The beauty and wellness industry has expanded rapidly, now worth $6.8 trillion globally. A key component driving this growth is peptides, found in everything from intricate injections to popular lip balms. However, concerns are emerging about their safety and efficacy. Academics from Northeastern University are cautioning against the rapid pace of peptide usage outstripping its track record for safety and effectiveness.
Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gathered to discuss the future of specific peptide compounds. This meeting follows efforts by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, to champion these compounds despite their contested benefits. Newsweek contacted the FDA for a response.
Peptides’ Role in Biohacking and Wellness
Peptides have become central to the biohacking and wellness discussions, outperforming other trends like NAD infusions and DNA-based skincare. In the United States, searches related to peptides surged to 10.1 million monthly in January, a significant increase from 2020. Approximately 12.5% of Americans now use GLP-1 drugs, a notable example of FDA-approved peptides.
The popularity extends to teenagers willing to go to greater lengths to enhance their appearance. This trend might surge if the FDA reduces restrictions on peptide drugs, which are reported to lack sufficient study. The FDA’s Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee met on July 23 to discuss extending access to four previously banned peptides, allowing specialized pharmacies to create custom medicines for patients.
“The FDA convened the committee to evaluate available evidence, including newly submitted information, on the potential benefits, risks, and safety of each peptide under review,” said HHS press secretary Emily G. Hilliard.
The committee’s findings will guide the FDA, which will consult with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) to develop a proposed rule. This process includes a public comment phase before finalizing the rule, which could affect peptide availability for compounding pharmacies.
In February, Kennedy Jr. indicated that about 14 of 19 banned peptides might be removed from the FDA’s restricted list, representing a significant shift in peptide regulation in the U.S.
Valerie Aparovich, a certified cosmetologist and biochemist, sees the potential benefits of peptides, highlighting their safety profile and collagen-boosting properties. However, she notes that much of the research originates from those selling the ingredients rather than independent sources.
Expert Concerns
Despite optimism, there have been rare instances of harm. In 2025, two women became critically ill after receiving peptide injections at a Las Vegas event by a physician lacking a Nevada license.
Karthik Achari, founder of PepMD, highlighted systemic issues, explaining the gap between authorization and qualification in peptide prescription. He emphasized the lack of controlled data and expressed that creating a regulated pathway is safer than leaving peptides in a gray market.
Dr. Neil Panchal supports regulation, pointing out that patients may turn to unverified vendors when peptides are unavailable at pharmacies. Professor Mansoor Amiji from Northeastern University pointed out the limited evidence of safety and effectiveness for most peptides, aside from FDA-approved examples.
Amiji warned of potential systemic absorption risks with topical peptides, counterpointing claims of benefits like tissue regeneration. Steve Kates underscored the difficulty in peptide manufacturing and noted many products have not met approval standards for efficacy or toxicology.
This article was updated on July 30, 2026, with additional information.
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