Marketplace Tech The 'biohacking' trend that has tech workers experimenting on themselves
Jan 19, 2026
Jasmine Sun, an independent tech journalist who has contributed to outlets like The New York Times, delves into the concerning world of gray-market peptides. These unapproved injectable substances are gaining popularity among tech workers seeking to optimize health and performance. Sun examines the legal gray area surrounding their use, the booming import market from China, and the health risks involved. She explores the obsession with biohacking in Silicon Valley, where founders treat body modifications as experiments for a competitive edge.
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Peptides Sold As Performance Hacks
- Gray-market peptides are marketed as broad performance and health enhancers beyond weight loss.
- Jasmine Sun explains users expanded interest from GLP-1s to many untested peptides for sleep, muscle, and skincare.
Labeled 'Research Chemicals' To Evade Rules
- Buying peptides as 'research chemicals' allows suppliers to label them 'not for human use' while customers self-inject.
- Jasmine Sun notes the supply chain turns a blind eye and this gray market skirts FDA oversight.
Imports Of Peptides Have Surged
- Imports of hormone and peptide compounds from China more than doubled year over year.
- Jasmine Sun points to US customs data showing imports rose from $164M to $328M in three quarters.