, including:
What peptides are
The different types
Who may benefit from them
Who should be cautious
Risks to consider
Our takes on whether or not we recommend peptides
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What Are Peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids (basically mini-proteins). Your body naturally makes them, and they act as signals, telling cells what to do. Peptides themselves are fundamental to biology.
Examples of peptides you already have:
Insulin, which regulates blood sugar
Collagen peptides, which help with the structure of skin and joints
Growth hormone-related peptides, which signal growth and repair
Peptides are one of those topics where the marketing is way ahead of the evidence. Some are useful, some are neutral, and some are questionable, all depending on how they’re used.
What about supplemental peptides - and are they healthy?
You can supplement with peptides, and some are considered generally safe. Here are different types of peptides and how “healthy” they’re ranked as.
1. Generally safe / low-risk (when taken normally)
These peptides are ones you’ll see in foods or basic supplements, and are widely considered safe for most people:
Collagen peptides
Protein-derived peptides (like whey fragments)
Benefits:
May support skin, joints, and connective tissue
Basically function like a specialized protein source
2. Gray area (limited evidence)
Peptides marketed for fat loss, muscle growth, recovery, or anti-aging (e.g., BPC-157, CJC-1295, ipamorelin) may have some promising early research, but they are not well-studied in humans over the long-term, may not be FDA-approved, and dosing and purity can vary.
3. Medical peptides (for specific use)
Prescribed peptides (like insulin, GLP-1 drugs, etc.) are well-studied and used under medical supervision.
Who might benefit from peptide supplements?
Reasonable candidates include:
People with joint issues may find benefits from collagen peptides
People wanting extra protein support may benefit from collagen, though it is not a complete protein
Clinical cases under a doctor, such as hormone deficiencies or metabolic diseases
Who should be cautious or avoid peptides?
Be careful if:
You’re considering injectable peptides from online clinics
You’re expecting steroid-like muscle or fat loss effects
You have a hormone-sensitive condition (e.g., certain cancers)
You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
You’re already on medications affecting hormones
Especially avoid:
“Research peptides” sold online with no regulation
Anything promising rapid fat loss and muscle gain - this is a big red flag
What are some key risks of peptides?
If you are considering peptides, be aware of:
Lack of regulation - this can lead to contamination or incorrect dosing
Hormonal disruption, especially with growth hormone-related peptides
Unknown long-term effects
Cost vs. actual benefit is often not worth it
The more a peptide sounds like a shortcut to physique or anti-aging… the more skeptical you should be.
Interested in more topics like this? Try reading these posts:
Our Takes On Peptides
Now that you have the what, see what we say about peptides… Our Takes are for our VIP subscribers, so upgrade today to access our takes on peptides and the entire Our Takes library, including what we think about statins, drinking coffee on an empty stomach, the safety of canned tuna and more. Our 35% off Fall Sale is going on now - upgrade and save today!