Peptides: Peps, Injections, and the Wolverine Stack

In our first episode, Zoë and Nick explain why they started a show about putting health and fitness claims under the microscope. Then they take on one of the biggest trends in gyms, longevity circles, and endurance sport: experimental peptides. "Peptide" describes a chemical structure, not a benefit. The same category includes GLP-1 drugs tested in tens of thousands of people and gray-market vials labeled "for research use only." Zoë and Nick trace how experimental peptides like BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, and the "Barbie" and "Wolverine" stacks went viral. They also look at what the drug-approval pathway actually requires, and why the evidence is too thin to even put on the scales. BPC-157 has three published human studies, and one of them tested two people for three days. In this episode: Why this show, why now: science-washing, the attention economy, and decisions made on vibes Peps, stacks, and TSA-approved travel cases: how peptides became a lifestyle Approved peptides versus experimental peptides, or why "all bears" isn't a useful category How a drug goes from rodent studies to FDA approval, and why most drugs never make it Inside the BPC-157 evidence: roughly 150 studies, mostly in rodents, mostly from one lab The "research use only" loophole and what it means if something goes wrong Peptides in endurance sport, drug testing, and a study that secretly sampled urine at UTMB Appeal to popularity, appeal to nature, and why the marketing never changes The Fine Print: what your sleep-tracking ring can and can't measure