So You Want to Try DIY Peptide Injections?

You're staring at a black-and-white body map for "subcutaneous injection sites" from a peptide clinic with a huge office in LA. The word on the street is that this wellness clinic has been gaining attention for its innovative approach to anti-aging and longevity treatments. But, you can't find it anywhere online. You have to be personally sent a multi-page guide and suggested weekly schedule for preparing, dosing, and administering peptides.

The entire document feels entirely "The Substance-coded," with instructions for how (and how often) to administer the peptide vials, including .5ml of bacteriostatic water. The "treatment menu" is extensive, featuring a range of experimental peptides, such as BPC-157/GHK-Cu blend, CJC/Ipamorelin blend, NAD+, Retatrutide, TB-500, and Tirzepatide. Each peptide is touted with pseudo-scientific phrases like "deep rejuvenation," "optimised ageing," "longevity," "cellular fuel," "metabolic control," and "refining physique." These claims are often accompanied by images of handsome men and women with glowing skin, hinting at the potential benefits of these mysterious peptides.

But, what exactly are peptides? Short chains of amino acids that are essentially the "building blocks" of proteins. They've been used in medicines for about 100 years, including FDA-approved drugs like Enfuvirtide for HIV or Linaclotide for IBS. The semaglutides in newer anti-diabetic-turned-weight loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy, are also considered peptides.

Peptides have become a buzzword in the beauty and longevity world, with influencers like Hailey Bieber and Kourtney Kardashian Barker swearing by weekly peptide injections. However, the online peptide market has emerged as part of the "bio-hacking" movement, where people sell unapproved drugs that were abandoned in early trials due to concerns about side effects.

Some of these peptides sold online aren't even peptides at all. Warrior Labz SARMS received a warning letter from the FDA in 2022 for selling MK-677 with the label "for research purposes only" and "not for human consumption," when it was clearly intended for human use.

The Risks of DIY Peptide Injections

According to Jonathan Jarry, science communicator at McGill University's Office for Science and Society, many of these peptides have had studies abandoned due to failed benefits. "The probability that there will be benefits is very low, but the risks of injecting yourself with something when you don't know where it came from, who manufactured it or if it was contaminated are very real."

Adam Taylor, professor of anatomy at Lancaster Medical School, warns that not all peptides are created equal and not everyone responds to them in the same way. "It is often the case that everything is OK, until it isn’t, and then people may be left out of pocket or with damage to their health."

Additionally, there's an illusion that anything injected will work better than taking it orally. NAD+ peptide therapy, for example, has gained popularity, but Imai says there have been only a few clinical trials conducted on its safety and efficacy.

The Rise of Peptide Stacking

Peptide stacking, also known as "wolverine stacks," is becoming increasingly popular among men who want to achieve the perfect physique. These peptide blends are marketed as natural ways to increase growth hormone production and can be found in black-and-white packaging with bold claims like "heightmaxxing."

"I suspect there's an appeal to peptides because they are not steroids and many of these peptides are branded as ways to naturally increase your body's production of growth hormone," says Jarry. "I think people can be easily reassured by the appeal to nature; if something has the coating of it being natural, people think it must be safe."

But, what's behind this fascination with peptides? According to Jarry, it's all about marketing. "It's not about the science; it's about selling back to us things that we naturally contain in multitudes."

The Real Risks of DIY Peptide Injections

Injecting yourself with unapproved substances bypasses some of the body's natural defenses, making you more susceptible to harm. The reality is that just because something is already in your body, it doesn't mean you should inject more of it.

"It's all about marketing," says Jarry. "When life is built around peptides, we already have plenty of peptides in our bodies."