Peptides are having a moment.
From podcasts to TikToks to dinner-party conversations, everyone is talking about them. Peptides are marketed for energy, mood, metabolism, gut health, muscle support, pain relief, and even aging. So if you’re navigating weight changes, low energy, muscle loss, brain fog, or sleep disruptions, you might be wondering: Is this something I should be doing too? Or is this just another shiny wellness trend?
Before jumping on the bandwagon, let’s talk about what peptides are so you can think about whether or not they are right for you.
Those seeking naturopathic care routinely mention the same frustrations. Patients say:
- I am not bouncing back the way I used to.
- I am doing everything right, but my body is not responding.
- I feel overwhelmed by all my supplements and unsure which ones are actually helping.
- I want relief, but do not want a short-term fix that creates long-term problems.
Whether this shows up as anxiety, digestive issues, chronic pain, weight changes, poor sleep or low energy, the experience is similar. Your body is asking for support, and the usual tools may no longer be enough. Naturopathic medicine starts where conventional medicine leaves off: by getting to the root cause of your symptoms.
I often tell patients that, in medicine, more options do not always create more clarity. Just because we can influence the body does not mean we should, or that we should do so indefinitely.
Consider that when you think about peptides. It’s the same way you would consider herbs, supplements and lifestyle changes. Thoughtfully, and with the bigger picture in mind. The question I ask is not what is trending, but what is actually needed for this person at this point in their health.
Peptides are small signaling molecules made from amino acids. You can think of them as messengers that tell your cells how to behave. They instruct your body to build muscle, calm inflammation, support gut repair, regulate appetite or improve cellular energy.
While peptides are found naturally in your body, pharmaceutical companies are creating them in concentrated doses, synthetically and bioidentically – think GLP1’s. Some peptides are regulated, others are not, making source, dosing and medical oversight essential.
For some people, peptides can be helpful tools. A way to gently nudge the system as more profound healing work is happening. For others, they may not be affordable, accessible or appropriate as a long-term solution.
What matters most is this. Peptides do not replace the foundations of health. They do not fix sleep on their own, build muscle without resistance training, restore the gut microbiome in isolation or regulate a dysregulated nervous system unassisted.
Peptides work best when they are part of a comprehensive plan that considers:
Why are you using them?
How long do you plan to stay on them, and do you need an exit strategy?
How do they interact with other supplements or medications?
In many cases, there are non-injectable or more natural options that influence similar pathways, and those can be a better place to begin.
If you are curious about peptides or feeling overwhelmed by the options, you do not have to deal with this alone. At Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture, we help you look at the big picture and decide what actually supports your health, optimally now and over time.
Trends will come and go. Your health deserves a well-informed, functional plan.
New patient? You can schedule a free 15-minute call with Dr. Graves to learn more about peptides and whether they are right for you.
Dr. Adam Graves, ND, LAc, is a Naturopathic Doctor and Licensed Acupuncturist in the south Denver Metro Area at his practice, Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture.
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