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Peptides — short chains of amino acids — are being hyped in gyms, wellness clinics, and online forums as anti-ageing, muscle-building, and fat-burning injections. While approved peptide drugs such as insulin and semaglutide are well-established in medicine, the compounds now circulating in fitness circles, like BPC-157, TB500, and IGF-1 LR3, are largely untested in humans. Early animal studies suggest potential benefits for tissue repair and muscle growth, fuelling their rise as “biohacks,” but without the safeguards of clinical trials, their true effects remain unknown.
Some of the most talked-about substances include BPC-157, linked in animal research to healing tendons and digestive organs, and TB500, thought to aid tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation. Together, they’re marketed as the “Wolverine stack,” evoking the Marvel hero’s rapid healing powers. IGF-1 LR3, meanwhile, has shown dramatic muscle gains in animal studies but no confirmed safety or efficacy in humans. Limited human data is plagued by methodological flaws, making the promising claims far from proven.
The risks, however, are clearer. These experimental peptides can cause severe allergic reactions, heart failure, injection-site injuries like compartment syndrome, and infections including HIV and hepatitis from contaminated supplies. Some compounds activate biological pathways also exploited by cancers, raising concerns about long-term effects. With no regulatory approval, these products operate in a legal and medical grey zone, prompting bans from organisations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Despite the dangers, use appears to be climbing sharply — from about 8% of gymgoers in 2014 to an estimated 29% in 2024, with most users unaware of the full risks. Experts warn that without proper human testing, consumers are effectively experimenting on themselves, chasing performance and recovery gains in exchange for unknown and potentially life-threatening consequences.
