Have you heard about peptides? If you have, you might be under the impression that these building-block amino acids are the key to everything from glowing skin to enhanced strength, immunity, memory and even increased longevity. And while they’re getting a lot of press right now, peptides are nowhere near a new phenomenon.

We spoke to Dr. Anthony Brissett, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with Houston Methodist, about what peptides have (and haven’t) been proven to do so you don’t get lost in unfounded promises with peptide-based therapies.  

What are peptides?

“Peptides are short-chain amino acids that provide signaling for the cell and can do a variety of activities,” Dr. Brissett says. “They can work to upregulate or downregulate cells.”

First described by the chemist Emil Fischer in the early 20th century, peptides are the building blocks of proteins. They occur naturally in the body and can also be absorbed from our food or created synthetically.

This signaling role is what makes the thousands of peptides in the body crucial to so many different functions, including creating hormones, regulating blood sugar and blood pressure, ovulation and many more. Insulin, endorphins, oxytocin and vasopressin are all peptides, for example. Some peptides have been well-studied and clinically proven to be used as medications for various conditions for decades or longer.

“Peptides have been around for over 100 years,” Dr. Brissett says. “One of the longest-known peptide treatments is insulin.”

Why peptides are getting so much attention

A lot of the recent buzz comes from FDA-approved peptide-based medications for diabetes and weight loss, including GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide.

“The GLP-1s have unlocked our understanding of peptides and the impact that it has in relationship to diabetes and other issues, including dementia, weight loss and some of the other secondary effects that occur with weight loss,” Dr. Brissett says.

“Peptides” has become a bit of a catchall term for injectable medications, but there are currently two broad groups. On one end are products like insulin and GLP-1 medications, which Dr. Brissett describes as FDA-approved, regulated and backed by human clinical trials. On the other end, there are the so-called wellness peptides promoted online, where the claims can be wide-ranging, but the supporting research is more limited.

The emerging market of non-FDA-approved peptide compounds from wellness companies and promoted by some content creators is said to help with everything from skin care to inflammation, recovery, energy, sleep, sexual health or muscle growth.

“There are a lot of peptides that are discussed either online, in chat rooms or other places and we’ll see them discussed in relationship to individual activity as well as being discussed in relationship to stacks. Some of those might be BPC-157, TB-500 or MT-2. There are a lot of claims, but those claims are not necessarily factual.”

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Dr. Anthony Brissett, facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon

Dr. Brissett says this is where things can get blurry for consumers. The online chatter can make the products and claims seem more established and safer than they really are. That does not automatically mean every less-studied peptide is useless or dangerous. It does mean the evidence is not settled, and the products require more study and scrutiny, according to Dr. Brissett.

Access to certain peptides is set to expand in compounding pharmacies, telehealth

Consumers should not assume all peptide products carry the same level of oversight, reliability or safety.

An advisory panel of the FDA voted in July 2026 to support lifting restrictions against certain peptides to address a surge in interest, including BPC-157, KPV, MOTS-c, TB-500, epitalon and semax. The panel included doctors, compounding pharmacists and pharmacy business executives as well as peptide vendors. This means these six peptides have been added to a list of substances that allow compounding pharmacies to produce them. To have access, individuals would need to have a prescription from a doctor and use the therapy for a specific condition, not just for nonspecific use such as “longevity.”

It’s an important distinction that this decision does not constitute FDA approval of these peptides.

“Some of the peptides that are discussed still have a lot to be researched and discovered, and our FDA will be spending more time looking into that,” Dr. Brissett says. “Promise does not necessarily translate to outcomes.”

What to know about peptides for weight loss

Curious about peptides for weight loss? Dr. Brissett points back to the established weight loss medications, including GLP-1s.

“If someone is looking to try peptides for weight loss in the marketplace, the advice that I would say would be one, consult your physician, and use an FDA-regulated product,” Dr. Brissett says. “The other advice that I would say is to stay away from products that are compounded and that are not prescribed by your physician. Avoid products that may say, ‘For Experimental Use’ or ‘Not for Human Use,’ as those products are not regulated. We don't necessarily know their consistency or the dosing.”

MOTS-c, one of the peptides recently approved for expanded use by the FDA, is created from mitochondrial DNA, and thought to play a role in cellular metabolism. A small number of studies in cells and animals suggest the peptide may help with weight loss, insulin control and growing bone. However, there has been no research conducted in humans, nor is there any safety data regarding short- or long-term use.

There is a lot of advice online about how someone could approach using both regulated and unregulated products. Dr. Brissett emphasizes working with a doctor if you want to try a peptide-based medication for weight loss. Without proper medical advice, you could unintentionally harm yourself with unregulated products. Additionally, it can be easier to become frustrated or experience side effects that may cause you to quit regulated medications before really knowing if the medicine is right for you. A doctor can guide you through the entire process of taking weight loss medication, offering personalized advice that can help you succeed.

What to know about peptides in skin care

Skin care is probably where peptide marketing is overhyped, according to Dr. Brissett. He says that peptides face a formidable foe when it comes to cosmeceuticals: the skin barrier. As the outermost layer of skin, the stratum corneum or skin barrier, is the body’s first line of defense against the elements. It keeps out bacteria, UV radiation, chemicals and helps us maintain moisture.

“Peptides, in general, are very unstable, and that’s why they’re oftentimes injected,” Dr. Brissett says. “So if they come out of a bottle, box or a jar, it's reasonable to say that they may have some impact, but there's no real knowledge that the product is going to have any significant effects.”

A lot of skin care marketing has taken on scientific language and hypes up ingredient names to sell products. Dr. Brissett cautions to be wary of outlandish claims.

“Some peptides will be marketed as ‘Botox in bottles,’” Dr. Brissett says. “How can that work? Botox works by stopping the neurotransmitter from going from the nerve to the muscle. If you're just rubbing it in the skin, there's no way that it could affect the muscle because of the skin barrier. That matters because a product can sound sophisticated and still have limited ability to do what it claims, so we must manage our expectations.”

Dr. Brissett does see potential promise in certain peptide products in specific situations, such as after resurfacing treatments with lasers or microneedling.

“These treatments create an open area that these products can then be used on and can be absorbed to aid in regeneration and overall improved healing,” Dr. Brissett says. “Some of the copper peptides and tripeptides are great examples of that. Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 is a good option for healing in general.”

KPV, a peptide derived from a hormone from the pituitary gland, was one of the peptides that was voted to have restrictions lifted. In cream form, it is said to aid in healing wounds, addressing inflammatory skin conditions and potentially strengthening the immune system. It is also alleged that it can help with the effects of a variety of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, Lyme disease, mold toxicity and more. Currently, there is no published data on whether KPV is effective or safe for human use, and one study showed that the peptide was inefficient in permeating the skin barrier of human cadavers, which could limit its effectiveness.

When it comes to skin care, Dr. Brissett says tried-and-true products are often the best and where we should put hard-earned dollars first.

“If you're interested in starting peptides for your skin care, that's not where you start. One should start with all of the things that we know are proven winners, including sunscreens, cleansers, toners, moisturizers, tretinoin, antioxidants,” Dr. Brissett says. “Use all of those things with guidance from a skincare professional, whether it's a facial plastic surgeon, dermatologist or esthetician. There are lots of options that are out there in relationship to skin care regimens.”

But if you're having concerns and you're not necessarily getting your needs met, Dr. Brissett says some cosmeceutical products have peptides that may be a benefit for you.

What to know about peptides for sleep, headaches and other neurological concerns

Epitalon

Epitalon is a derivative substance taken from the pineal glands, which regulate circadian rhythm, melatonin production and the sleep-wake cycle, in cattle. This peptide is said to help treat insomnia, as a single human study suggested it can increase melatonin production.

Epitalon is also being marketed online as a longevity peptide, with its proponents saying it can slow aging and prevent a number of age-related conditions. A few studies in preclinical models have suggested the peptide could inhibit tumor growth, due to the peptide’s alleged benefit in lengthening telomeres, the protective DNA caps at the end of chromosomes. While having short telomeres is associated with premature aging, long telomeres have been shown to cause cancer and CHIP, a blood disorder that increases the risk of blood cancers and heart disease. Regulators are concerned that long-term use of epitalon could cause cancer to develop.

Emideltide

Emideltide is a peptide produced by the brain, and it’s said to be connected to circadian rhythm and inducing sleep, specifically stage 3 sleep, also called delta sleep or slow-wave sleep. Studies show that the peptide has been able to elicit this deep sleep in animals. Human studies of the peptide go back to the 1980s, when the peptide was given intravenously to see if it would aid insomnia patients to fall and stay asleep compared to a placebo. The studies were small and had limitations, and data is even more sparse for conditions such as narcolepsy. Studies tied to the peptide aiding individuals in opioid withdrawal did not have a placebo control. The FDA advisory council did not vote to expand access to this peptide.

Semax

This peptide, which can be injected or used as a nasal spray, is connected to treating conditions such as migraine, intense chronic pain on one side of the face (trigeminal neuralgia) and decreased blood flow to the brain (cerebral ischemia). Online, the peptide is being purported to help with everything from Parkinson’s disease and ALS to ADHD and anxiety. The peptide is also alleged to increase growth factors for neuroplasticity in the brain.

The nasal spray is available as a medication in Russia, and much of the research conducted on the peptide is published in Russian or comes from conference presentations that don’t provide access to the full data.

The ‘Barbie peptide’ and why it raises concern

One peptide nickname that has circulated online is the “Barbie peptide.” Dr. Brissett says that term refers to melanotan II (MT-2), a peptide associated with stimulating pigment. Online, people often market it as a way to tan without the UV damage of tanning beds or the sun. Despite the catchy name, this is one of the peptides that worry Dr. Brissett.

Research shows that using the peptide may be linked to an increased chance of developing melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. In addition to melanoma, the FDA warns that using this peptide could potentially cause brain swelling, toxicity to the sympathetic nervous system and priapism, a long-lasting erection that is considered a urological emergency.

“This is one of the peptides that I have concern with because it does stimulate pigment production, it can theoretically stimulate aspects related to melanoma,” Dr. Brissett says. “Until we have more significant understanding, that’s one that I would stay away from.”

The ‘Wolverine peptide’ and what that name actually means

Another peptide popular in biohacking circles with a catchy superhero-adjacent name is the “Wolverine peptide.” Dr. Brissett says that is not a single peptide but a stack, meaning a combination of more than one peptide used together.

“The Wolverine peptide is essentially two peptides stacked together, TB-500 and BPC-157,” Dr. Brissett says. “Both of those are touted to have regenerative and wound-healing characteristics, hence the name, and it’s been a very popular discussion point.”

This particular stack has gained attention for its potential to aid in tendon, ligament and muscle injuries, as well as reduce scar tissue and repair tissue.

TB-500

This peptide, widely touted as being effective in healing wounds, was first developed as a performance-enhancing drug for horse and greyhound racing. Its proponents say it is effective in tissue repair, lowering inflammation and improving sports performance. The FDA could not find any studies about its use in humans, and the FDA report showed only one study in mice.

BPC-157

BPC-157, or bepecin or body protection compound, have had some human studies showing benefit for issues such as knee pain, bladder-related pain or symptoms of ulcerative colitis. These studies had issues, however, as two studies did not have a placebo group and another was not peer-reviewed. Some adverse effects have been reported to the FDA, and safety data from some animal studies showed BPC-157 can affect liver function and blood clotting.

“There’s no clear evidence that these two peptides together have any meaningful impact,” Dr. Brissett says.

The biggest concern with compounded peptides is safety

For the non-regulated side of the peptide market, Dr. Brissett keeps returning to one issue: safety. Many, if not most, of the peptides and stacks popular on the internet are not cleared by the FDA for human (or even veterinary) use.

He raises questions about contamination, dosing, regulation and whether consumers truly know what they are putting in their bodies.

“Is this product contaminated? Is this product regulated? Do we know what the dosing is on this product? These products will sometimes come from labs that are only used in animal testing, and it's up to the consumer to be able to identify what the dilutions are, what the dosing is and other aspects,” Dr. Brissett says. “In some studies, we've identified that some people are dosing themselves at four, five, or ten times physiologic levels. And if you're dosing yourself, setting those levels, then we certainly don't know what that impact is going to be. We don't know the half-life of some of these products in comparison to what would be found normally in the body.”

Most of us aren’t pharmacists, so trying to navigate injections without clear instructions can be dangerous and is a very different situation from using medication prescribed and monitored by a physician.

“My concerns as it relates to non-FDA use of peptides is primarily related to safety,” Dr. Brissett says. “My second is related to effectiveness — is it really something that's providing the outcome and the impact that you feel is needed and necessary? And is it really needed at all?”