Everything You Need To Know About Peptides

This episode of the Fitzy, Wippa & Kate podcast dives into the growing fascination with peptides, particularly amid social media hype around their use for weight loss, tanned skin, muscle gain, and anti-aging. The hosts begin by discussing their own curiosity about peptides, referencing past doping scandals in Australian sport, before bringing on influencers Nicole and Simon from Bali who openly share their personal use of peptides like Melanotan 2, GHK-CU, MOTC, and Retretrutide (likely referring to Tirzepatide). They describe their positive experiences but acknowledge the unregulated nature of these substances. The conversation then shifts to medical experts: Dr. Kieran Dang and Dr. Dominic Schaffner, who caution against the dangers of unapproved, black-market peptides. They emphasize that while some peptides like Ozempic and Wegovy are FDA/TGA-approved and safe, most research-only peptides lack clinical trials, quality control, and long-term safety data. Risks include liver damage, cancer promotion via angiogenesis, contamination, and unknown side effects from peptide stacking. The doctors stress that lifestyle factors—diet, exercise, sleep—remain foundational, and that peptides should only be used under expert medical supervision, not as miracle cures. The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on longevity medicine, AI’s role in accelerating research, and the importance of healthspan over mere lifespan.