Not too many years ago, the conversation surrounding peptides was confined mostly to scientific journals and clinical research. Today, they’ve fully entered the wellness chat, showing up in everything from protein powders and recovery supplements to skincare formulas and even buzzy medical treatments. But as interest grows, so does confusion over what the word “peptide” actually means.
At the most basic level, peptides are short chains of amino acids—the same building blocks that make up proteins. “Our bodies naturally make peptides that act as messengers to send signals. Some play a role in energy metabolism and satiety while others support muscle growth and the immune system, ” explains sports dietitian Kelly Jones, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D. “In fitness, peptides are known as performance-enhancing agents.” That said, research has some catching up to do here.
Part of what makes peptides so interesting (and sometimes misunderstood) is that they have so many purposes and functions, and there are now all sorts of products out there utilizing them. There are oral peptides, like collagen peptides or protein hydrolysates, which are digested and act like targeted nutrition. Then, there are peptide-based meds and injectable therapies that bypass digestion entirely.
Adding to the momentum is a growing interest in what’s referred to as “sports peptides,” a category of peptide supplements designed to support muscle repair, connective tissue health, and training adaptation, explains Jones.
So how do peptides actually work, and how can you tell the difference between supplements and medical treatments? Ahead, we unpack the basics, clear up the confusion, and look at how peptide supplements fit into a balanced approach to wellness and performance.
- ABOUT OUR EXPERTS: Kelly Jones, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., is a sports dietitian. Brittany Michels, R.D.N., C.P.T., is a registered dietitian and certified personal trainer with The Vitamin Shoppe.
What Are Peptides, Exactly?
If amino acids are the individual building blocks of protein—and proteins are long, complex chains of those blocks—peptides fall somewhere in between, explains Brittany Michels, R.D.N., C.P.T., a registered dietitian and certified personal trainer with The Vitamin Shoppe. “They’re shorter chains (typically made up of two to 50 amino acids) linked together in ways that allow them to play specialized roles in the body,” she says.
While proteins primarily serve structural or nutritional purposes, many peptides act as signaling molecules. “Our bodies naturally make peptides that send signals that regulate everything from metabolism and appetite to muscle growth and immune function,” Jones says. “These signaling roles show up across nearly every system in the body.”
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Some of these signaling peptides also function as hormones. One example is insulin, a peptide hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. Glucagon, meanwhile, signals the liver to release stored energy.
Others act in the nervous system—endorphins help regulate pain and mood, while oxytocin plays a role in bonding and childbirth, explains Michels. “Some peptides even support immune defense by helping the body respond to bacteria and viruses,” she says
In short: Peptides don’t just help build tissue—they help coordinate how the body functions.
Why Are Peptides Suddenly Everywhere?
There’s no denying peptides are in the spotlight right now. One possible reason for this is the rise of GLP-1 medications, which are peptide-based drugs used to support blood sugar management and weight loss. “We naturally release GLP-1 with a diet rich in fiber, probiotics, protein, and healthy fats,” explains Jones. “GLP-1 medications do this to a more intense level.” The results many users have experienced, she says, have prompted greater interest in (and research on) other medical peptide treatments.
On the other hand, collagen peptides (which are collagen proteins that have been broken down into smaller peptides so the body can better absorb them) have also become a household supplement staple, normalizing the idea of consuming peptides as part of everyday wellness routines.
The longevity movement is also a factor in the rise of peptides. “There’s growing interest in influencing cellular communication rather than simply increasing nutrient intake,” says Michels. “With increasing focus on longevity, muscle preservation, and recovery, peptides are gaining traction as targeted tools.”
The Different Types of Peptides
One of the biggest reasons for confusion around this topic is that the same word—peptide—can describe products that work in completely different ways.
Peptide Supplements
Peptide supplements are taken orally and act more like targeted nutrition, explains Michels. Common examples include collagen peptides and protein hydrolysates, which are digested and used similarly to other dietary proteins. Instead of acting like medications, these products typically support structure- and function-based goals like connective tissue health or recovery, she adds. Since they’re taken orally, peptide supplements are broken down during digestion and absorbed as nutrients the body can use to support normal bodily processes like muscle repair and maintenance, connective tissue health, and overall recovery.
Sports Peptides
Adding another layer to the conversation is the rise of sports peptides, a term increasingly used within performance nutrition. Rather than a strict scientific category, sports peptides function more as an umbrella term for supplements designed to support recovery and training adaptation, explains Umo Callins, M.S., R.D./L.D., C.S.S.D., C.P.T., a sports dietitian and fitness coach with Well Rooted Health and Nutrition.
Some of the most common examples include collagen peptides, which are often used to support tendons, ligaments, and joints. Research suggests taking collagen or gelatin with vitamin C before exercise may help support collagen production, which is why you’ll sometimes see it used in injury rehab or joint-focused training routines, notes Callins.
Then there are protein hydrolysates, which are essentially pre-digested proteins broken into smaller peptide fragments that may help support muscle recovery and rebuilding after tough workouts. “One that shows promise with early data is a fava bean hydrolysate peptide (trademarked as PeptiStrong) that was discovered through AI,” says Jones. “A trial showed improved strength and recovery along with reduced fatigue in a group of 30 men, but more data is needed.” You’ll find PeptiStrong in products such as BodyTech Elite Recovery Pep.
In addition to supporting recovery, many gym-goers, athletes, and other fitness-minded folks are flocking to these compounds to promote muscle-building. “Peptides mostly optimize the environment for muscle growth,” Michels explains. “These short chains of amino acids act as signaling molecules, influencing processes like protein synthesis, recovery, and cellular repair. Because they are signalers, their effects are often subtle but compounding, meaning they help athletes train harder, recover faster, and stay more consistently anabolic.”
One of the biggest names in the muscle game: DL-185. Don’t let the strange name confuse you, though; this peptide is actually quite simple. “DL-185 is best understood as a next-generation leucine delivery system,” says Michels. “It’s a dipeptide made of two leucine molecules. In this form, absorption is fast and more efficient. DL-185 is designed to trigger muscle-building signals more efficiently than solo amino acids.”
The reason DL-185 works so differently from plain old leucine is that peptides absorb differently in the body than free amino acids, according to Michels. Because they are transported across the gut intact, they can be delivered to muscles more quickly and effectively. In fact, “DL-185 may stimulate muscle protein synthesis to a greater degree than leucine alone, likely due to both delivery speed and peptide-specific signaling effects,” Michels shares.
Pretty intriguing, right? You can try out DL-185 in products like BodyTech Elite Muscle Growth Peptide and MuscleTech Muscle Peptide. If you’re interested in precision nutrition, peptides like DL-185 allow you to target your goals on a whole new level (in addition, of course, to foundational pieces like dietary protein and a smart training plan).
Peptide Therapies
Peptide therapies, on the other hand, are delivered through medical routes such as injections and function more like drugs. Because they bypass digestion, they enter the bloodstream intact and can produce more direct systemic effects, explains Jones.
Some peptide-based medications are FDA-approved and commonly used in clinical care, including insulin for diabetes, trofinetide for Rett syndrome, and GLP-1 agonists used for blood sugar management and obesity treatment. These therapies have undergone clinical testing to evaluate safety, dosing, and effectiveness before becoming available to patients.
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That said, many of the injectable peptides gaining attention online—especially in biohacking spheres, longevity clinics, and fitness forums—fall into a very different category. “Compounds such as BPC-157, TB-4, and CJC-1295 are not FDA approved, and in many cases lack published human research supporting the claims associated with them,” Jones says. “They’re often sold through chemical supply websites labeled ‘for research use only’ or ‘not for human consumption,’ which signals they have not been evaluated for safety or effectiveness in people.”
In other words, the term “peptide” can refer to very different types of products (from oral supplements to injectable medications), so they’re not created equal when it comes to how they work in the body or the level of regulation and risk involved.
How to Choose a Peptide Supplement
If you’re interested in exploring peptide supplements, use the following expert tips to ensure you’re reaching for a high-quality product that’s relevant for your goals.
1. Look for Third-Party Testing
One of the most important quality markers for all supplements, including peptide products, is independent verification, according to Callins. “Certifications such as NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport confirm that a product has been tested for banned substances and that what’s listed on the label matches what’s actually inside,” she says. “This is especially important for athletes, but it’s also a helpful signal of overall product transparency and manufacturing quality.”
2. Spot Transparent Labeling
Instead of vague terms like “peptide blend,” Callins recommends looking for products that specify exactly what type of peptide is included and where it’s sourced from, whether that’s marine or bovine collagen or a specific protein hydrolysate. She also advises being cautious of exaggerated claims like “HGH-like results” or “rapid healing.”
3. Check for Clinically Relevant Dosing
For peptides and other supplements alike, dosage matters just as much as ingredient choice. Michels recommends looking for supplements that provide amounts consistent with those studied in clinical research—for example, about 2.5 to 15 grams per day for collagen peptides used to support joint function, connective tissue, and recovery—instead of proprietary blends that make it hard to tell how much of each ingredient you’re actually getting.
4. Choose Brands That Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
Supplements produced in facilities that follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) have to meet established standards for quality control, cleanliness, and consistency, explains Callin. “While this doesn’t guarantee effectiveness, it does help reduce the risk of contamination or inaccurate ingredient amounts,” she adds.
The Bottom Line
Peptides are a hot topic these days. From cutting-edge medical treatments to sports supplements, they seem to have spread to every corner of the health and wellness world. Whether you’re interested in supporting sports performance and recovery, protecting your joints, and more, there are a variety of ways to incorporate these compounds into your daily routine. Just be sure to get your information (and your products!) from a reputable party, instead of some sketchy online biohacker forum.