← NewsAll
Everyone Is a Biohacker Now
Summary
Americans are increasingly obtaining and using unapproved, compounded, or repackaged drugs — from Vyleesi being taken by men to a growing market for peptides and GLP-1 variants — often via online vendors and compounding pharmacies.
Content
Vyleesi was approved for women with hypoactive-sexual-desire disorder, but reports show men are using it and that vials of the drug are now widely available online under "research use only" labels. Peptides and GLP-1–related treatments have become popular beyond approved uses, and telehealth and compounding pharmacies now offer many customized or experimental formulations. Compounding pharmacies are not regulated by the FDA for the same safety and quality standards as mass-produced drugs, and online vendors often sell unapproved peptides and other products labeled as not for human consumption. Officials have pursued some sellers, but enforcement has been uneven, and the HHS secretary has signaled an intent to make certain peptides more accessible.
What is happening:
- Vyleesi, approved for women, is being obtained and used by men and is sold online with "research use only" disclaimers.
- Many online vendors offer unapproved peptides and other research chemicals that are marketed outside U.S. approvals.
- Compounding pharmacies and telehealth companies are producing and prescribing customized versions of drugs without FDA oversight for safety or efficacy.
- Interest in GLP-1 drugs and peptide treatments has driven broad consumer demand and new market offerings.
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said he intends to act to increase access to some peptides, as he mentioned on a podcast.
Summary:
The expansion of online vendors, telehealth services, and compounding pharmacies has made experimental and repackaged drugs far more accessible to the public, raising questions about oversight and product consistency. HHS leadership has signaled possible policy moves to broaden peptide access, and how regulators will respond to the expanding market is undetermined at this time.
