The trend: While the majority (62%) of consumers who use peptides get them from healthcare providers, many turn to either nontraditional or potentially harmful sources, according to a May Sunlight.com survey.

• 30% of peptide users buy them from online retailers or research websites, while another 30% get them from US compounding pharmacies.
• 14% buy from Telegram, WhatsApp, or another social media seller.
• 10% purchase from overseas suppliers.

The peptides in the survey included GLP-1s, including prescription and compounded US versions, as well as newer wellness peptides such as BPC-157, a popular muscle-recovery compound. These wellness peptides are not FDA approved and typically untested on humans.

Why it matters: As more consumers use peptides for weight loss, muscle recovery, and longevity, many are purchasing them from unlicensed sellers and relying on nonmedical sources for guidance, raising the risk of adverse health events and uninformed use. For instance, among those who purchased peptides from a social media seller, 45% sought care at an urgent care center or emergency room because of a reaction compared with 16% of peptide users overall, per Sunlight.com. And more than three-quarters (76%) of peptide users asked an AI tool like ChatGPT or Gemini for dosing or mixing instructions, per Sunlight.com. Even among those whose doctors knew they were taking peptides, 79% also used AI for peptide guidance.

Implications for healthcare and pharma brands: As consumers see unregulated peptides, compounded products, and regulated therapies on the same digital channels, the distinction between them may become less clear. For healthcare and pharma brands, the findings underscore the need to educate consumers about the risks of purchasing peptides from unlicensed sellers and relying on unqualified sources for advice. Content and messaging that clarify clinical evidence, precise dosing, and appropriate medical oversight positions credible healthcare players as trusted sources.

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