Peptides: Hype vs Science with Leigh Baxt, PhD

Peptides are everywhere right now. From social media influencers and wellness clinics to fitness circles and longevity enthusiasts, they're being marketed as the next big thing for recovery, muscle growth, anti-aging, and optimization. But what does the science actually say? In this episode, we sit down with Leigh Baxt, PhD, with nearly two decades of experience in translational science and drug development, to unpack the growing peptide trend. We discuss how drugs are actually developed, why most therapeutic ideas fail, the difference between FDA-approved peptide medications and unregulated compounds, and how marketing often outpaces evidence. If you've ever wondered whether peptides like BPC-157 or TB-500 are worth the hype, this conversation will help you separate science from salesmanship. "If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is." \- Leigh Baxt, PhD “When you do science, the experiments you design are the ones to try to poke a hole in your hypothesis." \- Leigh Baxt, PhD This week on Capable & Worthy: Fitness, Nutrition and Mindset for People Who Don’t Want Life to Suck: - Why more than 99% of potential drug therapies never make it to market - What translational science is and how new therapies are developed - The difference between FDA-approved peptide drugs and unregulated peptides - Why peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500 raise concerns among scientists - The role of human clinical trials in determining safety and effectiveness - How marketing language can make products appear more evidence-based than they are - Why women in midlife may be especially vulnerable to peptide marketing claims - How to evaluate health claims critically and find trustworthy scientific information Connect with Leigh Baxt, PhD:  - Leigh Baxt, PhD on Instagram - sciencemomscicomm Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of Capable & Worthy: Fitness, Nutrition, and Mindset for People Who Don’t Want Life to Suck, where we challenge the common understanding of what it means and what it takes to be fit and healthy! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. Apple Podcasts | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and tag us! Join Iris Deadlifts on Instagram and Amy Rudolph on Instagram.