A clear factual explanation of what peptides and SARMs are, how they differ biologically, and their very different regulatory positions.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids — the same building blocks as proteins, just shorter. Many are naturally occurring signaling molecules, and several peptide drugs are fully FDA-approved for specific conditions (insulin is a peptide). SARMs — selective androgen receptor modulators — are a different class entirely: synthetic compounds designed to bind androgen receptors, pursuing the muscle-building effects of anabolic steroids with fewer of the other effects.
No SARM has been approved by the FDA for any use. The FDA has issued public warnings about SARMs sold in supplements, citing risks including liver injury and cardiovascular events. They are prohibited in sport by WADA. Products containing them are frequently sold labeled as research chemicals or mislabeled as dietary supplements, which is itself unlawful — SARMs do not meet the legal definition of a dietary ingredient.
This varies enormously by compound, which is where confusion starts. Some peptide drugs are approved and prescribed. Others — like BPC-157 and TB-500 — have no approval and cannot be lawfully sold for human use. 'It's just a peptide' tells you nothing about legality or safety; the specific compound is what matters.
People often lump these together as 'performance compounds.' Legally and biologically they're separate categories, with separate risks and separate regulatory histories.
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