Popularity of peptides at ASU raises questions about safety and health impacts - The State Press

With a surge in popularity on social media, wellness peptides have become a normal part of life for some college students with the promise of weight-loss, hair growth and other health benefits.

However without long-term research or Food and Drug Administration approval, it remains unclear if unregulated wellness peptides are safe or not.

At a molecular level, peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks for proteins, linked together by chemical bonds, according to the University of Colorado Anschutz. Peptides act as chemical messengers by binding to receptors on the surface of cells and telling them to perform a certain action.

Some peptides are naturally occurring in the human body, according to Harvard Health Publishing. However, many can also be synthesized in labs for supplements, medications and injectable treatments.

Therapeutic peptides are not a new medical discovery. According to an article in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, peptide-based therapies date back to 1922 with the first use of manufactured insulin, a peptide used to treat diabetes. GLP-1 weight-loss medications are another medically tested peptide and FDA approved.

In recent years, new wellness peptides that lack rigorous testing have gained popularity, promising wellness benefits. This has turned the products into a wellness trend on college campuses.

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Pierce Hergenreder, a freshman studying business, has taken peptides for three years and said a lot of students use peptides. Hergenreder said he started using them to benefit his body and become healthier.

"It's normalized around social media, so it makes it easier for everyone to feel like it's okay," Hergenreder said. "Injecting something in your body is probably the scariest part, but if everyone around you is doing it, you probably feel OK."

Garrett Regan, a freshman studying business, has been taking the peptide KLOW since his senior year of high school after breaking his arm.

KLOW is a peptide stack, a compound of numerous amino acid chains, often used for anti-inflammatory support and tissue regeneration.

Regan said the peptides helped with his recovery and improves skin and hair.

Nicholas Stephanopoulos, a professor at the School of Molecular Sciences and the Biodesign Institute at ASU, specializes in making molecules, specifically proteins and peptides.

Stephanopoulos said he has concerns about the "formulation, the purity and the dosage" of these wellness-based peptide products.

"There might be some impurities, some peptides that are shorter or longer or missing an amino acid, and these things could be problematic," Stephanopoulos said.

When peptides are missing amino acids, there is a possibility that they will be ineffective or bind to cells they are not supposed to bind to, he said. He said this could potentially lead to side effects and dangerous consequences.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, some injectable peptides can trigger abnormal immune system responses or autoimmune issues. The Columbia University Irving Medical Center reports side effects such as fatigue, headaches and injection site reactions.

Amanda Maertins is a former director of operations at Thrive Precision Health Institute, a nonprofit peptide company and compound pharmaceutical manufacturer, and a long-time user of peptides.

During her time at Thrive Precision Health, Maertins encountered patients seeking peptides for wellness goals ranging from blood pressure regulation to reduced drug and alcohol dependency, she said.

Although she is a "huge proponent" for peptides, she highlighted research and responsibility above all else.

Maertins said college students may be searching for reduced costs over quality products. Gray-market peptides are often labeled as "for research purposes only" as a liability shield and legal loophole, according to the Guardian.

"It's cheap for a reason because these companies aren't supposed to be selling them," Maertins said.

She emphasized getting information from those wanting to spread awareness, not make a profit off of recommending unregulated products.

"Peptides are the way of the future, and they can serve so many beneficial purposes," Maertins said. "You just have to do it right. Don't do it the cheap way. Do it the right way."

Edited by Dhemi Bell, Carsten Oyer and Senna James.

Reach the reporter at eratwell@asu.edu.

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