Brad Jacobs, MD MPH
Clinical Insights
Longevity
Peptides are everywhere right now, but do they actually work?
From Ozempic to recovery injections to 'longevity' protocols, peptides have quickly moved from niche to mainstream. The promise is compelling: improved metabolism, faster recovery, better energy, longer healthspan. And in some cases, that promise may hold some truth. But before considering peptides, it’s worth slowing down and looking at the full picture.
What we want you to know first
What are peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids bound together with peptide bonds that act as signaling molecules in the body. Proteins are longer chains of amino acids.
They help regulate essential functions like:
• metabolism
• inflammation
• hormone activity
• cellular repair
Some peptides are well-studied and are widely used in clinical practice. Others are being explored for 'optimization' purposes in people who are generally healthy—an area of still emerging science.
Where things become less clear
Because peptides originate in the human body, one of the big misconceptions is that they are widely understood and studied. They're not. Some are supported only by animal data, with limited human experience, and long-term safety for most peptides remains unknown. Effects can also vary significantly from person to person.
Even widely used peptide-based medications can come with meaningful side effects—enough that a notable percentage of patients discontinue use within the first year. This doesn’t make them inherently unsafe, but it does mean they require thoughtful, individualized decision-making.
Another concern: Sourcing
Separate from how peptides work is a more practical question:
Do you know what you’re actually getting?
Many peptides are produced through compounding pharmacies, meaning the ingredients may be FDA-approved, but the compounded product itself is not. This creates variability in:
• quality
• purity
• strength
There have been many documented cases of products containing incorrect or contaminated substances. Overseas manufacturers have even fewer regulatory controls and quality checks. This is not a flaw of peptides themselves—it’s a reflection of a rapidly evolving and uneven regulatory landscape.
The regulatory status has shifted several times in recent years and we’re in the midst of another inflection point. The Food and Drug Administration is now actively reviewing about a dozen peptides for inclusion on its compounding list, following recent comments from federal health officials suggesting that these restrictions may warrant reconsideration.
An FDA advisory committee is scheduled to meet in July to evaluate the available safety and efficacy data, and issue recommendations that could influence whether, and how, these therapies become more widely accessible.
Proposed changes may mean more licensed pharmacies would be permitted to compound them under specific conditions. It would not mean that these peptides would become FDA-approved medications.
Where you source will still matter.
Why this moment feels so accelerated
Interest in peptides has grown quickly, while regulation and standardization have not kept pace.
As demand has increased, access has expanded—sometimes through less controlled channels.
The result is a category that includes:
• clinically validated treatments
• promising but early-stage therapies
• and products that exist in a regulatory gray zone
All often discussed as if they are the same.
How we think about it
Before introducing any new therapy, we prioritize:
• Safety
• Quality and sourcing
• Effectiveness
Peptides can be a valuable tool within the right context. But they are not a shortcut—and not all are appropriate for every individual.
Do peptides actually work? What the science says—and what it doesn’t
The answer is… nuanced.
First: this isn’t all hype. Peptides aren’t new. They already exist in your body and play a critical role in how it functions. In fact, Insulin, one of the most important medical breakthroughs of the 20th century, is a peptide.
Today, there are over 100 peptide-based medications approved for things like:
• metabolic health
• immune response
• wound healing
So the category itself is real and clinically meaningful.
How they actually work
Peptides act as messengers.
They bind to receptors in the body much like a lock and key and trigger specific biological responses:
• hunger and satiety
• inflammation
• repair and regeneration
For example, Ozempic works by mimicking a peptide your body already releases after eating, signaling fullness to the brain.
What’s changed recently is our ability to modify these peptides, extend how long they last, and target them more precisely. This is why they’ve become so widely discussed.
Where the conversation gets ahead of the science
Here’s the tension:
The clinical potential is real.
The current evidence for many peptides is still limited.
Outside of FDA-approved uses much of the data comes from small studies or animal research, meaning large-scale human trials are often missing. At the same time, anecdotal results are everywhere:
• better skin
• faster recovery
• improved energy
But anecdotal doesn’t equal proven. It’s also worth noting, most people trying peptides are also improving other parts of their lives—sleep, nutrition, training—all of which can drive meaningful results on their own.
So it becomes difficult to isolate what’s actually working.
The practical reality
Even if a peptide shows promise, there are real considerations. Many require frequent injections, protocols can be time- and cost-intensive, and effects can vary widely depending on the individual.
Which is why, in practice, adoption is often lower than initial interest.
When they can make sense
There are situations where peptides are used more intentionally. For example:
• short-term support after injury
• targeted protocols under medical supervision
You may hear about compounds like BPC-157 or TB-500 in these contexts. But again, these are not one-size-fits-all solutions, and the evidence is still evolving.
What matters more than peptides
Before considering any optimization therapy, the foundation has to be there:
• consistent, restorative sleep
• personalized nutrition
• strength and movement practices
• stress regulation
• meaningful relationships
Without that, even the most promising intervention will have limited impact.
The takeaway
Peptides are not a trend without substance. But they are a category where the conversation is moving faster than the evidence.
Some are proven.
Many are promising.
Others are still experimental.
The key is knowing the difference—and using them accordingly.
What we’re watching
We’re particularly interested in:
• peptides and the gut–brain axis
• oral formulations (beyond injections)
• potential applications in autoimmune conditions
This is a fast-moving space—and one worth watching closely.
—
A note from Dr. Brad & Dr. Keith
We’re excited about the potential of peptides, they represent a meaningful frontier in medicine. But just because something is available doesn’t mean it’s appropriate.
In our practice, the decision to use a peptide is never driven by trends. It’s driven by a clear understanding of the individual in front of us—their biology, their goals, and their tolerance for risk. If the foundation isn’t in place—sleep, nutrition, movement, stress—adding peptides won’t create the outcome patients are looking for.
When we do use peptides, we care deeply about where they come from, how they’re made, and how they’re monitored over time.
Done thoughtfully, they can be a powerful tool. Done casually, they introduce unnecessary risk.