Welcome to Ben Greenfield's Weekly Roundup!
In this weekly post, I share with you my most interesting discoveries of the week, including the latest news on the fronts of fitness, nutrition, health, wellness, biohacking, and anti-aging research. I also recap my upcoming events and special announcements so you can keep up with opportunities to learn, giveaways, discounts, and more!
New Discoveries
FDA Panel Votes To Expand Access To Popular Peptides—*Here's* What Happened 🧬
Last week, an FDA advisory committee voted to recommend allowing six popular peptides—including BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, MOTS-c, Epitalon, and Semax—to be compounded by licensed pharmacies.
Before assuming the decision was based purely on strong clinical evidence, it's worth understanding how the FDA has handled similar decisions in the past.
In 2021, the FDA's own advisory panel voted almost unanimously against approving Biogen's Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm® (aducanumab), saying the evidence wasn't there. The FDA approved it anyway, and three panel members resigned over the decision.
One resigning panelist called it one of the worst approval decisions in the agency's history. A later congressional investigation described an unusually close collaboration between FDA staff and Biogen during the review.
In 2022, an FDA panel rejected the ALS drug Relyvrio because of weak data, then reversed course after ALS patients lobbied for reconsideration. The drug was approved, but two years later its confirmatory trial failed, and the manufacturer voluntarily withdrew it from the market.
In both cases, the agency ultimately changed course after pressure from stakeholders, despite concerns about the underlying evidence.
The peptide vote followed a different, but still unusual, path.
FDA staff had recommended against adding several of these peptides to the compounding list, citing limited human research and available alternative therapies. Even so, the advisory committee voted to recommend that six of the seven peptides move forward in the rulemaking process, with only emideltide failing to receive approval.
It's important to note that this vote does not make these peptides FDA-approved or immediately available through compounding pharmacies. The recommendation now enters a public rulemaking process before any final decision is made.
For peptide users and practitioners, however, it's a significant regulatory development that could eventually expand legal access through licensed compounding pharmacies, while also continuing the debate over how much evidence should be required before these compounds become more widely available.
So what could this mean for you?
If these recommendations ultimately become final, they could make it easier to legally access several of today's most talked-about peptides through licensed compounding pharmacies. These include BPC-157 for tissue repair and recovery, TB-500 for healing and mobility, KPV for gut and inflammatory support, and MOTS-c for metabolic health and exercise performance (although more high-quality human research is still needed for many of these compounds).
If you're interested in learning more about peptides, including their mechanisms, research, potential benefits, and practical applications, you can check out my related podcasts, articles, and videos linked below:
- The AMAZING Future Of Regenerative Medicine, The New Sexier Alternative To Stem Cells, Where You Should Get Peptides (& The Best Peptides Stacks) & More With Dr. Matt Cook
- Ben Greenfield’s Ultimate Peptide “Power Plays” — Transformational Stacks for Rapid Recovery, Supercharged Fat Burning, Explosive Muscle Gains & More.
- Everything You Need To Know About Peptides Part 1: What Are Peptides, Where to Get Peptides, How To Reconstitute Peptides, Peptide Storage, Peptide Injections & More!
- How To Use BPC-157: A Complete Dummies Guide To Healing The Body Like Wolverine.
- Demystifying Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides – Everything You Need To Know About GH, Ipamorelin, Tesamorelin & More!
- Are Peptides Legal? What The FDA’s New Bulk Drug Substance Crackdown Means For Peptides (Plus 9 Promising Little-Known Peptides To Watch Out For In The Future).
- The Dark Side Of Peptides: Why You Need To Proceed With Caution When Using These Powerful But Potentially Carcinogenic Molecules.
- The Peptides Podcast: Everything You Need To Know About Anti-Aging, Muscle Gain, Fat Loss & Recovery Peptides.
Come Join My Family & Me for the Boundless Premiere & Live Podcast Recording in Moscow, Idaho—Tomorrow! 🎬
Tomorrow, Boundless: The Man Who Became Human premieres in Moscow, Idaho—my own backyard, and I can't wait to share it with my community.
This Friday, we'll be at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, a beautiful, historic 1920s landmark.
The documentary includes cutting-edge biohacking and human science, but, more importantly, is about everything data can’t measure: family, marriage, faith, and purpose.
It may be the most controversial, edgy, but transformative piece of content my team and I have ever produced.
If you're in the Inland Northwest, tickets are still available for a limited time here.
We'll watch the film together in the theater (my family will be there too). After that, you'll experience a live recording of the Boundless Life podcast, with an open Q&A.
This is going to be an unforgettable night—don't wait to get your tickets. Seats are moving fast!
You can get your tickets here.
P.S. Can't make it to a live show? Pre-order the Boundless film on Apple TV here (if viewing on a browser, click “Open TV” in the top left corner).
This Week in Health & Performance: What the Latest Research Says
🌱🦠 Your Gut Microbiome May Determine How Healthy Foods Affect You: A fascinating new study suggests that simply eating more fruits and vegetables isn't a one-size-fits-all prescription. Researchers found that your gut microbiome has a major impact on how well your body processes beneficial plant compounds, meaning the same foods can produce very different biochemical effects from one person to the next. This reinforces the importance of personalized nutrition over generic dietary advice (read the study).
🫁🏃 Inspiratory Muscle Training Continues To Impress: In my book Boundless, I devote an entire section to inspiratory muscle training—using a handheld device that creates resistance while you inhale. Now, another study adds to the growing body of evidence, showing this simple practice can improve endurance, balance, and respiratory muscle strength. Sometimes overlooked muscles deliver some of the biggest performance gains (read the full study).
🥩⚡ You May Be Able To Eat More Carbs Than You Think And Stay In Ketosis: A new study found that many people can maintain nutritional ketosis (defined as blood beta-hydroxybutyrate levels of at least 0.5 mmol/L) while consuming up to 110 grams of carbohydrates per day. But that's not the whole story. Long-term low-carb eaters, highly active individuals, and people using exogenous ketones may be able to consume even more carbohydrates while remaining in ketosis. As always, metabolic flexibility and individual physiology are both key factors to consider (full study here).
💪🚫 Blood Flow Restriction Doesn't Boost Heavy Lifting Results: Blood flow restriction (BFR) training has earned plenty of attention, but new research suggests combining it with heavy resistance training doesn't provide additional gains in muscle size or strength, and may even reduce power output. BFR can still be a useful tool in certain situations, such as rehabilitation or lighter-load training, but piling it onto already heavy lifting doesn't appear to offer extra benefits (full study here).
Key Takeaway: Personalized health continues to outperform one-size-fits-all advice. Your microbiome may influence how you respond to healthy foods, inspiratory muscle training remains one of the most underrated performance tools available, nutritional ketosis is often more flexible than commonly believed, and when it comes to strength training, more isn't always better, especially if you're considering adding blood flow restriction to heavy lifting.
Want to dive deeper? Click the links above to explore the research, and click here to follow me on X for all the latest health and performance news hot off the press!
Product Of The Week
::: Try A Smarter Way To Caffeinate With LMNT Lemonade Iced Tea (& Get a Free Gift) 🍋 :::
You probably think that caffeine gives you more energy. It doesn't. What it actually does is temporarily block adenosine, the molecule that tells your brain you're getting tired.
The fatigue keeps building in the background, and when the caffeine wears off, it all comes rushing back. That's the afternoon crash many people know all too well.
That's one reason I've become a fan of LMNT's new Lemonade Iced Tea. Instead of relying on a large dose of isolated caffeine like most energy drinks, it delivers a moderate 50mg of caffeine from a full-spectrum organic black tea extract.
Because the tea naturally contains compounds like L-theanine and polyphenols, the result is a noticeably smoother, steadier lift, with less spike and less crash.
It also includes LMNT's signature electrolyte formula (sodium, potassium, and magnesium), helping replenish the minerals caffeine can increase your body's excretion of while supporting hydration and cellular energy production.
If you're looking for sustained focus, cleaner energy, or a better pre-workout option without the jitters, LMNT's Lemonade Iced Tea is definitely worth checking out (and it's backed by a no-questions-asked refund policy).
Plus, when you order through my link here, you'll receive a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular electrolyte flavors with any purchase.
Podcasts I Recorded This Week:
Hunting, Spearfishing & The Truth About Cannabis: A Father-Sons Florida Adventure with Adam Wenguer
The Latest Content I Was Featured On This Week:
My Article Feed:
My full article feed and all archives of my articles are here.
Upcoming Events:
Boundless Live Tour Presented by FormulaIQ | Summer 2026
Join the world premiere of Boundless: The Man Who Became Human, a new feature documentary that follows 20 years of body optimization colliding with life's immeasurable moments—marriage, family, and faith. Experience a live podcast recording and intimate Q&A with my family and me in Los Angeles, Austin, and Moscow, ID, one night in a room full of people chasing the same thing. Purchase tickets here.
Health Optimisation Summit | September 11–13, 2026
I'm speaking at the Health Optimisation Summit in London (September 11–13, 2026) at the Business Design Centre. This isn't your average health conference. HOS unites the best minds in biohacking, longevity, nutrition, fitness, and medicine, with one goal: to actually make people healthier. With 35+ world-class speakers, 120+ cutting-edge brands, and 4,000 like-minded people all under one roof, it's two days that could genuinely change how you approach your health. Get your ticket here and use code BEN to save 10% off registration!
Eudēmonia | November 5–8, 2026
I'm speaking at Eudēmonia (November 5–8, 2026, in West Palm Beach, FL), a prevention-focused, science-based health, well-being, and longevity summit designed to add years to your life and life to your years. Across 3 days and 15 venues, you'll experience 200+ talks from 120+ experts, 300 treatments, and 160+ brands covering everything from biohacking, longevity, and hormonal health to gut health, brain health, peptides, mobility, and more. I'll be leading a talk and a movement session alongside some of the brightest minds in health today. Use code BGREENFIELD-EUD-100 for $100 off when you register here!
The Boundless Couples Retreat | November 10–14, 2026
Ready to reconnect and recharge with your partner in paradise? Join the Greenfields at the stunning Prana Maya resort in Belize for the Boundless Couples Retreat, November 10–14, 2026. It's a five-day, all-inclusive escape designed to deepen your relationship, restore your vitality, and create memories that last a lifetime. From relaxation and adventure to intimate relationship coaching with Jessa and me, every detail is crafted to send you home with a stronger bond and a reinvigorated spirit. Spots are limited, so discover more and secure yours here today!
The Manzo x Ben Greenfield Table Private Dinner | Throughout 2026
If you want to taste one of the world's rarest cuts of beef and experience my North Idaho biohacking compound firsthand, my family and I are hosting The Manzo x Ben Greenfield Table, an intimate, chef-catered VIP dinner on a few limited 2026 dates. The evening includes biodynamic wine, a live cooking demo, a multi-course Piedmontese feast finer than Wagyu, and a night of deep sleep in an EMF-free, fully grounded, circadian-optimized guest room. Anyone who reserves a half or whole Piedmontese bull from Manzo qualifies for a spot, so reserve your allocation and dinner here.
Stay tuned for future updates—and you can always keep up with my LIVE appearances by checking out bengreenfieldlife.com/calendar!
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Cheers,
Ben
