The rise of DIY GLP-1 injections at home is sparking serious concern among experts. What started as a desperate attempt to lose postpartum weight has turned into a growing trend of Americans becoming amateur chemists, mixing their own weight-loss drugs in their kitchens. But here’s where it gets controversial: these homemade concoctions, often called "gray GLP-1s," are unregulated, potentially unsafe, and legally questionable.
Take Liz, for example. At 33, she just wanted to shed the baby weight that wouldn’t budge after giving birth. Like many new moms, she struggled to fit into her pre-pregnancy clothes and looked into weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. However, the high price tag was a major barrier. Then, she discovered TikTok videos where users claimed they could create these expensive medications cheaply at home. That’s how Liz found herself diving into the world of "gray GLP-1s," preparing these drugs herself in her kitchen starting last spring.
Liz, who prefers to keep her last name private due to legal risks, is part of a growing number of Americans turning to research-grade peptides—substances intended for scientific study—and converting them into GLP-1-like drugs. This trend is fueled by the high cost and limited access to FDA-approved weight-loss medications like Ozempic. The term "gray GLP-1s" refers to this unofficial, unregulated practice that exists in a legal and medical gray area.
Medical professionals and legal experts are sounding alarms. These "gray" drugs have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and buying research-grade peptides for human use is illegal under both state and federal laws, explains Courtney Sullivan, an Arizona attorney specializing in drug regulations. Yet, suppliers of these "gray" products market them as affordable, effective solutions for weight loss and improved well-being.
"The market is completely unregulated right now," Sullivan warns. "These illegal sellers are making huge profits, but there’s no oversight, no enforcement, and no guarantee these products are safe."
Although the FDA recently updated its guidelines on compounded GLP-1 medications, experts argue that stronger enforcement and clearer regulations are urgently needed. Sullivan stresses, "The only way to be sure you’re getting a safe, legitimate product is to buy from a state-licensed manufacturer or compounder. These so-called 'gray' drugs are black market products. Calling them anything else gives a false sense of legitimacy that simply doesn’t exist."
Why are so many people turning to "gray" GLP-1s? The answer lies in affordability and access, says Sabina Hemmi, founder of GLP Winner, a consumer advocacy group. Some users microdose these homemade drugs as a cheaper way to maintain their weight loss. Others turn to "gray" options when brand-name drugs are out of stock or when insurance won’t cover their prescriptions due to their weight or medical history.
Liz explains, "The cost was going to be $300 to $400 a month. Spending about $100 for nearly a year’s worth of medication felt worth the risk."
In some areas, options are disappearing altogether. Lindsey Landers, an advanced practice nurse in Kentucky, stopped prescribing compounded GLP-1s from licensed pharmacies after a drug manufacturer issued a cease and desist order in August 2025. While she continues to prescribe brand-name GLP-1s to patients who can afford them, many are left with no choice but to seek out illegal sources.
"I have patients who have lost up to 125 pounds and feel like they’ve regained their lives," Landers shares. "But many are desperate, willing to buy these medications from any available source, including illegal online sellers. In my small community with only six stoplights, access to care is a very real challenge."
But why is the "gray" market such a problem? The risks are significant. Sullivan points out that some of these illegal drugs may be ineffective, leaving serious health issues untreated, while others could be contaminated with harmful substances that pose long-term dangers.
"Patients using these untested, illegal products are putting themselves at risk," Landers agrees.
Safety concerns extend beyond the drugs themselves. Users often rely on encrypted messaging apps, follow advice from non-medical sources, and purchase from obscure websites that frequently vanish. Many vendors operate overseas and demand payment in cryptocurrencies, adding layers of complexity and risk.
Misinformation is rampant. Many buyers assume that because these peptides are labeled "for research use only," they are safe for personal use. Sullivan clarifies, "'Research use only' is meaningful only in a controlled research environment. These companies use that label to create a false sense of legitimacy."
Experts emphasize that stronger regulation is essential to protect patients. As "gray" GLP-1s become more mainstream, users worry about potential crackdowns that could cut off their access.
For people like Liz, who rely on these drugs for chronic health conditions, the situation is especially stressful. "I understand the panic," she says. "I just wish there was a cheaper, regulated option. It’s not realistic for most Americans to afford an extra $400 a month. Why can’t we have an affordable, safe alternative?"
This raises a critical question: Should the government and pharmaceutical companies do more to make these life-changing medications accessible and affordable? Or is the risk of unregulated, homemade drugs too great to ignore? What do you think? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—do you agree with the concerns about "gray" GLP-1s, or do you see them as a necessary solution in today’s healthcare landscape?
