Peptides: Miracle Molecules or Marketing Hype?

KQED's Forum · Jul 16, 2026 · 54m

Peptides are everywhere in the healthcare zeitgeist. On social media, you’re likely to encounter an influencer claiming that injecting or ingesting peptides can improve your skin, build muscle,increase focus or help you lead a longer and healthier life. Peptides are short chains of amino acids that are fundamental building blocks in protein and our bodies make them naturally. While some synthetic peptides like insulin and GLP-1s are widely used and approved, the off market use of other peptides have raised concerns among scientists. We’ll talk about the promise, dangers and hype of peptides…