1. Systematically Evaluate Any Substance
Before putting any drug or peptide into your body, systematically ask about its viable mechanism of action, intended effects in humans, safety profile (dose/usage), and the balance of risks versus benefits. This comprehensive evaluation helps make informed decisions.
2. Demand a Viable Mechanism
Be highly skeptical of any drug or supplement lacking a defined, logical mechanism of action, as over 97% of FDA-approved drugs have one. Vague claims like ‘boosts energy production’ are insufficient and should raise red flags.
3. Assess Efficacy in Target Population
Understand what is known about the downstream effects and efficacy of a substance specifically in healthy individuals or the patient population for which it is intended. This ensures the claimed benefits are relevant and proven for your use case.
4. Weigh Risks Against Benefits
Recognize that all drugs have potential side effects; evaluate if the potential benefits outweigh these risks for your specific situation. For example, antibiotics have severe side effects but are justified when the risk of not taking them is high.
5. Consider Legitimate Approved Alternatives
When evaluating a gray-market compound, always ask if there are FDA-approved alternatives with a known risk and benefit profile. Prioritize approved options when available, given the lack of scrutiny for unregulated substances.
6. Use the Four-Bucket Framework
Categorize any peptide into one of four buckets: (1) no compelling case, (2) viable mechanism but abandoned clinical trials, (3) viable mechanism, in trials or approved for other uses but not popular use, or (4) stolen FDA-approved drugs sold illegally. This helps clarify its scientific standing and risk.
7. Beware of Shifting Goalposts
Be wary of peptides where the alleged benefits frequently change or expand over time, as this can indicate a lack of genuine efficacy and a tendency to ‘make up a new story all the time.’ This is a characteristic of peptides with no compelling use case.
8. Understand ‘Research Use Only’
Recognize that ‘research use only’ peptides are not approved for human use, despite being widely used. This designation means they lack regulatory oversight for human safety and efficacy, increasing personal risk.
9. Be Skeptical of Oral Peptides
Understand that many peptides, especially those taken orally, face significant challenges with digestive breakdown and absorption. Pharmaceutical examples often require specific formulations to overcome these issues, so simple oral ingestion may be ineffective.