As injectable peptides surge online, researchers warn regulation is falling behind

Article excerpt

Researchers from major universities are sounding an alarm about a booming black market in injectable peptides, compounds marketed online for muscle-building, weight loss, and anti-aging, that operate largely outside regulatory oversight. A new viewpoint in JAMA warns that the surge in these products, often sold directly to consumers without medical supervision, is outpacing the ability of drug regulators to monitor safety or efficacy. The peptides, which mimic hormones or growth factors, carry risks including infections, contamination, and unknown long-term effects. The gap between supply and regulation creates a dangerous situation where consumers have little assurance about what they're actually injecting.