The ‘Wild West’ of peptides is booming. Here’s what’s real, what’s risky and what’s next | CNN

In the early 2020s, interest in GLP-1 weight loss drugs exploded. Now, as we move deeper into the decade, a new buzzword is taking over: peptides. And the demand for peptides continues to surge. “The GLP-1s put it on the map, and then people were like, ‘Well, what’s next?’” said Evan Miller, founder and CEO of Gameday Men’s Health, a concierge men’s health network that provides peptides and other care. You’ve probably seen wellness TikTokers or elite athletes refer to peptides as a way to speed muscle recovery, slow aging or simply optimize overall health. At the same time, federal health officials are starting to take notice. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a number of peptides as medications, but many other peptides promoted online are not approved. Under current FDA rules, many of these also are not eligible to be dispensed by compounding pharmacies, and experts warn that rising demand is fueling an online black market that could be risky. The FDA’s Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet in July to review certain peptides and discuss potentially easing restrictions around them. US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert

Apr 13, 2026 → Apr 13, 2026