Americans are injecting themselves with unproven peptides sold by
influencers and RFK Jr. allies
[November 14, 2025]
By MATTHEW PERRONE
Associated Press (AP) — More Americans are injecting themselves with
unapproved chemicals that are pitched as ways to build muscle,
rejuvenate skin and extend life, the latest example of the nation’s
fascination with alternative therapies and wellness hacks.
Behind the trend is the surging popularity of GLP-1 weight loss
medications, a class of so-called peptides approved to help users
quickly shed pounds.
But the peptides being promoted by influencers, celebrities and wellness
gurus are different: Many have never been approved for human use and
much of their purported evidence comes from studies in rats and other
animals. Several peptides, such as BPC-157 and TB-500, are banned by
international sports authorities as doping substances.
“None of them are proven,” said Dr. Eric Topol, a research methods
expert and director of Scripps Research Translational Institute. “None
of them have gone through what would be considered adequate clinical
trials, but nonetheless many people are taking these. It’s actually
quite extraordinary.”
Those who’ve highlighted peptides’ benefits include Health Secretary
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has built a national following among
Americans who are deeply skeptical of health experts, pharmaceutical
companies and traditional medicine.
For years, the Food and Drug Administration has been trying to crack
down on the space, sending warning letters to clinics that promote the
products and adding more than two dozen peptides to a list of
ingredients that should not be made by specialty pharmacies that often
custom mix the formulations.
That approach may be coming to an end.
Kennedy has vowed to end "FDA’s war” on peptides and other alternative
treatments that are embraced by many in his Make America Healthy Again
movement.
Some of Kennedy’s friends and associates are among the biggest
proponents, including self-described “biohacker” and “longevity expert”
Gary Brecka, who sells peptide injectables, patches and nasal sprays
through his website for $350 to $600 each.
In a May appearance on Brecka’s podcast, Kennedy again promised to “end
the war at FDA” on peptides, stem cells, psychedelics and other fringe
therapies.
“Music to my ears,” Brecka replied.
Brecka declined to be interviewed for this story.
Peptides are now part of the ‘circus' of unproven wellness products
Peptides are essentially the building blocks of more complex proteins.
Inside the human body, peptides trigger hormones needed for growth,
metabolism and healing.
The FDA has approved a number of peptides as medications, including
insulin for diabetics who don't naturally produce it and human growth
hormone for children with developmental disorders caused by low levels
of the hormone.
But many other peptides promoted online have never been approved, making
them technically illegal to market as drugs. Under current FDA guidance
these peptides also are ineligible for compounding — the process in
which pharmacies mix made-to-order medications for patients.
That hasn’t stopped celebrities and influencers from touting them.
Joe Rogan, for example, has repeatedly praised BPC-157, a peptide
derived from acids found in the gut.
“I had tendonitis in my elbow, I started using BPC-157 and it was gone
in two weeks,” Rogan told his podcast audience last year.
He is among the celebrity clients listed on the website of Ways 2 Well,
a Texas-based company that offers peptides, stem cells, vitamin
infusions and other alternative treatments.
It’s all part of “the circus of unproven, expensive and possibly
dangerous” offerings promoted by wellness and longevity clinics, said
Topol, who has written about the industry.
For $99, Ways 2 Well offers a “peptide consult" with a physician, after
which the company ships the peptide vials along with a “full kit with
dosing, instructions and syringes,” according to its website.
Company founder Brigham Buhler is a former pharmaceutical sales rep. He
did not respond to requests for comment.
Peptides are often pitched as a ‘natural’ alternative to modern
medicine
Andrea Steinbrenner, a consulting executive, said she became intrigued
by peptides after hearing about their benefits for “longevity, repair,
anti-aging and energy,” from an acquaintance who runs a clinic outside
of San Diego.
Steinbrenner and her husband now receive monthly infusions at the
clinic, in addition to daily supplements.
“I think peptides are popular right now because we are the aging
generation and we are looking for alternatives to modern day medicine,”
she said. “I absolutely believe in modern day, western medicine— it’s
necessary. But there’s a lot of other things in the universe that the
earth supplies.”
[to top of second column]
|
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., speaks
at the inaugural Make America Healthy Again Summit at the Waldorf
Astoria Hotel, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP
Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
 Peptide proponents often suggest
their products are safe because they are based on substances found
in the body.
“Unlike synthetic pharmaceuticals, peptides are naturally recognized
by your body,” Brecka told his more than 2 million Instagram
followers in February.
Critics point out that the peptides for sale are often imperfect
synthetics and are taken at doses much higher than any peptides in
the body, raising the risk of allergic reactions and other harms.
Brecka sells more than a half-dozen peptides, including ipamorelin
and CJC-1295 — both of which the FDA has flagged for serious safety
risks.
Like other peptides sold on Brecka’s website, the ipamorelin vials
carry the labeling: “research use only.”
Research claims are often a ploy to dodge regulators
The “research use” language is pervasive across the peptide space,
even in forums where users trade tips for buying, dosing and
“stacking” different drug combinations.
One Facebook group instructs members what words to avoid: “instead
of ‘taking’ you are ’researching' peptides.”
Lawyers who work in the field say the language is an attempt to
skirt FDA regulations. The agency does not oversee chemicals that
aren’t intended for human use.
It’s often unclear whether such peptides are being produced in the
U.S. by pharmacies and mislabeled for research, or whether they are
being purchased from chemical manufacturers, many located in China
and not subject to FDA drug quality standards.
“Research-grade peptides are going to have junk in them,” said Paul
Knoepfler, a cellular biologist at the University of California
Davis. “They’re going to have chemicals used in the purification
process and fragments of peptides that you don’t want.”
On platforms like TikTok, companies in China and other countries
offer to ship dozens of peptide varieties to the U.S. for as little
as $5 a vial.
“What’s actually in there?” Knoepfler said. “If someone injects it
under their skin, what are they getting?"
FDA has worked to restrict peptides for years
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA issued over a half-dozen
warning letters to businesses promoting peptides with
“immune-boosting powers."
Then in 2023, the agency added nearly 20 peptides to a list of
substances that should not be compounded due to safety risks.
Pharmacies violating the measure risk fines, legal action or
potential loss of their state licenses.
That triggered pushback from wellness entrepreneurs and compounding
pharmacies, including lawsuits.
One coalition, Save Peptides, warned its followers: “Our basic human
rights to access alternative medical care using regenerative
peptides is being stripped away by the FDA.”
A lawsuit brought by a large compounding pharmacy alleged that
regulators had skipped legally required steps when adding peptides
to FDA's list of high-risk substances. The litigation forced the
agency to backtrack, and the FDA late last year agreed to convene
two public meetings of outside advisers to review several peptides
flagged for safety risks.
In each case, the experts agreed with the FDA, voting that the
substances were too risky to be compounded.
Some in the industry disagree.
“Physicians should have every available arrow in the quiver to treat
illness and, because of the FDA’s inaction, they don’t,” said Lee
Rosebush, who helped bring the lawsuit against FDA and represents a
group of large compounding pharmacies.
Changes may be coming
The FDA, under Kennedy's authority, recently removed a number of
experts from the compounding advisory panel.
That could pave the way for appointing more peptide-friendly experts
who might vote to allow some of the drugs that the FDA previously
barred. Alternately, the FDA could simply release a list of peptides
and tell pharmacies and clinics that the agency won't enforce bans
against them.
For now, doctors say they are fielding more questions from patients
excited about peptides and seeking prescriptions.
“Patients should be really asking their health care professionals:
Are these medications safe long term?” says Dr. Anita Gupta of the
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, who served on FDA’s compounding
committee until earlier this year. “That’s the question I would ask
if I was a patient.”
___
AP video journalist Javier Arciga contributed to this story from San
Diego.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
