These days, if we spend just 5 minutes scrolling through TikTok, we’re almost guaranteed to come across an influencer talking about peptides.
Their exact claims about peptide usage might change depending on the specific product the influencer in question is promoting, but the stated benefits will usually be “life-changing”. They often make quite a compelling case, with plenty of details of what the product has done for them personally. But should we trust them?
Unless we’re deep into the health and wellness world, the concept of peptides has probably only come up for us relatively recently. Evidence supporting the claims being made also tends to be a little thin on the ground.
Peptides: the fundamental building blocks
First things first, peptides are absolutely a real thing. They are chains of amino acids, like proteins, only shorter. They’re also naturally occurring, with some produced by our bodies and others provided by everyday foods.
Peptides play a role in a wide range of different biological processes, often as signaling molecules that tell cells what to do. This includes helping regulate our appetite and digestion, as well as our hormone production and release, immune function, and formation of new tissue.
Peptide products can also provide some real benefits. There are a number of peptide-based medications that have been formally tested and are regularly prescribed to patients. This includes Insulin, which is widely used to help manage diabetes, and GLP-1 style products, like Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Why they’re suddenly everywhere
While the use, and even synthesizing, of peptides isn’t new, how products are now being packaged and marketed sure is. And a big reason for this is the rise of wellness culture.
Driven significantly by social media, how we talk about health has evolved significantly over the last couple of decades. Previously, promotion of good general practices, like drinking more water and getting enough sleep, was the main message. Now, advice is highly personalized, simplified, and focused on new innovations and optimized performance.
Peptide products fit this new narrative perfectly. They have enough of a scientific basis to be seen as credible and that they’re likely to be effective. At the same time, peptides remain somewhat of a new frontier, with the promise of previously unknown benefits.
Their involvement in so many biological processes means peptides also have an almost unparalleled versatility. As a result, they are being touted among multiple corners of the wellness world, including:
- Skincare: Copper and collagen peptides are marketed as anti-ageing products that can improve skin elasticity, the appearance of fine lines, and overall skin health. There are also “tanning peptides”, which are said to boost melanin production, resulting in darker skin.
- Fitness: Peptide products are becoming increasingly popular with those looking to boost muscle growth and speed up recovery, due to their alleged ability to influence the production of growth hormone and aid in tissue repair.
- Biohacking: A growing number of products are sold with the promise of improving sleep, fat loss, or cognitive performance. Some products also claim to support greater longevity.
Peptides also have a growing clinical use. In addition to proven treatments, like insulin, researchers continue to pursue other therapeutic applications. Most of these are still being investigated, but immune and metabolic health applications have been the most promising to date.
What the science actually says
While some peptides have been thoroughly researched, most are still relatively untested. As such, their effects, particularly over the long term, are still largely unknown. In many instances, initial studies have delivered encouraging results, but further research is required before any benefits can be considered proven.
For example, the findings of a recent study suggest that both topical and oral collagen peptide supplements could help delay skin ageing. A recent meta-analysis also found that there is some evidence that oral hydrolyzed collagen supplements could improve skin hydration and elasticity. However, in both instances, the researchers highlighted the need for further investigation, including large-scale randomized control trials.
The story is similar for claims of peptides facilitating faster wound healing, increasing bone mass, providing an alternative to antibiotics, and preventing muscle wastage. Initial evidence suggests there’s some merit to all of these applications, but not enough to meet expected scientific standards. And, until there is, these supposed benefits continue to be merely claims.
It’s worth noting here that there’s a general belief that peptide products are unlikely to cause serious side effects. That, as most are similar enough to everyday foods to not be a major concern, there’s no harm in trying them. Given that, for regulatory purposes, dietary supplements are treated as foods, not drugs, there is some logic to this thinking.
However, it ignores the fact that, as a “food”, dietary supplements do not need to be approved before they can be sold. Many peptide treatments, including most topical and injectable products, are also classified as drugs or biological products, not dietary supplements. This is why they carry warning labels stating they are “For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary consumption.”
Put simply, this means these products have not been approved for their marketed use. While this reflects the lack of evidence for their effectiveness, it also indicates a lack of regulation. This, in turn, could indicate a lack of quality control, meaning a greater risk of undisclosed ingredients and contamination.
An example of a bigger trend
The exploding market for peptides is more than a fleeting wellness fad. It represents an appetite for more targeted, effective, science-backed approaches to managing one’s own health. It also demonstrates a willingness by some wellness product manufacturers to preference click-baiting claims over credible information.
This suggests it’s only going to get harder for average consumers to tell the spin from the science. It also illustrates the need for greater levels of media, health, and scientific literacy. To address this, many are turning to flexible learning opportunities, like those provided through Rockhurst University Online, to deepen their understanding of evidence-based healthcare and wellness.
By asking smarter questions, we can better balance our desire for innovation with the need for safety and efficacy. Simply confirming that any advice comes from a credible source and is supported by scientific consensus should be enough to combat most misinformation. And a healthy level of skepticism, particularly about promises of quick and dramatic results, allows you to see through any overblown claims.
It’s only natural to get caught up in the buzz of the latest viral obsession. But don’t just blindly jump on the bandwagon. Stay curious, invest in your wellness thoughtfully, and trust the evidence over the hype.
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