From Mice to "Men"

By Nick Jacobs

Let me open by saying, “I don’t know.” This article may turn out to be either one of those, “You’re stupid and shouldn’t use them,” or “Holy cow, I wish I had listened” articles. 

My closet has three levels of clothing, way too tight, too tight, and exactly right. It’s a Goldilocks thing. The way-too-tights are mostly just there for historical purposes. In fact, the last time I even tried to put on a pair of those way-too-tight jeans was in 2014. (I should have had paramedics nearby.)

So, one morning a few weeks ago, I decided, “Enough.”

I am happy to report that I have now lost six pounds, the hard way. First, I cut carbohydrates. Then I developed a lousy toothache that will require a root canal. For three days, it kept everything harder than Mother’s Oats out of my mouth. Nothing helps melt away the pounds like pain and the inability to chew.

That’s when I read about peptides.

While I was eating yogurt, people on TikTok were injecting themselves with substances that are supposed to help them lose weight, build muscles, heal injuries, sleep better, think more clearly, and live forever. If they could only give you a tan.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as messengers in the human body. Some are legitimate, thoroughly tested medicines. Insulin is a peptide. So are several new weight-loss drugs. Those products were tested and researched for years. There were human trials and government reviews before doctors began prescribing them, and they still had side effects.

The new peptide boom includes experimental compounds that have not been fully tested or approved for human use. These peptides are promoted by online influencers and muscular folks with ring cameras.

One of the most talked-about peptides is called MOTS-c. Scientists at USC helped discover it. When you inject it into mice, it improved metabolism and produced effects similar to exercise. That’s all the internet needed to hear. “Inject this and start buying muscle shirts.” Don’t worry about careful study.

Other peptides are supposed to be good for tendon repair, healing wounds, sleep, sharper thinking, and even longer life. Unfortunately, the evidence for those claims comes from animal studies, little experiments, or testimonials from people who have no medical credentials. My father-in-law used to do an imitation of an old-time medicine-man. “In my right hand, I have a bottle of Rinky Dinky Do cough medicine. It’s good for colds, molds, and pimples on the belly.” Meanwhile, even Coca-Cola had cocaine in the original recipe. 

And here is the most telling part, these products are sold online as “research chemicals” and labeled “not for human use.” Consequently, you can’t be sure if it’s contaminated, measured wrong, or damaged during shipping. Let alone what the long-term impact on your internal organs might be, but the packages look great, and 400,000 people swear it “Changed their lives.”

What could go wrong?

The scientists who discovered some of these peptides believe they actually may eventually lead to important treatments for obesity, inflammation, aging, and neurological problems. Their concern is that the off-label buyers have skipped directly from “interesting result in mice” to “available overnight with free shipping.” It’s a little like CRISPR where they’re experimenting with genetic alterations in one European country to make their soldiers more muscular. Heck, it worked on those giant frog legs.

I understand the temptation. I would love to fit into my skinny jeans, be a lot stronger and smarter. I’d also like more hair. But for now, I think I will stick with cutting carbohydrates, walking more, and chewing carefully and slowly.

At least with the toothache diet, I know exactly what is hurting me.

Nick Jacobs is a partner with SMR, LLC and founder of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine, former board member of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine, Jacobs maintains a website, Healinghospitals.com.