Health · Healthcare & Policy · 1 hr ago
Unapproved peptide use grows as Kennedy pushes wider access
Dylan Meetze said BPC-157 left him feeling unwell after he used it for three days, and he reported fatigue and anxiety for months afterward.
BPC-157 is an experimental peptide that has not been FDA-approved because it has not undergone clinical trials.
Online wellness figures promote it for uses including muscle injuries, while an analysis of health records found that more than 1,000 people told doctors they had used it since 2020.
Peptides are a broad group of substances; some, including insulin and certain weight-loss medicines, are approved, but many are not.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants peptides to be more accessible as part of the Make America Healthy Again movement.
Companies currently warn that unapproved peptides are for research only, but that warning may no longer be required if the push to lower barriers succeeds.
BPC-157 use is growing in the United States, despite the drug not being approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
A new analysis of millions of de-identified health records found that more than 1,000 people had told doctors they used BPC-157 since 2020.
Some users describe harmful effects, including fatigue, anxiety, and muscle and eye twitching.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said he wants to make more peptides accessible.
- Who
- People using BPC-157, including Dylan Meetze, and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- What
- Use of the unapproved peptide is growing, while Kennedy is pushing for wider access.
- When
- The analysis found use since 2020. The article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- Some people take BPC-157 hoping for benefits such as muscle healing. Kennedy says he wants to make peptides more accessible.
Supporters of wider peptide access
People reporting harm from unapproved peptides
Access
Supporters of wider peptide access
Kennedy has said he wants to make many peptides more accessible.
People reporting harm from unapproved peptides
Users have described adverse effects after taking BPC-157.
Safety
Supporters of wider peptide access
Andrew Huberman cited mouse studies suggesting BPC-157 helps muscles heal and has a high safety profile in relation to lethal dosing.
People reporting harm from unapproved peptides
Meetze said he felt horrible after taking the drug and experienced fatigue, anxiety, and twitching for months.
The analysis found that more than 1,000 people told doctors they had used BPC-157.
Meetze said he bought BPC-157 from an online vendor and took it.
Kennedy said on Joe Rogan’s podcast that he was a big fan of peptides and wanted to make many more accessible.
- Drug
- BPC-157, an unapproved peptide
- Reported users
- More than 1,000 since 2020
- Analysis
- Based on millions of de-identified electronic health records
- Meetze’s reported effects
- Fatigue, anxiety, and eye and muscle twitching
- Vendor
- Researchem
What people are saying
It was like I was underwater, like it took the most to do anything
more accessible
super safe
Sources
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