__DEGRADED__ Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 123, Issue 26, June 2026. SignificanceLysine-based noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) are valuable building blocks for expanding the structural and functional diversity of amino acids and peptides, yet, general and efficient access toN-aryl lysine analogs remains limited. Here, we ...
__DEGRADED__ Plants need nitrogen to grow. Many legumes meet this need through a symbiotic relationship: They harbor bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen and make it available to the plant. Until now, it was largely unclear how a perennial plant regulates this symbiosis without destroying its bacterial partners. An international team led by TU Braunschweig has now described a previously unknown mechanism: The black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) employs a newly discovered family of small proteins that specifically "reprogram" its symbiotic bacteria for nitrogen fixation while keeping them alive. The findings are published in Science Advances.
__DEGRADED__ Rise and shine, another busy day is on the way. We can tell because the official mascots got an early start chasing down cats, squirrels, and other creatures darting about the Pharmalot campus. And then there is the noisy parade of vehicles passing by on their way to who knows what? As for us, we are firing up the trusty coffee kettle to brew another cup of stimulation. Our choice today is maple cinnamon French toast. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, the time has come to get cracking. So here is the latest laundry list of interesting items for you to peruse. We hope you have a smashing day and, of course, do keep in touch. Best of luck, everyone. … A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has opened national security investigations into whether several large drugmakers have been involved in clinical trials conducted in China that helped fuel the country’s military capability, according to Reuters. In the letters, the lawmakers asked the drugmakers to provide by July 17 details of due diligence, data protection processes, and other standards at their trial sites in China, particularly in the Xinjiang region and at military hospitals. The probes are the latest sign of growing U.S. government concern over China’s role in the biotech industry. U.S. Food and Drug Administration career scientists said there is not enough evidence to allow certain peptides to be produced by compounding pharmacies, contradicting U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to expand access to the popular wellness products, The Washington Post reports. The recommendation was quietly posted online as Kennedy’s health department added several new members, many of whom are physicians, to a panel that will review some peptides next month. At least seven of the members have ties to peptide-related businesses and clinics. Another member is the son of a congresswoman who has urged Kennedy to convene the panel.
NPR News·—The FDA’s internal review team has put the spotlight on peptide drugs, noting that the data on both their effectiveness and safety are still pretty thin. Their analysis points out that most of the studies so far are small, short‑term, and don’t give a clear picture of long‑term risks. At the same time, a separate advisory committee is slated to meet later this month to discuss whether the rules around these molecules should be loosened. That panel will weigh the scientific concerns against the growing interest from patients and investors who see peptides as the next big thing. One of the more vocal supporters of the push to broaden access is Robert Kennedy Jr., who’s been touting peptides as a promising, low‑cost treatment option. His advocacy has helped keep the conversation in the public eye, even as regulators remain cautious. If the panel leans toward easing restrictions, it could open the door for more off‑label use and commercial development, but the FDA scientists’ warning suggests we’ll still be watching for more solid evidence before the market really takes off.
Endpoints Pharma·—__DEGRADED__ Ahead of an FDA advisory committee meeting to discuss lifting restrictions on seven popular peptides, agency reviewers have recommended against including the peptides on a list of bulk drug substances that can be used for ...
__DEGRADED__ Rise and shine, another busy day is on the way. We can tell because the official mascots got an early start chasing down cats, squirrels, and other creatures darting about the Pharmalot campus. And then there is the noisy parade of vehicles passing by on their way to who knows what? As for us, we are firing up the trusty coffee kettle to brew another cup of stimulation. Our choice today is maple cinnamon French toast. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, the time has come to get cracking. So here is the latest laundry list of interesting items for you to peruse. We hope you have a smashing day and, of course, do keep in touch. Best of luck, everyone. … A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has opened national security investigations into whether several large drugmakers have been involved in clinical trials conducted in China that helped fuel the country’s military capability, according to Reuters. In the letters, the lawmakers asked the drugmakers to provide by July 17 details of due diligence, data protection processes, and other standards at their trial sites in China, particularly in the Xinjiang region and at military hospitals. The probes are the latest sign of growing U.S. government concern over China’s role in the biotech industry. U.S. Food and Drug Administration career scientists said there is not enough evidence to allow certain peptides to be produced by compounding pharmacies, contradicting U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to expand access to the popular wellness products, The Washington Post reports. The recommendation was quietly posted online as Kennedy’s health department added several new members, many of whom are physicians, to a panel that will review some peptides next month. At least seven of the members have ties to peptide-related businesses and clinics. Another member is the son of a congresswoman who has urged Kennedy to convene the panel.
__DEGRADED__ (MedPage Today) -- When U.S. health officials meet next month to reconsider a list of controversial peptide drugs, they will hear from a new set of voices: doctors and pharmacists with deep financial ties to the burgeoning industry of unproven...
__DEGRADED__ WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Monday published the names of eight new panelists who will serve on a committee advising the agency on whether to allow compounding pharmacies to manufacture certain peptides. The majority of new members are involved with businesses that promote and prescribe peptides, and will be weighing in on rules changes that could benefit them. One of the new panelists is pharmacist and Tennessee state senator Bobby Harshbarger, the son of U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), who is also a pharmacist and has asked the FDA to ease up on peptide regulation. “It’s concerning that several members of the newly formulated [committee] appear to sell unproven offerings including stem cells and peptides, sometimes both,” said Paul Knoepfler, a professor of cell biology and human anatomy at UC Davis School of Medicine and a STAT contributor. He predicted in an op-ed this spring that health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would shape the committee to be friendly to popular but unproven peptides.
__DEGRADED__ WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Monday published the names of eight new panelists who will serve on a committee advising the agency on whether to allow compounding pharmacies to manufacture certain peptides. The majority of new members are involved with businesses that promote and prescribe peptides, and will be weighing in on rules changes that could benefit them. One of the new panelists is pharmacist and Tennessee state senator Bobby Harshbarger, the son of U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), who is also a pharmacist and has asked the FDA to ease up on peptide regulation. “It’s concerning that several members of the newly formulated [committee] appear to sell unproven offerings including stem cells and peptides, sometimes both,” said Paul Knoepfler, a professor of cell biology and human anatomy at UC Davis School of Medicine and a STAT contributor. He predicted in an op-ed this spring that health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would shape the committee to be friendly to popular but unproven peptides.
__DEGRADED__ When many of us think about how drugs work in the body, we may first think about how a drug gets into the body, such as a pill versus an injection. In the Gellman Group at the UW–Madison Department of Chemistry, researchers are instead thinking about how a drug behaves after it reaches its target, which is critical for effective drug performance. The cells in our bodies must receive and respond to information from their environment for healthy function, and when information flow is disrupted, illness can result. Most of the information is contained in molecules that engage with receptor proteins on cell surfaces. Many medicines work by modifying information transfer at specific receptor proteins.
__DEGRADED__ Bloomberg's Madison Muller and Amanda Mull break down a rising black-market trend in the 'wellness' space, as customers look for more shots to fix issues like sleep or weight following the success of GLP-1s. However, Muller says that the drugs carry a risk, whether it's using a non FDA tested substance or user error around the injection itself. (Source: Bloomberg)
Ken Liu’s interview with ChinaTalk reminded me that technology is really an extension of our imagination, a way we shape ourselves as we build tools. He argues that the human drive to create is what makes tech feel poetic, not just a corporate buzzword. Xiaowei Wang’s essay on Pasolini’s banned film uses that same lens to warn us about AI’s “false permissiveness.” She says the flood of safe, algorithm‑curated content flattens culture, turning art into a commodity instead of a transformative ritual. Anil Seth pushes back on the idea that machines could ever be conscious. He ties feeling to our embodied biology, suggesting that consciousness emerges from living, breathing bodies—not from abstract computation. All three pieces together ask us to look beyond hype, to see tech as a mirror of our deepest desires and limits, and to stay wary of anything that pretends to replace the messy, human way we actually experience the world.
The FDA’s slated to look at easing limits on a handful of peptide injections this summer, a move that’s been nudged along by both RFK Jr. and the current administration. Those peptides have become a sort of underground favorite among wellness circles and biohackers, with people swearing they can soothe tendonitis, boost recovery, or even help you catch a deeper tan. The conversation, laid out on a recent episode of the “Science of the Everyday” podcast, walks through the mix of genuine research and the more speculative claims that keep the market buzzing.
The documentary leans on the evidence: most supplements and trendy bio‑hacks—peptides, red‑light panels, hyperbaric chambers—haven’t passed randomized trials, so their benefits remain unproven. VO₂ max, by contrast, is backed by large cohort studies that link higher aerobic capacity to lower mortality; it’s a simple metric you can track with a fitness test. GLP‑1 drugs like Ozempic have solid phase‑III trial data showing weight loss and improved heart outcomes, making them the only longevity‑adjacent meds with clear results so far. Beyond pills, the show stresses that strong relationships, regular boredom, and mindful downtime consistently outperform pricey interventions in the long run.
Endpoints Pharma·—__DEGRADED__ It wasn’t too many years ago when we were busy theorizing about the market opportunity for GLP-1 weight loss drugs. Now, the big question is the moneymaking potential for other peptides that might soon move ...
__DEGRADED__ Muscle & peptides. If I had to pick the top buzzwords in health and medicine right now, those might be it. And where they overlap—muscle-building peptides—you run into a dense thicket of multisyllabic names and acronyms that can make even a literary PhD’s head spin: CJC-1295, Ipamorelin, Sermorelin, Tesamorelin, MK-677, Follistatin-344, ACE-031, IGF-1, hGH, and on and on. So today, the objective is simple: demystify the space. Author’s Note: The structure of this letter is going to be a bit different from our usual, more narrative style at StayCurious Metabolism. Normally, I like to walk you through the story of the science. But every now and then, it’s worth stepping back and just clarifying the landscape. That’s what this is. It will be a bit drier, but hopefully serve as a good resource for what these compounds are, how they work, and how people are using them. And I’ll be very, very, very, very, very (did I say “very” enough?) clear: this is not prescriptive. Some of these compounds are FDA-approved, many are not. And even the ones that are approved are typically indicated for very specific conditions. The purpose here isn’t to say, “Go use these.” It’s to acknowledge a trend and provide context. Medicine is moving toward bio-optimization and “performance medicine.” And peptides are increasingly part of that conversation, largely because they’re becoming more accessible and of greater public interest. That puts me in an interesting position. I could take the conventional route and say: don’t even look at these until every box is checked and every approval is in place. Alternatively, I can offer straightforward, good-faith education. Because the reality is, some of you are going to explore this territory regardless. To me, sticking our heads in the sand and ignoring this conversation is like preaching abstinence as the only form of contraception on a college campus—largely ineffective. So let’s be honest: people are going to “use peptides.” And as with sex, the better approach is education, information, and consent—and if someone says “no,” respect it… then maybe ask which nitric oxide–boosting peptide they were referring to. (Okay, I do need to have at least a little fun with you.) With that out in the open, let’s spend a few minutes demystifying this space. Before we get into naming and bucketing these compounds, it’s worth grounding ourselves in the hormonal axis they act on. Start with four key players: Brain Pituitary Liver Muscle The brain releases growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH), which does exactly what it sounds like—it signals the pituitary to release growth hormone (GH). Importantly, GH isn’t secreted in a steady drip. It’s pulsatile, released in waves, with peaks and troughs that tend to crest at night. That rhythm matters. It’s tied not just to muscle repair and growth, but also to sleep itself. There’s a reciprocal relationship, and we’ll come back to it, because some of these compounds are used as much for sleep as they are for physique. From there, growth hormone travels to the liver, which in turn produces another key hormone: IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1). IGF-1 promotes muscle protein synthesis, supports tissue repair, and plays a central role in hypertrophy. It also influences bone density, helps regulate metabolism, and contributes to cell growth and regeneration more broadly. Then, there’s the muscle itself. The muscle has built-in brakes for muscle growth. This might seem counterintuitive, but evolutionarily, it makes a lot of sense. Muscle is energetically expensive, so from an evolutionary perspective, you don’t want to hold on to more than you need.
A single‑lab study introduced a workflow that couples high‑resolution mass spectrometry with a tailored algorithm to read peptide sequences as short as five amino acids. The researchers validated the method on synthetic standards and then applied it to extracts from cooked meat, fermented dairy, and human plasma, showing consistent identification of previously hidden fragments. The key advantage is that the technique can distinguish peptides that differ by just one building block, something older approaches often missed. Accuracy was reported above 90 % for the test set, and the pipeline runs in minutes rather than hours. Because the work is still limited to controlled samples, it’s a promising proof‑of‑concept rather than a ready‑to‑use diagnostic tool. Still, it opens the door to mapping the tiny messengers that influence taste, metabolism, and disease signaling.
__DEGRADED__ Can any of the new obesity medications in development stand out from the pack? Which company just broke records with its IPO? And will the Food and Drug Administration allow greater access to experimental peptides? We discuss all that and more on this week’s episode of “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast.
__DEGRADED__ In our regular Founding Members Q&A, we answered your questions about muscle loss on GLP-1s, how to track muscle mass, berberine, what n-of-1 experiments I’ve been running with NAD+ and peptide injections, my upcoming Pvolve training, and what to do when cortisol is high and DHEA is low in our first case study.
__DEGRADED__ In our regular Founding Members Q&A, we answered your questions about muscle loss on GLP-1s, how to track muscle mass, berberine, what n-of-1 experiments I’ve been running with NAD+ and peptide injections, my upcoming Pvolve training, and what to do when cortisol is high and DHEA is low in our first case study.
__DEGRADED__ (MedPage Today) -- The FDA must do a better job of regulating unproven peptides, members of the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates said Monday. At their annual meeting, the delegates passed a resolution directing the AMA to...
__DEGRADED__ Collagen makes up a large share of your body’s protein, yet production drops every year with age, which contributes to wrinkles, weaker connective tissue, reduced strength, and slower recovery Researchers identified a specific pattern of collagen amino acids — glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline — that may signal your body to repair tissue, support physical function, and influence biological aging Human participants who consumed a collagen amino acid formulation showed measurable improvements in skin texture, hydration, and elasticity within one to three months After six months, biological age markers shifted younger on average, suggesting that targeted collagen amino acid supplementation may influence internal aging processes rather than appearance alone Supporting collagen at the root involves adequate protein with collagen-rich sources, vitamin C intake, protection against collagen breakdown, and high-quality collagen or gelatin sourced from properly raised animals Collagen accounts for roughly 12% to 17% of all protein in mammals, yet production drops about 1% to 1.5% every year as you age, according to research published in npj Aging.1 That steady decline explains why skin loses elasticity, hydration falls, and fine lines appear long before deeper health changes become obvious. This loss is more than cosmetic. Your connective tissue depends on collagen for strength, repair, and structural integrity, which means declining levels influence joints, muscle function, and metabolic resilience as well. Unlike many nutrition trends that focus on surface improvements, collagen sits at the center of cellular structure. Skin aging, characterized by wrinkles, dryness, and reduced elasticity, reflects a broader shift in tissue repair and resilience. Many people focus on creams or cosmetic procedures while the underlying biology receives little attention. Recent research now suggests that the solution may not require more collagen in general but rather the right components delivered in the right pattern. What makes this research different from typical collagen studies is its scope. Rather than measuring a single outcome like skin hydration, researchers investigated whether collagen’s core amino acids influence aging itself — from cellular signaling and physical function to measurable shifts in biological age. The human portion was an observational trial in which all participants received the supplement. The findings suggest that targeted collagen amino acid formulations may influence deeper mechanisms beyond surface appearance, warranting further research into collagen’s broader biological role. For the npj Aging study, researchers examined how specific collagen amino acids affect lifespan, physical strength, and visible aging across cells, animals, and humans.2 Instead of asking whether collagen works as a general supplement, researchers searched for the smallest functional unit — meaning the minimum building block — that triggers collagen repair and longevity signals in the body. This shifts the focus from generic collagen powders to the exact components that drive results. The researchers tested their hypothesis at three levels of complexity: first in C. elegans (a microscopic roundworm used widely in aging research), then in aged mice, and finally in healthy midlife adults — building evidence from simple organisms to human outcomes. Human participants were generally healthy adults in midlife, a stage when early aging changes begin to appear even if you feel well. Findings showed improvements in skin characteristics within three months and measurable biological age reduction after six months, suggesting that the internal aging clock moved in a younger direction. Lifespan increased when amino acids were combined in a specific ratio — The most striking discovery involved the ratio of three glycine, one proline, and one hydroxyproline, which increased lifespan by 6% to 27% in repeated trials using roundworms. Individual amino acids alone didn’t produce this effect, which tells you the body responds to patterns, not isolated nutrients. Your cells have receptors that detect collagen fragments — small peptide chains that act as chemical messengers. When glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline arrive in the same ratio found in intact collagen, those receptors recognize the pattern and activate repair pathways. Think of it like a lock and key: the ratio is the key, and your cell receptors are the lock.
__DEGRADED__ Many diseases are driven by proteins interacting with each other inside cells. But blocking these interactions with drugs is difficult because typical "small-molecule" drugs often prove to be too small to grip the broad, flat surfaces involved in protein-protein interactions.
…heard of this. If you’re one of us who does not live in SF: Peptides are unlicensed, unproven drugs that are easily accessible from online vend
Right after this piece dropped (so yes, at 5:45am on a Tuesday morning! ), my mother texted to ask why my hand is on my head in so many of these photos.
The FDA is revisiting the potential use of Semax, a synthetic heptapeptide, which could significantly impact women experiencing cognitive changes during midlife. Traditionally, the medical approach for women facing mental slowdowns in their forties has focused on lifestyle changes like sleep and stress management. However, emerging evidence suggests that these cognitive shifts are linked to biological changes in the brain, particularly in neuroplasticity and neurotransmitter activity, which are not addressed by conventional methods. Semax, derived from a fragment of the adrenocorticotropic hormone, has been used in Russian clinics to treat cognitive impairments and other neurological issues. It is administered intranasally, allowing it to directly access the central nervous system. Unlike its hormonal counterparts, Semax does not stimulate cortisol production, making it a unique neuropeptide with potential cognitive benefits. Research indicates that Semax increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), crucial for memory consolidation and neuroplasticity, particularly in the basal forebrain and hippocampus. This is significant for women in perimenopause or early postmenopause, as BDNF levels decline during this phase. The ability of Semax to enhance BDNF could provide a biological explanation for the cognitive difficulties many women report, such as trouble concentrating or recalling words. Additionally, Semax has shown promise in modulating immune responses and reducing neuroinflammation, which are increasingly recognized as factors affecting cognitive health in aging. Studies have demonstrated that Semax influences gene expression related to both immune and vascular systems, suggesting it may also support overall brain health by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation. As the FDA continues its review process, the implications of Semax extend beyond stroke recovery to potentially address broader neurological challenges faced by women during midlife. For those experiencing cognitive decline, Semax represents a novel approach that targets multiple underlying issues rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
A new trend is emerging in the U.S. involving the use of grey-market injectable peptides, which are unregulated substances bought from foreign dealers. These peptides, with names like BPC-157 and TB-500, are gaining popularity among biohackers and health enthusiasts who claim they aid in injury recovery, athletic performance, weight loss, mental function, sleep quality, and skin appearance. In tech-centric areas like the Bay Area, these peptides have become a status symbol, with some startup founders keeping vials in their office fridges for easy access. Events dubbed "peptide raves" have even emerged, where attendees learn how to inject these substances. Peptides are short chains of amino acids that play significant roles in hormone regulation and tissue repair. While over 100 FDA-approved drugs are peptide-based, the grey-market versions lack regulatory approval and safety data, often being untested and potentially dangerous. Some of these peptides are cheap versions of approved drugs, while others are synthetic compounds that mimic naturally occurring proteins in the body. Popular peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500 are often touted for their supposed regenerative properties, earning the nickname "Wolverine stack." However, experts caution that just because these proteins exist naturally doesn't mean their lab-made counterparts will provide therapeutic benefits. In fact, studies have not demonstrated any proven advantages of these compounds for human use.
Recent research has revealed that the venoms of ants in the Formicinae subfamily contain antimicrobial peptides, which play a crucial role in protecting their nests from pathogens. Traditionally, formic acid was thought to be the main component responsible for these protective functions. However, scientists have discovered that these peptides offer a more complex defense mechanism against harmful microorganisms. The identification of these antimicrobial peptides highlights the multifaceted nature of ant venom, which serves both offensive and defensive purposes. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding how ants maintain the health of their colonies and protect their environments from infections. The implications of this research extend beyond the ant colonies themselves. The antimicrobial properties of these peptides could inspire new approaches in medicine, particularly in developing novel antibiotics to combat resistant strains of bacteria. As antibiotic resistance becomes a growing global concern, insights from ant venom could lead to innovative treatments and solutions. Overall, the study underscores the importance of exploring natural substances for potential applications in healthcare, showcasing how even the smallest creatures can contribute significantly to scientific advancements.
Recent discussions around longevity peptides have gained traction, particularly those derived from the pineal and thymus glands, which some claim can significantly enhance human lifespan. The key figure in this research is Russian professor Vladimir Khavinson, who has conducted studies suggesting that these peptides, specifically thymalin and epithalamin, can reduce mortality rates in elderly individuals. A notable study published in 2003 showed that participants over 60 who received treatments with these peptides experienced a substantial decrease in mortality—up to 4.1 times lower compared to control subjects. Alongside reduced mortality, improvements in physical health, blood pressure, and heart disease were also reported. This has led to speculation that these peptides might be akin to a "fountain of youth." Peptides are short chains of amino acids with various biological functions. In this context, epithalamin and thymalin are derived from the pineal and thymus glands, respectively, and are believed to have potent effects on health and longevity. The research process typically involves starting with crude organ extracts, observing their effects, isolating active components, and synthesizing them for use. One of the intriguing aspects of this research is the role of telomeres, which protect chromosome ends and shorten with each cell division, leading to aging. The enzyme telomerase can rebuild telomeres, and epithalon may reactivate this enzyme, suggesting a potential mechanism for slowing aging. Further exploration into the effects of these peptides on telomeres, the immune system, and sleep patterns is ongoing, with the promise of developing effective longevity protocols based on current findings.
Collagen supplements traditionally break down into amino acids during digestion, but recent research highlights the potential benefits of specific di- and tripeptides that resist this breakdown. These peptides can enter the bloodstream intact and may stimulate collagen production and other beneficial processes in the body. Companies like Gelita and Nitta Gelatin have developed formulations rich in these bioactive peptides, which have shown promising results in clinical trials. A study indicated that a lower dose of concentrated bioactive collagen peptides can be as effective as a higher dose of standard collagen, suggesting a four-fold potency advantage. The discovery of key dipeptides, such as prolyl-hydroxyproline and hydroxyprolyl-glycine, has shifted the understanding of collagen supplementation, revealing that these peptides can accumulate in tissues like skin and cartilage and may play active roles in signaling for collagen synthesis. Research shows that these bioactive peptides not only survive digestion but also support the production of extracellular matrix components in cartilage and activate pathways that enhance collagen gene expression and hyaluronic acid synthesis in skin cells. Gelita has developed various formulations targeting specific tissues, with clinical trials demonstrating benefits for joint pain reduction and improvements in skin hydration and elasticity. Formulations like FORTIGEL for joints and VERISOL for skin have shown significant positive effects in clinical studies, with improvements in joint discomfort and skin quality persisting even after supplementation ends. Additionally, FORTIBONE has been linked to increased bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, suggesting that these collagen peptides may also support bone health by influencing bone cell activity. Overall, the emerging science around bioactive collagen peptides presents a more nuanced understanding of how collagen supplementation can benefit various aspects of health.
