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Are Peptides Illegal?

In this article, we will dive into the world of peptides, exploring their uses, the reasons behind their illegal status in certain contexts, and the potential risks associated with their unregulated use

Greta Daniskova

Author - Greta Daniskova

Greta is a BSc Biomedical Science student at the University of Westminster, London.

Greta used MediSearch to find sources for this blog.
MediSearch gives instant answers to medical questions based on 30 million scientific articles.

What are Peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, generally spanning between 2 to 50 residues, bound by peptide bonds. They are less than protein-sized and can be considered to be the constituents of proteins [1]. Peptides are multifunctional biopolymers with diverse biological functions that can pass through cell walls and are therapeutic candidates for many diseases [2].

Peptides can be biologically active and play physiological roles in life. They are effective in food processing as a preservative or antioxidant, keeping food from deteriorating. In the pharmaceutical field, they can be used as antioxidants, antihypertensives, anticoagulants, and immunomodulators, among other things [3].

Peptides also control gene expression and protein production in other lifeforms like humans. They also can egress into cell nuclei and reach the nucleosome, the histone proteins (which control how readily DNA is used to make proteins), and DNA [4].

Peptides can bypass physiological and transport challenges in drug delivery posed by disease, making them appealing to the drug delivery and materials engineering community for drug applications, molecular building blocks, and cell-targeting ligands [5].

Are Peptides Illegal?

Peptides aren’t illegal in themselves. They are natural and manufactured substances with a broad spectrum of medicinal uses.

However, the misuse of certain peptides can be illegal, especially when they are used to enhance athletic performance or body aesthetics without a prescription or medical supervision.

For example, the peptides melanotan I and II are prohibited for sale in the US and the UK but are available online or in health clubs and gyms [6]. Likewise, growth hormones such as somatotropin-like peptides and myostatin propeptide, commonly illicitly administered to stimulate muscle development, are prohibited [7, 8].

Some peptides are not legal in sport. For instance, the growth hormone-releasing peptide CJC-1295 is a prohibited substance on S2 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List [9].

Also, remember that some of these peptides are legally or safely available online. Others are found to be contaminated or fake and are dangerous to humans [10, 7].

Finally, peptides are not illegal, but specific peptide misuse is. According to a medical expert, take peptides with caution.

Which Peptides Are Illegal?

Peptides are tiny proteins used for an enormous range of physiological functions. Some peptides are performance-enhancing substances, so they’re prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Another is the growth hormone-releasing peptide CJC-1295. Though not certified as medical, it’s readily available on the black market and suspected of being used in the bodybuilding industry [9].

Other illegal peptides are Melanotan I and Melanotan II, both prohibited in the US and UK markets. These peptides can be utilized for tanning injections and are available online or in health clubs and gyms [6].

WADA also prohibits AOD9604, a peptide that includes the C-terminal portion of human growth hormone. It purportedly acts as a lipolytic mimic of growth hormone without the diabetogenic ills [11].

So, peptides aren’t criminal in the grand scheme of things, but they can be very legally varying, and you have to check each one independently for side effects and harm.

What Are The Benefits Of Peptides?

Peptides, short chains of amino acids, have been found to offer many benefits for the skin, hair, and overall health.

Peptides For the Skin

Peptides for skincare can be absorbed into the skin and then utilised by the body to create a thicker skin barrier, the natural barrier against bacteria, ultraviolet radiation, pollution, and toxins [12]. They also can endocrine your skin to generate collagen and create firmer, more youthful skin [12]. Peptides might also promote collagen protein production to decrease fine lines and wrinkles, thereby increasing elastin protein production to improve the firmness and softness of the skin [12]. Some peptides are antimicrobial — killing acne-causing bacteria [12].

Peptides For the Hair

Copper peptides can help with overall hair health by improving blood flow to the skin and activating hair follicles for more oxygen and nutrients to generate new hair [13].

For Overall Health

Bioactive peptides (in foods, livestock and marine life) have been linked to several health benefits.

They are observed to have:

  • Antioxidative
  • Anti-hypertensive
  • Antithrombotic
  • Antibacterial
  • Anti-cancer
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-diabetic
  • Anti-obesity
  • Cholesterol-lowering
  • Immunoregulatory
  • Mineral binding activities [3, 14, 15, 16].

Some uses of peptides include:

Peptides Advantages And Disadvantages Summary

Ultimately, peptides are not harmful but can be limited or banned, depending on the peptide and what you want to do with them. It is also important to mention that purchasing peptides from unlicensed sources can be illegal and harmful to your health.

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