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Influencers are obsessed with peptides. What does the science say?

Influencers are obsessed with peptides. What does the science say?

60-Second Science vor 5 Monaten

As peptide “stacking” takes over social media feeds, we separate the science from the hype of the Internet’s latest wellness obsession

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Peptides are everywhere right now—from weight-loss drugs to TikTok
wellness hacks—but the science hasn’t caught up with the hype.
Journalist Victoria Song joins Science Quickly host Rachel Feltman
to break down what peptides actually are, why influencers are
promoting “research-only” versions you can buy and inject yourself,
and what risks are posed by this growing gray-market trend. From
misleading marketing to real safety concerns, we unpack the
Internet’s latest wellness obsession. Recommended Reading:
“Influencers are pushing suspicious peptides. How much are you
willing to risk?” by Victoria Song in the Verge. Published online
January 23, 2026 “I don’t think Gwyneth Paltrow knows what a
peptide is,” by Victoria Song in the Verge. Published online April
24, 2026 Peptides promise longevity and healing. Does the science
back them up? Where do you stand on the use of peptides for health
and wellness? E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any
questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover! Discover
something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign
up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter. Science Quickly is
produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Sushmita Pathak and Jeff
DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with
fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music
was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices.
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