A few days ago, a 45-year-old woman came to me seeking treatment for obesity. She was not diabetic, but was about 20 kilos overweight and could be a suitable candidate for medication. I began explaining tirzepatide (Mounjaro), including its benefits and potential side effects. She cut me short. “I don’t want Mounjaro. I’ve heard a lot about its side effects.”

I asked what she would prefer instead.

“Retatrutide. All my friends are taking it.”

I asked whether she understood its potential risks and knew that it had not yet been approved for routine clinical use. She replied that she had learnt enough about it from Instagram and Reddit. Here was someone worried about the side effects of an established medicine, yet requesting a drug still under clinical development. This, in many ways, typifies the current peptide craze. The word peptide has acquired an almost magical quality. Peptides are discussed everywhere, from obesity clinics and gyms to social media and longevity centres. They are promoted for weight loss, muscle building, better skin, faster recovery, anti-ageing, and even longevity. Some of you might have read about the peptide party that was planned in Bangalore last month but had to be cancelled due to intervention by the authorities.

What exactly is a peptide? A peptide is a chain of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Our bodies naturally produce hundreds of peptides. Important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, oxytocin, and vasopressin, belong to this family. Insulin has been used for more than a century. Three developments explain the current enthusiasm. First, advances in biotechnology allow scientists to design and........

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