A comprehensive review of BPC-157 studies identified no human safety data

Peptides like BPC-157 are marketed based largely on animal studies, not human research

BPC-157, which purportedly helps with tissue repair and muscle growth, can cause concerning side effects, including pain and swelling. TB-500, another experimental peptide, is marketed for wound healing, but it hasn't undergone any clinical human trials, and high levels of this peptide have been linked to tumor growth. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

BPC-157 stands for Body Protection Compound-157

Listen to this primer on the peptide BPC-157, which is composed of 15 amino acids. This clinician describes how it's made synthetically, based on a substance found naturally in the human gut and discusses the limited research on the product.

The US FDA issued a 2025 warning about BPC-157 and other popular peptides

BPC-157, which mimics a naturally occurring gut peptide involved in soft tissue repair, has been marketed for various regenerative properties. But the FDA warned in July 2025 that it doesn't have enough data to assess its safety in humans and that such products may also pose risks related to contamination.

Read a deep dive on the 'all-purpose healing' peptide BPC-157.

Read a deep dive on the 'all-purpose healing' peptide BPC-157

The unapproved peptide—which has received glowing testimonials from bodybuilders, biohackers, popular podcasters, and some in the MAHA movement— is often sourced from China. It has been used for myriad conditions. But scientific questions about the substance abound, including whether it's truly a natural substance produced by the human body, since genetic material that codes for its unique amino acid sequence hasn't been found in the human genome or the gut microbiome. Other unknowns include how it works in the body, which receptors it targets, and its safety, since evidence beyond anecdotes remains scant in humans.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has banned many peptides

The global body has an entire section dedicated to banned peptide hormones, including ones that may stimulate growth hormones and testosterone. BPC-157 was added to the list in 2022.

Peptide research dates back to the late 1800s

Peptide science dates back to the late 1800s with some early peptide synthesis work, but peptides took off in the medical sphere after surgeon Frederick Banting and his colleague's isolation of insulin from dog pancreases in 1921.

Two festival-goers were hospitalized after receiving peptide injections, raising questions

Investigative journalism shop ProPublica wrote about two people who became extremely ill following antiaging peptide injections. Authorities were examining whether the individuals were sickened by an infection, contamination related to the injections, or an issue with the medication itself, according to documents obtained by the journalists at ProPublica.

BPA-free plastics often contain other harmful 'forever chemicals'

These molecules are widely used in single-use plastics, may leach into food, resist breakdown, and can build up in the human body. They have been linked to obesity, heart disease, and neurological issues, particularly when heated.

Veterans reported single dose of ibogaine improved TBI, PTSD, anxiety, and depression

Research published in 2024 on the Central African plant-derived drug included 30 male combat vets who received ibogaine treatment in Mexico. It reported significant reductions in multiple mental health conditions and no serious side effects. Other work, however, has shown the substance can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias, killing at least 19 people between 1990 and 2008. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

Stem cell therapies show promise in treating spinal injuries

Researchers have long hoped to use stem cells in regenerative medicine to help patients with spinal cord injuries restore sensation and movement. A 2024 clinical trial illustrates how stem cells derived from patients' fat tissue could help spur the creation of new cells in the spinal cord.

Search this citation-heavy database of nutrition and supplement research

Explore a reference site that aggregates and summarizes peer-reviewed studies on hundreds of supplements and dietary interventions. It is ad-free and funded by subscriptions, making it a health resource without a financial stake in what you buy.

Premarin was the bestselling drug in the US in 1992

The drug, derived from the urine or pregnant mares, raised ethical and animal welfare concerns, but also became wildly popular until the Women's Health Initiative study findings in 2002 (which have since been largely disproved). In the 1990s, Premarin was used to treat menopause symptoms and also to protect against osteoporosis and heart disease among older women.

Collagen supplements have become a multibillion-dollar industry

Beginning in our 20s, the amount of this protein in our skin, muscles, and connective tissue declines. But independent, high-quality studies—like those that are double-blind—have not yet shown a significant association between their use and evidence of it improving skin elasticity, reducing wrinkles, or combating hair loss. Some collagen supplements do seem to help with joint pain and knee function, but NPR cautions that studies on that purpose are industry-funded.

As of 2025, extensive research studies do not support fears about seed oils

Across human trials, seed oils have not been shown to increase rates of disease or inflammation, with a study of over 800 Swedish men finding that higher seed oil diets were linked to living longer. Reviews of these trials found better health outcomes when saturated fats were replaced with seed oils.

Read this analysis indicating which traditional stevia medical uses have scientific evidence

This research paper investigates the various uses of Stevia rebaudiana leaves and their extracts and concludes that the substances do hold significant potential for improving cardiovascular health and inflammatory disorders in adults, among several other potential applications. Its authors suggest that further research should examine safe dosage questions and chronic disease management approaches.

As of February 2025, there are more than 150 clinical trials using CRISPR technology

The clinical trials are designed to determine whether experimental CRISPR-related therapies are safe and effective. The majority of trials involve treatments for blood disorders, including beta thalassemia.

Searching for the history of cancer in ancient human bones

Nestled under archaeology lies bioarchaeology, which involves the study of bones, human or animal. This subfield recently birthed another field of study: paleo-oncology. Paleo-oncology looks for cancer and related biomarkers in bioarchaeological remains. This TED article explains how this nascent multidisciplinary field challenges the idea that cancer is modern.

When people stopped using GLP-1, they regained two-thirds of the weight back

Research from 2022 found that when people stopped using the injectable form of the medication, they regained up to two-thirds of lost weight within a year. The finding suggests ongoing treatment will be required for weight loss.

Recent research found that the brain doesn't seem to massively rewire following amputation—upending earlier beliefs about the cause of phantom limb pain.

After the patient died, a latent pig virus was discovered inside his xenotransplant

Researchers studying the death of David Bennett Sr., the first gene-edited pig heart transplant patient, discovered potential factors that may have contributed to his demise. One finding is that there was a latent virus, called porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV), in the pig heart, which may have contributed to dysfunction of the transplant.

A pediatric journal ran 138 fictional case studies, and 61 were cited as real stories

The Canadian journal Paediatrics & Child Health issued corrections to 138 case studies published since 2000, acknowledging the cases were entirely fictional—a practice intended to protect patient privacy that was never disclosed to readers. At least 61 of the fabricated reports were cited as fact in other peer-reviewed journals a combined 218 times, including a 2006 Lancet article alleging an infant died from opioid-laced breast milk.

Over 28% of US adults use yoga for pain management

According to a 2022 study, 28.8% of adults used yoga as a way to manage pain. That's a significant uptick from 2002, when only 11.2% did. The most used approach was chiropractic, which 85.7% used.

Two Lyme disease vaccines were in development in 2026

As of early 2026, there was no vaccine for Lyme disease available. One candidate vaccine, VLA15, was in later-stage clinical trials. Another designed to provide seasonal protection was licensed to a pharmaceutical company in 2025, and was planned for human clinical trials.

Research suggests the brain maintains connections to lost limbs

Decades-old research suggested brain reorganization after amputations, but brain scans show unchanged limb representations. Phantom limb pain may result from such unchanged brain maps, which may enhance prosthetic limb control in brain-computer interface technology.

Synthetic opioids: a historical and clinical review

In the 19th century, researchers began synthesizing and isolating poppy plant alkaloids, leading to the invention of morphine, codeine, heroin, oxycodone, and others. These highly addictive variants eventually gave rise to illicit use and a widespread underground market, laying the foundation for the current opioid crisis.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is looking closely at BNPL

Given the lack of data around BNPL services in comparison to other financial products such as credit cards, the CFPB has conducted research to better understand BNPL products and how they could harm and benefit consumers.

The hormonal disorder PCOS was renamed PMOS in 2026, a move designed to improve care and research by shifting the focus to the hormonal causes of this condition that affects 1 in 8 women.

An Ebola vaccine was developed during the 2018 west African Ebola outbreak, but the 2026 Ebola outbreak is with a different species of the virus, not the one that the vaccine is approved to treat.

Larger animals like giraffes, elephants, and blue whales have developed a unique defense against cancer, a phenomenon known as Peto's Paradox

As of 2025, the most cited papers in science include a review of graphene, methods to improve image recognition, streamlining electron density calculations, and optimizing protein studies.

The first line of 'immortal' human cells, which can divide indefinitely and are used in scientific research, was nonconsensually taken from a Black woman.

Listen to an in-depth conversation on the links between Parkinson's disease and herbicide exposure and the challenging pace of scientific investigation.

11 people died from firework injuries in the US in 2024.

About 12.5% of US adults experience a phobia in their lifetime, a diagnosis that hinges on the intense fear interfering with daily life and persisting for at least six months.

At the beginning of the 20th century, a group of young men ate standard American food—replete with food additives like borax and formaldehyde—as part of government research to better understand food safety.

In 2025, four executives from large tech companies were given positions in the US Army Reserves—including Palantir Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar, which reinforced Palantir's ties with the US military and its role as a leading defense partner.

Before humans, the Soviet Union and the United States sent animals—including apes, dogs, and cats—to space during the Space Race.

In 1984, Operation Smash Hit intentionally crashed a 239-ton train into a nuclear waste canister at 100 miles per hour to prove the canister's safety, which remained completely intact and lost just 0.29 of its 100 pounds of pressure.

The USPS spent $3.97B in 2024, accounting for .058% of the federal budget.

Explore the archaeological treasures of Pompeii, the city buried under volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE.

Urushiol, the oily toxin in poison ivy, can remain allergenic on clothing for years.

In 2018, 26-year-old missionary John Allen Chau was killed by tribesmen after attempting to reach and evangelize on India's isolated North Sentinel Island

Objects can be 3D printed with light by projecting 2D computerized tomography (CT) scans onto rotating cylinders of resin, which solidify upon exposure.

Despite being favored by 87% of Americans, Congress does not have term limits.

The 1987 Nintendo video game 'Stadium Events' isn't known for being particularly fun, but its scarcity has made it a highly sought-after item that has sold for up to $35K at auction.

Prince's sexually explicit 1984 track 'Darling Nikki' attracted the ire of the Parents Music Resource Center, an advocacy group that inspired the Parental Advisory sticker, even though the song ends with a Christian message.

The identity of the Tank Man in the iconic photo from the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests remains unknown and was possibly killed.

Domino's Pizza's 30-minute delivery guarantee was responsible for the chain's 1980s surge, but it was discontinued after the company was found liable for delivery driver accidents.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is the largest ground war in Europe since World War II in terms of casualties, forces mobilized, and displacement of civilians.