00:02You've probably seen them on your social media feed, marketed by influencers as youth and beauty in a clear vial.
00:09They're using tactics such as, you know, fear-mongering about one's health and wellness.
00:15They're using really pervasive narratives around how to improve your looks and how you feel.
00:24Peptides are short chains of amino acids that make up proteins in the body.
00:28When used correctly under medical supervision, peptides like GLP-1s can be life-changing.
00:34But when unregulated from unknown labs, the effects can be catastrophic.
00:39They're ending up in hospital with all sorts of problems from vomiting and dehydration through to liver failure, needing a
00:46liver transplant.
00:47So really extreme harm.
00:48When it comes to those hospital presentations, New South Wales Health data shows a significant jump from just five people
00:55in July last year to 217 last month.
00:58Over that entire 14-month period, 1,180 people turned up to emergency departments across the state.
01:06There's a real worry that this is a tip of the iceberg because we know so many of these effects
01:11might be delayed.
01:13I've seen children as young as 14 tell me that they've been ordering peptides online.
01:17If it hasn't been prescribed by your GP, if you haven't gone to a pharmacy and picked it up, then
01:24it's probably a very good reason not to use it.
01:27A desperate warning to follow doctor's orders.
