Odd Lots The Booming Business of Chinese Peptides
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Dec 19, 2025 
Jasmine Sun, an independent writer focusing on San Francisco culture and AI, alongside Zak David, managing partner at Pirsek Technologies, dive into the intriguing world of peptides. They explore how peptides, linked to weight loss and social dynamics, have become a cultural trend in tech communities. Jasmine discusses the underground peptide subculture and its implications, while Zak sheds light on the sourcing and quality control of Chinese-manufactured peptides, revealing the complexities of a burgeoning market amidst regulatory uncertainties.
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Peptides Defined And Why Interest Exploded
- Peptides are short amino-acid chains and include both natural and synthetic molecules like oxytocin and insulin.
- Interest surged after GLP-1 weight-loss drugs normalized self-injection and created demand for next-gen peptides.
Tech Friends Going Direct For GLP-3s
- Jasmine describes tech friends sourcing Retatrutide from Chinese manufacturers to access next-gen weight-loss drugs early.
- People pay a fraction of US prices and self-administer drugs still in phase-two trials.
Wide Uses But Weak Evidence
- Aside from GLP drugs, users experiment with peptides for healing, tanning, sleep, and anxiety despite sparse human trials.
- Most evidence remains anecdotal or limited to animal/in vitro studies.