The US FDA defines peptides as being 40 amino acids or less.

The US FDA issued a 2025 warning about BPC-157 and other popular peptides that are marketed for various regenerative properties.

China is producing many peptides or peptide components sold in the US.

Peptides like GLP-1 account for 31 of 370 new drugs approved by the US FDA between 2016 and 2023.

Peptide TB-500, promoted for regenerative healing, is not FDA approved

Watch a board-certified sports medicine therapist detail his thinking about this synthetic peptide; he says it's "promising but unproven." He notes that this product is designed to mimic the natural protein thymosin beta-4, found in human and animal tissues, which promotes wound healing. TB-500 is classified as a research peptide for recovery, meaning it's not approved for human use and has not yet undergone rigorous human trials on its safety and efficacy.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has banned many peptides

The global body has an entire section dedicated to banned peptide hormones, including ones that may stimulate growth hormones and testosterone. BPC-157 was added to the list in 2022.

Read a deep dive on the 'all-purpose healing' peptide BPC-157.

The word peptide comes from Greek

Originating from the Greek term "peptos," which means digestible, peptide as a word refers to two or more amino acids. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

Diabetes drug GLP-1 is a peptide (that's what the 'P' is for).

Two festival-goers were hospitalized after receiving trendy peptide injections, raising safety questions that may extend beyond the event.

Read the FDA's statement on concerns over compound pharmacies

GLP-1 drugs popularity for weight loss and treating diabetes, led to a significant supply shortage and the rise of compound pharmacies, which produce customized drug formulations but lack formal approval from regulators. The drugs are ostensibly the same, but manufacturing methods lead to variations in concentration, filler compounds, and more.

Peptide research dates back to the late 1800s

Peptide science dates back to the late 1800s with some early peptide synthesis work, but peptides took off in the medical sphere after surgeon Frederick Banting and his colleague's isolation of insulin from dog pancreases in 1921.

Hormone and peptide compounds imported from China soared in 2025

US customs data indicates that these imports doubled to $328M in the first three quarters of 2025, from $164M in the same period of 2024. The imports include GLPs, among other products. (Some users may experience a paywall.)

Peptides like BPC-157 are marketed based largely on animal studies, not human research

BPC-157, which purportedly helps with tissue repair and muscle growth, can cause concerning side effects, including pain and swelling. TB-500, another experimental peptide, is marketed for wound healing, but it hasn't undergone any clinical human trials, and high levels of this peptide have been linked to tumor growth. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

Early peptide research focused on isolating the substances from animal tissue

In the first half of the 20th century, peptides including insulin and adrenocorticotropic hormone were isolated from animals to provide life-saving medicines. ACTH was isolated from the pituitary glands of cows and pigs and insulin was isolated from the pancreas of dogs and cows.

Peptides may have predated ribosomes—the cell's protein factory

Some scientists have hypothesized that peptides and RNA molecules may have coevolved as a single, mixed "chimeric" molecule, fueling the beginning of protein production and predating a primitive version of the ribosome. All life today uses ribosomes to make peptides. (Some users may experience a paywall.)

The FDA does not approve dietary supplements before they go to market

The US Food and Drug Administration does not regulate products including vitamins, probiotics, and herbal mixes as drugs due to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, which amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Because dietary supplements are regulated as a subcategory of foods, inspectors do not assess whether dietary supplements work as advertised before sale.

The dietary market is worth more than $60B

Listen to this question and answer session with the US Food and Drug Administration about dietary supplements—vitamins, minerals, probiotics and similar products people may buy in liquid, pill, or powder form. They are categorized legally as a category of food and can be legally brought to market without the FDA even knowing about it, though consumers can tell FDA about issues with the products and FDA can take action to remove dangerous or unlawful items after they're available.

BPC-157 stands for Body Protection Compound-157.

In 2026, the FDA proposed a novel approach to expedite reviews of gene therapies for patients with rare genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, potentially bypassing the need for years-long clinical trials if approved.

The US FDA recently tried to regulate the expanded prenatal genetic tests

The agency proposed a new rule in 2023 to make it explicit that these types of tests are devices under existing law and clarify that that the agency could move to regulate them. They finalized a regulatory change in 2024 that added the words "including when the manufacturer of these products is a laboratory" to an existing law, but a federal district court vacated that edit in March 2025—returning the law to as it was before.

Psychedelics are being fast-tracked for research after a 2026 executive order

Many such compounds (including LSD, psilocybin, and more) are classified as Schedule I drugs—illegal to possess and federally regarded as having no medical use. Researchers say such restrictions have created significant hurdles for formal clinical trials. With this executive order, the FDA will enable work particularly focused on depression, PTSD, and alcohol use disorder.

See this list of FDA-approved gene therapies, including offerings for inherited conditions as well as some forms of cancer.

Food companies are exploring 'GLP-1 friendly' diet labels

Producers of foods like Healthy Choice frozen meals are placing "GLP-1 friendly" labels on their food, but there's no regulation about what that label means. Nutritionists say that GLP-1s can help reduce appetite, but healthy, balanced diets are a necessary complement to the medications. Data shows that about half of GLP-1 users quit these medications within a year and then rapidly regain weight, underscoring the importance of also prioritizing healthy eating.

Reporting if supplements make you ill helps FDA know what products to investigate

The US Food and Drug Administration regulates supplements like foods and can only take action about a supplement if they learn that there are problems with it after it's on the market. This website allows consumers, industry, and others to file a complaint about a product that made them ill or raised other concerns.

Supplement sales soared during the pandemic, alongside growing distrust of the health establishment, amplifying a trend that endures—even when some of the products don't even work.

USP-verified label on supplements means a nonprofit confirmed what's in the bottle

The black-and-yellow USP-verified program seal on a dietary supplement bottle means that the nonprofit US Pharmacopeia tested a sample of the product and verified that it was made in a facility with good manufacturing practices and that it will dissolve in the body. Their certification also means they tested to confirm that the product contains the ingredients listed on the bottle at the specified levels, and that it doesn't contain harmful levels of certain dangerous contaminants.

Most of the 86,000 consumer chemicals registered with the US EPA have never received rigorous toxicity testing, though not all those are still in current use.

Proof of 'natural' food claims are voluntary for most food products

Unlike the enforcement done by the USDA for meat, dairy and eggs, the FDA offers loose guidelines for using a "natural" food label on most foods, and following the guidelines is voluntary. As a result, many products labeled as "natural" can contain processed ingredients and synthetic additives.

The FDA rejected MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD in 2024, calling for more research

The decision was considered to be a major setback for moving psychedelics into the mainstream for mental health treatment. Pharmaceutical company Lykos, who had applied for the approval, had already attracted significant support from patients, politicians on both sides of the aisle, and leaders in the mental health field.

Dietary supplements are regulated like foods

This hour-long 2016 documentary from Frontline, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and The New York Times examined the safety of dietary supplements. It noted that this then-$30B industry (it's at least doubled since then) suffers from irregularities and impurities. It warned that many Americans are unaware of the lack of regulatory oversight over these products.

A comprehensive review of BPC-157 studies identified no human safety data

This meta-analysis included available studies on this peptide from 1993-2024, and identified 36 studies. It found 35 preclinical (nonhuman) studies and one retrospective study in humans of musculoskeletal pain following injections of BPC-157 for unspecified chronic knee pain. In that one human study, 7 of 12 patients receiving BPC-157 reported relief after the injections (though many had injuries that often heal on their own over time).

The US FDA considered mitochondrial replacement therapy during 2014 hearings

An agency committee assessed if this approach could have undesirable ripple effects across multiple generations and whether a clinical trial involving this approach would be appropriate. As of 2026, the US has continued to prohibit this procedure though it is legal in other settings including the UK and Australia.

As of 2025, the FDA states that microplastics have not yet been shown to pose a risk to human health, though it acknowledges that evidence suggests microplastics and nanoplastics have entered the food supply.

This is not a chip

Pringles aren’t chips—legally speaking. In the US, the FDA said they’re not potato chips. In the UK, courts ruled they’re not even crisps. Turns out, being 42% potato creates a lot of legal confusion. So what are they, really?

In the US, 'organic food' is defined by the USDA

Food products can only be classified as “organic” if they meet the standards defined by the US Department of Agriculture. For crops, that means avoiding prohibited substances and genetic engineering, among other requirements. For livestock, that includes a minimum number of grazing days.

Explore a database of generic drugs to trace their origins and identify any safety concerns.

Meet six commercially available synbio products

An article exploring the science behind synbio products currently on the market, and projecting the products that can be expected over the next 10 years.

Used since the 1940s, 'forever chemicals' include thousands of different types of substances routinely integrated into industry and consumer products, yet research suggests they can accumulate in the body over time.

FDA approved the first ever peanut allergy treatment in January 2020

This new medication, called Palforzia, is designed to stave off severe reactions from accidental peanut exposures with a daily dose that is increased over time under an allergist’s supervision. It’s not a treatment that should be administered during an allergic reaction, however. Epinephrine, usually administered via injection, remains the intervention for severe reactions.

In June 2026, EU food safety regulators approved sales of a GLP-1-inducing food additive, a change that may lead to 'supercharged' cereals and breads in Europe within a year. (free w/email)

Biotech is trying to boost drug production efficiency—using chicken eggs

A company called Neion Bio is genetically engineering birds in a bid to produce medical compounds, a herculean task that scientists have struggled with for decades. The US FDA has approved only one chicken-derived drug in the past—an expensive treatment for a rare liver disorder. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

Are psychedelics legal in your state?

The answer is usually more complicated than a simple yes or no. This resource includes a state-by-state and international breakdown of current psychedelics legislation and reform. As of November 2023, psychedelics are fully illegal in 18 states, though there still may be religious or medical exemptions depending on the drug in question. Legislation reform and decriminalization efforts are ongoing.

In 2015, the FDA approved the first 3D-printed prescription tablet

Spritam, an epilepsy medication, had been too large and difficult to swallow, particularly due to its inability to dissolve easily. The new pill was designed with porous layers to enhance its dissolvability, paving the way for future 3D printing of drugs.

See which GLP-1 drugs are currently approved (along with their cost)

Around 75% of prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs are used to treat diabetes, while the remainder is used for weight loss. This overview from GoodRX includes a list and overview of currently available options along with prices for each.

Forever chemicals are so common that experts concluded in 2022 that it's uncertain whether limiting consumer exposure would truly reduce one's exposure to these substances, and noted it would still take years for the body to clear them.

US federal researchers are blocked from putting certain human cells in animals

In 2015, US policymakers put a halt to any government-funded work that would insert human stem cells into animals. The reasoning was that human cells might spread through the animal's body and perhaps to its brain, blurring the line between humans and nonhumans. The ban remains in place today even as gene-edited pig parts are being placed in humans.

Why are drug dealers putting fentanyl in everything?

A few grains of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid far more potent than heroin or morphine, are enough to kill a typical adult human. It's made its way into other, less lethal street drugs, where it may be used to increase the highs experienced by unknowing users, increasing their likelihood of addiction and overdose.

Compounding pharmacies make custom drug formulations during drug shortages

Compounded semaglutide refers to customized versions of the medication prepared by pharmacies, especially during shortages of FDA-approved products like Ozempic and Wegovy. While compounded forms of brand-name medications can make it easier to access the drugs, the quality of such medications often varies.

A physician with a rare and deadly disease saved his own life by identifying an existing medication that he repurposed for his condition, and now he's using AI to try to do the same for other patients.

Opioids are a class of drugs including fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, and more.