Peptides (BPC-157 and TB-500) for runners: what's being used and what the research says
We report what runners are using and what the research says. We don't recommend taking any supplement. Talk to your GP or a registered sports dietitian before trying one.
Quick answer
Yes. BPC-157 and TB-500 are prohibited at all times under the World Anti-Doping Agency's list[1]. Runners hear about them as injury-recovery aids, but the evidence is almost all from animal and lab studies: a 2025 systematic review found one small clinical study and no clinical safety data[2].
- Research
- Banned (proposed)Prohibited in sport at all times. There are no controlled trials in athletes.
- Proposed by our editor; not yet confirmed by an expert reviewer.
- WADA status
- Prohibited
- Distances in the research
- 800 m–5K: not studied10K–half: not studiedMarathon: not studiedUltra: not studied
What are BPC-157 and TB-500?
BPC-157 is a synthetic chain of 15 amino acids, based on a protein fragment first found in gastric juice[3]. TB-500 is a fragment of the protein thymosin beta-4[4].
Neither is an approved medicine. BPC-157 lacks approval from the US Food and Drug Administration[2], and it sits in the anti-doping list's section for substances that no government health regulator has approved for human use[1].
They are not the same as the collagen peptides sold as a food supplement, which have been tested in randomised trials in recreational athletes[5].
Also called: body protection compound 157, thymosin beta-4 fragment.
Why are BPC-157 and TB-500 getting attention?
They are marketed for faster recovery from injury, through a grey market of unapproved peptides sold directly to the public, largely outside regulatory oversight[4].
Social media plays a part: a 2026 review discusses how it amplifies the placebo effect around these peptides[4]. They are often seen as low risk, despite missing evidence on whether they work or are safe[6].
How do BPC-157 and TB-500 work?
In animal and lab studies, BPC-157 affected pathways involved in blood-vessel growth, cell growth and inflammation[2][3].
Whether any of that happens in people, and whether it is safe, hasn't been tested in controlled human trials[3][6].
Are BPC-157 and TB-500 banned for runners?
There is no controlled research in runners or other athletes. The evidence for both is almost entirely from animal and lab studies[2][6].
800 m to 5K (Not studied)
We found no studies of BPC-157 or TB-500 in runners at these distances. Reviews of BPC-157[2] and of popular peptides including TB-500[6] found almost no human research.
10K to half marathon (Not studied)
There are no studies at these distances either. Human research of any kind is limited to a handful of studies, mostly without proper controls[6].
Marathon (Not studied)
We found no studies in marathon runners; the human research on these peptides is almost non-existent[2][6].
Ultra (Not studied)
The key studies, in order
- 2018ConsensusInadvertent use of substances prohibited under anti-doping codes is a known risk of some supplements; the rules of strict liability apply. [7]
- 2021Systematic review15 randomised trials of collagen peptides, a food supplement, mostly in recreational athletes. [5]
- 2025Expert reviewBroad animal evidence, but only three small pilot studies in humans. BPC-157 should be treated as investigational until proper trials exist. [3]
- 2025Systematic review36 studies: 35 in animals or cells and one small retrospective clinical study. No clinical safety data. Not approved by the US FDA. [2]
- 2026Expert reviewA grey market of unapproved peptides, including BPC-157 and TB-500, sells directly to the public outside regulation. Human safety data are scarce and serious harm is possible. [4]
- 2026Expert review67% of publications on six popular peptides were animal studies. Human studies were few and mostly poorly controlled; claimed benefits are unsubstantiated. [6]
What the research can't tell us yet
Of 36 studies in a 2025 systematic review, 35 were in animals or cells, and the one clinical study was a small retrospective study of 12 patients[2].
No clinical safety data were found[2]. A 2025 review counted only three small pilot studies in humans and called for proper trials[3].
Promising animal results have not been shown in human trials, which is why reviews describe the claimed benefits as unsubstantiated[6].
How are BPC-157 and TB-500 used in studies?
We don't describe amounts, timing or how these products are taken. There are no controlled human trials that would give those details any meaning, and both are prohibited in sport[2][1].
What are the side effects, and who should be careful?
A 2025 systematic review found no clinical safety data[2], and a second review found only one tiny safety study, in two healthy adults[3]. Reviews warn of possible harm from unregulated manufacturing and contamination, and from not knowing what a product actually contains[2][4].
A 2026 review of six popular 'peptide' products found some, such as MK-677, were linked to serious risks including heart failure[6].
Be careful if
- You compete in any tested sport: both are prohibited at all times[1].
- You're recovering from an injury: reviews describe these peptides as unproven in humans and advise against using them in place of standard medical care[6].
- Someone recommends them for injury recovery: they come from a grey market outside regulatory oversight[4].
Are BPC-157 and TB-500 allowed in competition?
BPC-157 is named in the list's S0 section, non-approved substances, and TB-500 is covered under S2, peptide hormones and growth factors, as a derivative of thymosin beta-4. Both are prohibited at all times, in and out of competition[1].
Under the World Anti-Doping Code, an athlete is responsible for any prohibited substance found in their sample, whatever the reason it is there[7].
Batch-testing schemes, which check supplement products for prohibited substances[7], don't change this: BPC-157 and TB-500 are themselves prohibited[1].
Myth or evidence?
4 things runners hear about BPC-157 and TB-500. Pick an answer to see what the research says.
1.BPC-157 is only banned during competition.
Show the answer
Myth. It is prohibited at all times, in and out of competition[1].
2.Controlled trials show BPC-157 helps athletes recover.
Show the answer
Myth. A 2025 systematic review found no such trials: 35 of 36 studies were in animals or cells[2].
3.Collagen peptides and BPC-157 are the same thing.
4.Nobody knows how safe these peptides are in people.
Show the answer
Evidence. A 2025 systematic review found no clinical safety data[2].
Have you tried BPC-157 and TB-500?
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Frequently asked questions
- Are BPC-157 and TB-500 banned in athletics?
- Yes. Both are prohibited at all times under the WADA Prohibited List[1].
- Is there any evidence BPC-157 helps injuries heal?
- In animals, there is a lot; in people, almost none. A 2025 systematic review found 35 animal or lab studies and one small clinical study[2].
- Is BPC-157 safe?
- Nobody knows. A 2025 systematic review found no clinical safety data and warns of risks from unregulated manufacturing and contamination[2]. Another review describes serious possible harms[4].
- Are these the same as collagen peptides?
- No. Collagen peptides are a food supplement tested in randomised trials[5]; BPC-157 and TB-500 are unapproved substances prohibited in sport[1].
- Why are they talked about so much?
- They are marketed for faster injury recovery through a grey market largely outside regulation, and social media amplifies the claims made for them[4].
References
- [1]
World Anti-Doping Agency The Prohibited List. World Anti-Doping Agency, 2026.
RegulatorBPC-157 is named under S0, non-approved substances; thymosin beta-4 and its derivatives, such as TB-500, under S2. Both are prohibited at all times.
www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list - [2]
Vasireddi N, Hahamyan H, Salata MJ, et al. Emerging use of BPC-157 in orthopaedic sports medicine: a systematic review. HSS Journal, 2025.
Systematic review36 studies: 35 in animals or cells and one small retrospective clinical study. No clinical safety data. Not approved by the US FDA.
doi.org/10.1177/15563316251355551 - [3]
McGuire FP, Martinez R, Lenz A, et al. Regeneration or risk? A narrative review of BPC-157 for musculoskeletal healing. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, 2025.
Expert reviewBroad animal evidence, but only three small pilot studies in humans. BPC-157 should be treated as investigational until proper trials exist.
doi.org/10.1007/s12178-025-09990-7 - [4]
Mendias CL, Awan TM Safety and efficacy of approved and unapproved peptide therapies for musculoskeletal injuries and athletic performance. Sports Medicine, 2026.
Expert reviewA grey market of unapproved peptides, including BPC-157 and TB-500, sells directly to the public outside regulation. Human safety data are scarce and serious harm is possible.
doi.org/10.1007/s40279-026-02437-0 - [5]
Khatri M, Naughton RJ, Clifford T, et al. The effects of collagen peptide supplementation on body composition, collagen synthesis, and recovery from joint injury and exercise: a systematic review. Amino Acids, 2021.
Systematic review15 randomised trials of collagen peptides, a food supplement, mostly in recreational athletes.
doi.org/10.1007/s00726-021-03072-x - [6]
Tewari K, Liu TP, Im C, et al. Peptide supplements and their therapeutic applications in sports medicine. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2026.
Expert review67% of publications on six popular peptides were animal studies. Human studies were few and mostly poorly controlled; claimed benefits are unsubstantiated.
doi.org/10.1177/03635465261464420 - [7]
Maughan RJ, Burke LM, Dvorak J, et al. IOC consensus statement: dietary supplements and the high-performance athlete. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2018.
Consensus statementInadvertent use of substances prohibited under anti-doping codes is a known risk of some supplements; the rules of strict liability apply.
doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-099027
Who wrote and reviewed this
Written by Grant MacMillan, Editor, RunV. Not yet reviewed by an expert.
Last checked against its references . Next review due . How pages are reviewed · How we grade research
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