Silicon Valley’s enthusiasm for biohacking has led enthusiasts to purchase experimental peptides directly from the budget e-commerce platform Temu.
What Are Peptides?
Peptides consist of short chains of amino acids that function as cellular signals, instructing cells on tasks like muscle development, tissue healing, and cognitive enhancement. While some occur naturally in the body, others are synthetic. Popular examples include GLP-1 agonists, such as those in weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, which undergo extensive clinical testing.
Rising Popularity in Tech Circles
These substances have surged in use among San Francisco tech professionals, who mix custom blends into pills, creams, or injections to optimize performance. This DIY approach aligns with the region’s focus on personal enhancement.
The availability of peptides on Temu, known for low-cost items and supply chain controversies, indicates a shift toward mainstream access, raising significant safety questions.
Product Listings on Temu
A search for “peptides” reveals numerous options at rock-bottom prices. For example, three vials of BPC-157, a peptide linked to stomach-derived healing properties, sell for $12. A 12-pack of oligopeptide for skin firming costs just $4.14.
Product details often lack clarity on contents or usage. Items appear as pills, creams, eye drops, or injectable ampoules. Online forums like Reddit feature discussions of users injecting Temu-sourced peptides. Some listings claim GLP-1 content but list different ingredients, casting doubt on authenticity.
Legal and Safety Gray Areas
Peptides occupy a regulatory limbo in the U.S. Many Americans obtain them from Chinese chemical suppliers, with shipments labeled “for research use only.” Buyers typically reconstitute the powder with water for injection or IV use.
This setup enables widespread self-administration of unverified compounds. A San Francisco supplier of Chinese-sourced peptides stated, “Our average customer is closer to a Starbucks barista. But the techies were the first on this because of the willingness to take ridiculous risks.”
Temu’s Response
Temu operates as a third-party marketplace where independent sellers list products under platform guidelines. A spokesperson noted, “The platform prohibits the sale of products containing peptides listed as bulk drug substances by the U.S. FDA, products making therapeutic or medical claims without proper authorization, and sterile needles or syringes intended for injection.”
Violations trigger removal via pre-listing checks, monitoring, and user reports. Following inquiries, many listings for vials and syringes vanished, leaving primarily topical creams and ointments.
