What to Know About Peptides: Benefits & Safety Concerns

Although supplements have long been a popular way to maintain overall health, a new type of supplement has recently been trending in the news: peptides.

Unlike dietary supplements, which add nutrients like vitamins and minerals, peptide supplements are touted for promoting healing and recovery, combatting aging, and boosting physical performance—key aspects of regenerative and sports medicine.

“I've seen the interest in ‘peptides’ grow significantly among athletes and the general public in the past couple years after well-known public figures shared their experiences taking them,” says Elan Goldwaser, DO, a Columbia sports medicine specialist. “But we still have a lot to learn about how effective and safe they are.”

Dr. Goldwaser explains what peptides are and current concerns around taking them in supplement form.

What are peptides?

Peptides are short chains of molecules called amino acids, which are the “building blocks” of proteins.

Many kinds of peptides are naturally found in the body and act as important messengers, telling cells when to produce hormones, repair damaged tissues, reduce inflammation, and more. One well-known peptide is insulin, which is produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar.

How are peptides used in medications and supplements?

For decades, peptides have been made in the lab to create medications for a wide range of conditions. For example, synthetic insulin and GLP-1s like Ozempic are peptide therapies that treat diabetes.

The peptides found in newer wellness supplements are also often synthetic, but they’re not FDA-approved. Instead, they’re classified as “Category 2 bulk drug substances.” This means they've been identified as having significant safety concerns, so retail pharmacies can’t legally produce them.

Peptide medications and supplements are typically administered by injection, though some come in pill, ingestible powder, or topical form.

Are there benefits to taking peptide supplements?

Peptides can speed up tissue repair and stimulate the production of human growth hormone (HGH), which impacts growth and metabolism. Because of these effects, peptide supplements have become particularly popular among athletes. In fact, bodybuilders first started using them in the 1990s-2000s as an alternative to anabolic steroids.

However, like anabolic steroids, peptides are considered performance-enhancing substances by nearly all national and international sport governing bodies, such as the NFL, NHL, NBA, and more.

In my practice, I see patients using peptides for similar reasons, including faster recovery from tendon, ligament, and muscle injuries and enhanced physical performance, including improving workout recovery, cutting fat, speeding up metabolism, promoting muscle growth, and increasing energy. Patients also use them to increase longevity, as well as reduce inflammation and manage chronic conditions like arthritis or chronic tendon or ligament injuries.

Although patients using peptides often report such benefits, these outcomes are largely anecdotal. I have yet to see peptides heal acute injuries faster than would be expected from the natural healing process.

What are the risks of peptide supplements?

Synthetic peptide use in humans is still in its infancy, and there’s extremely limited research to support their safety and efficacy. Most of the available research stems from laboratory studies and limited animal studies.

So far, documented side effects include:

• Injection site reactions
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Nausea

More concerningly, peptides are somewhat “uncontrollable” inside the body and can theoretically interact with tissues beyond the intended targets. As a result, they have the potential to activate dormant cancer cells.

Another major safety consideration is sourcing. Because many of these products are currently sold on the “gray market” as “research only” chemicals without governmental oversight, there’s no guarantee of purity, leading to risks of contamination and mislabeling.

What’s the bottom line when it comes to peptide supplements?

Overall, I think we need to approach peptide therapies with caution. While there are promising early findings, human evidence is currently very limited.

I do see a potential benefit to their use and remain optimistic that peptide therapy will soon become another regenerative treatment option for patients.

If you’re interested in trying peptide supplements, be sure to consult a licensed physician first.

Elan Goldwaser, DO, is an assistant professor of sports medicine in the Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Community Medicine at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is also the team physician for Fordham University and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, and the Ringside Physician for the New York State Athletic Commission.