Over the past year, you may have started to hear more and more about a drug called “peptides.”
Today, peptides are being talked about for all kinds of reasons, like building muscle, improving skin, recovering faster from workouts, and dramatically enhancing the body to make it the “best” it can be. On social media, they can sound like an easy way to look or feel better and, for teens, that can be especially tempting.
But before we can even think about whether they help, it’s important to understand what they are—and what we don’t yet know about them.
Peptides are molecules known as amino acids.1 Amino acids are the “building blocks” of proteins.2
Peptides are naturally created in the body and serve several different functions. In the body, peptides act like messengers. They help control things like hunger, growth, hormone production, healing, and more. For example, a peptide you’ve probably heard of, insulin, regulates blood sugar.3
There are also prescription medications that are made from peptides, which have been carefully studied and monitored. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved over 100 peptides for various uses.
A synthetic peptide that’s been in the news lately is semaglutide, aka GLP-1s (like Ozempic or Wegovy). These medications were initially developed to help lower blood sugar in people with type-2 diabetes. 4 In recent years, however, they have been popularized as a weight-loss drug.
Other peptide medications are intended to treat conditions like:
Here’s something especially important to know: that many of the peptide products teens hear about online are very different from those medical treatments. These products are untested, unapproved, and can carry serious risks.
Peptides occur naturally in the body and have been used as medications for quite some time. But what’s changed is how peptides are being talked about, especially online.
Teens may hear that peptides can help them:
A lot of this information comes from influencers, popular athletes, and online “biohacking” communities focused on “optimizing” the body with aims of living longer. 5
Using easy-sounding scientific “hacks” like peptides to achieve desired effects can sound convincing to a young person. But claims on TikTok often leave out the risks involved.
You might hear your teen use words like “biohacking,” “peptide stacks,” “fat-burning injections,” or “looksmaxxing.” It can be hard to keep track of what these all might mean.
Biohacking refers trying to “hack” the body in order to improve its “performance.” Some “biohacks” are common, healthy evidence-based practices, like improving sleep habits or exercising regularly. Sometimes, however, biohacking involves experimenting with less reliable and largely untested methods, like peptides.
Peptide stacks means using more than one peptide at the same time in order to enhance the results. However, peptide stacks haven’t been studied and their consequences are unknown. Some doctors say that a peptide stack doesn’t mix with other prescriptions—or even each other. 6
Fat-burning injections is a broad term. It can refer to weight-loss medications intended to reduce body fat like Ozempic or Wegovy. However, it’s often used online to describe “fat-dissolving” injections, which aren’t tested extensively or approved. The FDA has only approved one “fat-dissolving” medication to be used specifically on the chin. They have warned against using any other fat-dissolving medications, which can be purchased online and given to oneself. 7
Looksmaxxing refers to the online trend of taking extreme measures to “maximize” one’s physical appearance. It’s particularly prevalent amongst boys and young men and can range from facial exercises to hair transplants to highly dangerous tactics like disordered eating or reshaping one’s face through “bone-smashing.” 8 Peptides can be a “looksmaxxing” tactic for clear skin or weight loss.
There is very little research showing these products are safe or effective for teens. On top of that, they can carry real risks, including: 9
Peptides for muscle growth and recovery
Teen bodies already produce high levels of growth hormones naturally. Adding substances that affect those systems can interfere with normal development.
Peptides for skin and appearance
This is a newer part of the trend. Some peptides are used in safety-tested, widely sold creams, serums, and moisturizers, which may help with skin texture.
But injectable peptides are very different. Online, teens may see claims that these can clear acne or improve skin quickly. The problem is that these uses are not well studied, and the risks are often not explained.
There are a few peptide-based medications that doctors can prescribe to teens who have serious health concerns related to obesity.
Medications like Saxenda and Wegovy may be used for teens aged 12 and older—but only under medical care and only when needed. They are intended to be used as part of a larger weight-loss plan. 10
If your teen is an athlete, it’s important to know that performance-enhancing peptides are not just risky—they’re banned in sports.
Organizations like the World Anti-Doping Agency and the National Collegiate Athletic Association prohibit “peptide hormones” because they act like growth factors or performance enhancers. 11
That includes substances teens may see online, such as:
According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, many of these are not approved for human use, are often sold from unregulated sources, and can lead to positive drug tests.
Even at the high school level, many sports follow rules similar to these organizations. That means a teen could:
There are rare exceptions for medically necessary prescriptions. However, these require special approval and are not typically related to performance-related peptides.
This is where many health professionals are concerned. Many peptides sold online are not tested, meaning there’s often no way to know what’s in these products or how they might affect a growing body. Some are labeled “for research use only,” which means they are not meant to be used for these purposes at all—and, most importantly, are not approved for human use. 12
The teen years are a period of rapid growth, both physically and emotionally. During this time, teens deal with constant messages about appearance and performance—especially online. Studies vary, but some research suggests that at least fifty percent of adolescents feel unhappy with their bodies, an insecurity that can last well into adulthood.13 For teens already feeling pressure or insecure about how they look, the online world can add another layer of stress.
So, it’s not surprising that a “biohack” like peptides, which promises quick results, might appeal to them. The seemingly unavoidable messaging about how people should look combined with increased access to things like peptides can lead teens to try things that may not be safe.
Teens might not want to tell you that they’re trying peptides, so changes in behavior can be the first clue:
These signs don’t always mean peptide use, but they are a reason to check in. You might ask:
“I’ve noticed some changes and I care about you. Can you tell me what’s been going on?”
If your teen brings up peptides, “biohacking,” or other “quick fixes” for their physical appearance, you don’t need a perfect response. You can start here:
“I understand why that sounds appealing. Some things can help in certain situations, but a lot of what’s online isn’t tested or safe—especially for teens. Let’s figure this out together.”
You don’t have to wait until something feels serious. Even if you’re unsure, it’s okay to ask for guidance early.
It’s a good idea to reach out to your teen’s pediatrician or health care provider if you notice ongoing physical symptoms, significant changes in mood or behavior, or signs your teen may be using unknown substances.
Your teen’s physician can help rule out medical concerns, talk with your teen, and support next steps.
Peptides are being promoted for weight loss, muscle, and skin, but most of what teens see online is not well studied or safe. Many performance-related peptides are also banned in sports and can affect a teen’s future in athletics. Your guidance, support, and connection matter more to their development than any quick fix.
What are peptides?
Peptides are molecules that form the “building blocks” of protein. In the body, they act like messengers, help control things like hunger, growth, hormone production, healing, and more. Outside of the body, peptides can be found in FDA-approved skin creams and weight-loss drugs—and in untested, unsafe products that can be found online.
What are the approved medical uses for peptides?
Peptides are approved to treat a variety of conditions, like maintaining healthy weight and blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Are GLP-1s peptides?
Yes. It stands for “glucagon-like peptide.” Common GLP-1 brands include Ozempic and Wegovy.
Are peptides safe?
There isn’t one single type of peptide. Over 100 peptides are FDA-approved for specific medical conditions, which mean they’ve been rigorously tested and are considered safe. Unapproved peptides, however, are a different story. Their ingredients and long-term effects are generally unknown, and they are not approved to help people simply look better.
What are “research use only” peptides?
Peptides labeled “research use only” have not been approved for use in humans. They can only be used in a safe, controlled laboratory. If you see a peptide online flagged as “research use only,” this is a huge red flag.
Do peptides help with muscle growth and recovery?
There is extremely limited data on whether peptide is effective—or safe—for muscle growth and recovery. Peptides cannot be prescribed for this purpose unless someone is diagnosed with a hormone growth deficiency.14
Do peptides work for skincare?
There are many widely available skincare products that contain peptides, which some research shows can help with wrinkles, dryness, and inflammation. However, peptides are only one ingredient in these products, and just because they’re included doesn’t mean they’ll work. Additionally, injectable peptides are completely different from cosmetic products containing peptides. They are not intended to be used for skincare. Injectable purchased online that claim to help with one’s physical appearance are unregulated and highly unsafe.