How peptides conquered the internet

Search Engine with PJ Vogt

smoneyyz/TikTok via NYMag

Hello!

A new one for you.

Two decades ago, bodybuilders on niche internet forums started injecting peptides. Now they're in the secret mini-fridges of some teenage boys. How did they get there? We track their crooked path from Silicon Valley to jaw-smashing influencers.

Further Reading

Jasmine Sun

You can subscribe to her Substack here…

@jasmine’s substackan anthropology of disruption 📍 essays on AI and Silicon Valley cultureBy Jasmine Sun

And you can read Jasmine’s NYT peptides piece here

Ezra Marcus

His website

His peptides piece (”Life on Peptides Feels Amazing”)

Thank you for listening! I like to ask questions each week in these, because I am curious about what’s on your minds. I don’t want to ask people about their medical choices, so I’ll ask this instead: please share the strangest (or most gray market) thing you’ve bought online. Please don’t confess to crimes online. That’s standard advice at this newsletter, but also a specific ask this week.

Thank you for listening! We are re-airing one of our favorite episodes tomorrow, so I’ll be on your feed but younger and more vivaciously.

PJ

subscribe to this humble newsletter here

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smoneyyz/TikTok via NYMag

Hello!

A new one for you.

Two decades ago, bodybuilders on niche internet forums started injecting peptides. Now they're in the secret mini-fridges of some teenage boys. How did they get there? We track their crooked path from Silicon Valley to jaw-smashing influencers.

Further Reading

Jasmine Sun

You can subscribe to her Substack here…

@jasmine’s substackan anthropology of disruption 📍 essays on AI and Silicon Valley cultureBy Jasmine Sun

And you can read Jasmine’s NYT peptides piece here

Ezra Marcus

His website

His peptides piece (”Life on Peptides Feels Amazing”)

Thank you for listening! I like to ask questions each week in these, because I am curious about what’s on your minds. I don’t want to ask people about their medical choices, so I’ll ask this instead: please share the strangest (or most gray market) thing you’ve bought online. Please don’t confess to crimes online. That’s standard advice at this newsletter, but also a specific ask this week.

Thank you for listening! We are re-airing one of our favorite episodes tomorrow, so I’ll be on your feed but younger and more vivaciously.

PJ

subscribe to this humble newsletter here

2026-02-19
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