Peptide stacking is the latest viral wellness trend. Experts urge caution

What’s better than one peptide? A whole stack of them, apparently.

Peptide stacking is the latest health hack going viral online, promising to optimize workouts and overall well-being.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that help build proteins. As the name suggests, peptide stacking involves taking multiple types of supplements—often in the form of tablets, powders, or injections—at once to enhance their effects and target specific fitness goals, such as building muscle, burning fat, boosting testosterone, or aiding recovery.

Bodybuilders and biohackers have incorporated peptides into their wellness routines for decades. But now, interest is exploding, with social media feeds and forums flooded by users sharing (and selling) their favorite “stacks.”

“Pov: my fridge watching me inject my 20th peptide today,” one TikTok user posted (their bio includes a 10% off link). “Tried Semax + Dihexa and felt like I unlocked god mode for a few hours,” someone wrote on Reddit. “Then realized I forgot to eat all day and nearly blacked out. 10/10 focus, 0/10 life management.”

The fact that many of the touted benefits come from people earning commissions via discount codes or bio links is enough to raise eyebrows.

“Some of the concerns of what we see trending on social media are the recommended sources that you may find online that aren’t coming from legitimate compound pharmacies,” Brandon Dawson, cofounder of 10X Health System, tells Fast Company. “Also, most of these online trends are not tracked by healthcare providers or a team of specialists like you would have at 10X Health.”

More than 80 peptide therapies have been approved worldwide. Prescription drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are peptides, as is the popular fitness supplement creatine. “Peptide stacking can be a powerful tool in a systems-based functional medicine plan, but it’s not a shortcut,” Dawson adds. “Without addressing foundational health pillars—sleep, toxins, gut, nutrition—peptides won’t reach their full potential and could cause harm if used improperly.”

Another concern is how peptides are being marketed to teenagers on social media. A 2023 report by the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate linked peptide promotion to the broader “looksmaxxing” world of workout supplements and steroid-like drugs that prey on young men’s insecurities.

“You’re falling behind bro,” read the closed captions of a TikTok video posted earlier this month. “Welcome to the world of peptides.”

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