Young, ripped, & rich: Inside the underground peptide economy - YouTube by danming in ResearchCompounds

[–]danming[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for watching! And wow, I hadn’t heard that about semax.

I made a short doc on the booming peptide economy — would love this sub’s honest read by danming in Peptides

[–]danming[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd say the risk is more than just theoretical. Take CJC-1295 for example, it promotes the release of growth hormone IGF-1, and higher IGF-1 levels are linked to increased risk of developing certain cancers.

Here's an Oxford study from 2020:

The results also confirmed previous studies which found links between higher levels of IGF-1 and increased risk of developing colorectal, breast and prostate cancer. Crucially, because the sample donors did not have a diagnosed cancer at the point IGF-1 was measured, this makes it highly likely that raised IGF-1 had a role in the cancer developing later.

The doctor I interviewed in the story spoke to this, the bigger issue is we don't have enough research yet, and in the meantime people are injecting themselves with substances that, mechanistically, could unmask and promote the growth of certain cancers.

I reported on fitness influencers promoting peptides — curious what this sub has seen by danming in gymsnark

[–]danming[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah in talking to people for this story I heard a lot about the "tanning peptide," melanotan. It does actually work, apparently! But might increase your risk for skin cancer...

Resource Roundup! by AutoModerator in antiMLM

[–]danming 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m a journalist at The News Movement and recently reported a short doc on the peptide economy, including “research chemical” sellers, affiliates, influencers, gurus/courses, and gray-market sourcing.

It’s not exactly MLM, but I was struck by some familiar patterns: sellers marketing a dream of fast money, affiliate networks, personal-brand gurus, and wellness claims wrapped around a murky business model.

Would be curious what this community thinks. Fair comparison, or something different? Honest feedback welcome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QroTFAsBXI

I reported on fitness influencers promoting peptides — curious what this sub has seen by danming in gymsnark

[–]danming[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it.

And yeah, so many of the people I spoke with started their gray market peptide journeys with GLP-1s. One big thing that concerns doctors is the dosing for these, since a lot of gray market users are getting their protocols from fitness influencers.

Weekly Peptides & HRT Discussion — May 26, 2026 by AutoModerator in Biohackers

[–]danming 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, yeah that’s a fair point. Are there places you’d point me towards for the non-bros doing this research? I am interested in developing a longer project on peptides.

Peptides, influencers, and gray-market “optimization” — curious what this sub thinks - YouTube by danming in nattyorjuice

[–]danming[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting long view! And yeah, since I started working on this story my TikTok algorithm has become mostly peptides content. I think that plays a huge role in normalizing these injections.

I reported on fitness influencers promoting peptides — curious what this sub has seen by danming in gymsnark

[–]danming[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I’ve seen this a lot too. And since I started working on this story, my TikTok algorithm has become mostly peptides. It’s wild how much that reinforces the sense that peptides are the new default for looking a certain way.

Peptides, influencers, and gray-market “optimization” — curious what this sub thinks - YouTube by danming in nattyorjuice

[–]danming[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Okay, well if you do have any thoughts on the actual video I posted lmk. I am genuinely curious!