For centuries, society has focused on vanity as the key source of worth in individuals. With the rise of social media in the past decades, this desire for physical perfection has only grown with ease. Social media exposes thousands of influential young adults and teenagers to photoshopped, unrealistic beauty expectations and causes the desire for a fast, simple way to achieve these goals. The danger of peptides rises exponentially as young people begin to associate beauty and health with the advice of influencers, wellness gurus and celebrities instead of qualified individuals.
“I learned about peptides on TikTok. Most videos that I saw of peptides were normalizing them, like using peptides as a daily routine type thing. It was confusing because the videos made it seem like injecting peptides was a normal thing. I think they’re terrible; they’re very close to plastic surgery in my opinion. If you are that unsure in your own skin, then I think you need help,” junior Jerel Alston said.
Synthetic peptides fall under the category of biohacking, a controversial approach of do-it-yourself (DIY) lifestyle changes that promise beauty and health. The trend of using peptides emerged in 2022, during which fitness influencers like Joe Rogan and Gary Brecka promoted the use of alternative therapies to achieve aesthetic goals. Individuals claimed that injectable peptides would promote muscle growth, weight loss, anti-aging qualities and faster recovery, which sparked the public’s interest in the products.
The demand for peptides grew in 2023, causing markets advertising the products to appear. A high percentage of these therapies remain unregulated and lack clinical evidence of their benefits, yet social media seems to push the opposite agenda. TikTok, an incredibly popular social media application, produces sponsored content for individuals. Hundreds of TikTok users garner an audience as they speak of the supposed benefits of unregulated drugs. Currently, the app offers peptides on the TikTok shop, allowing any individual to purchase the items for five dollars a vial. Similarly, users on Reddit and Instagram share their stories using peptides and explain what combinations they consume to obtain different results in their bodies.
“I know that people take peptides to change their body, like lose or gain weight. I first saw them on TikTok. Peptides can be good and bad, I think. If you really want to change your body, then I think you should be able to, but I would never take them,” sophomore Charlie Borst said.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved dozens of peptides, such as Insulin and GLP-1 drugs, as medicines for adults with diabetes and obesity. Yet, other types of peptides, such as BPC-157 — which Rogan promoted — and TB-500 remain banned from international sports authorities as doping substances. Still, dozens of influential content creators refuse to acknowledge the risk of these substances and instead promote the drugs, claiming that since peptides naturally occur within the body, they will not cause harm.
Dangerous and inaccurate assumptions flood the internet, influencing people daily. With the increasing availability of unregulated and under-tested products online, social media users chasing aesthetic ideals face danger. Individuals should always consult with their healthcare provider before consuming any medication and should stay cautious and informed of the risks of peptides.
