Doctors have issued an urgent warning over peptide therapy, a trendy anti-ageing treatment touted as 'better than Botox or Viagra', after several Britons were hospitalised following cheap DIY injections. The unregulated compounds, sold online as tablets or injectables, are gaining popularity among middle-aged men seeking to build muscle and boost energy, but experts warn of serious risks including heart issues and cancer.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that occur naturally in the body, acting as chemical messengers. While some are used in licensed medicines, many sold online are unapproved 'research chemicals' that bypass drug safety regulations. Products like PT-141, promoted for sexual dysfunction, and the 'Wolverine Stack' (BPC-157 and TB-500) for healing are being marketed directly to consumers via social media and forums like Reddit.
Professor Adam Taylor of Lancaster University cautioned: 'There are certainly risks to taking these drugs, including increased heart rate, damage to cells and potentially neurological damage.' The warning follows reports of hospitalisations in the UK linked to unregulated peptide injections, though exact numbers remain unclear.
Celebrities like tech mogul Bryan Johnson and podcaster Joe Rogan have championed peptides, with Rogan claiming a jab cured his tendonitis. However, scientists stress that most benefits are anecdotal and unproven, with long-term safety data lacking. The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) advises against using unlicensed products, urging the public to consult a doctor before trying any such treatment.
