Scientifically reviewed by Dr Stephan Hansberg
Are peptides banned in sport? WADA 2026 status
Which peptides are banned under the 2026 WADA Prohibited List and why: S0 non-approved substances, S2 peptide hormones and growth factors, S4 metabolic modulators, the infusion rule, the 2027 change, and NCAA, USADA, UKAD and Sport Integrity Australia guidance.
Key takeaways
- •Most research peptides are banned in sport at all times, either by name or under the S0 catch-all for substances with no regulatory approval for human use.
- •S0 names BPC-157; S2 names TB-500, growth hormone fragments such as AOD-9604, GHRH analogues such as CJC-1295, and secretagogues such as ipamorelin; S4 names MOTS-c.
- •The 2027 WADA List, approved on 10 September 2026 and in force from 1 January 2027, names peptides in general within S0.
- •Route does not matter: USADA says a prohibited peptide is prohibited whether injected, taken orally or applied to the skin.
- •The NCAA's 2026-27 list names BPC-157 and TB-500, and bans any substance chemically or pharmacologically related to its classes.
The short answer
Yes, most peptides are banned in sport. The 2026 WADA Prohibited List bans BPC-157 under S0, thymosin beta-4 and TB-500 under S2, growth hormone releasing peptides and fragments under S2, and MOTS-c under S4, all at all times, in and out of competition. Peptides not named are usually still caught by S0, because it covers any pharmacological substance without approval for human therapeutic use.
The WADA List applies to athletes in sports bound by the World Anti-Doping Code, enforced nationally by bodies such as USADA in the US, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and Sport Integrity Australia. Collegiate sport in the US follows the NCAA's own list.
How the WADA List treats peptides
S0, non-approved substances, covers any pharmacological substance that is not addressed elsewhere on the List and has no current approval by any government health authority for human therapeutic use, such as drugs in pre-clinical or clinical development, discontinued drugs, designer drugs and veterinary-only substances. The 2026 List names BPC-157 as an example. All S0 substances are Specified Substances.
S2, peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics, covers named classes such as growth hormone and its fragments, growth hormone releasing factors and secretagogues, and growth factors. S2 substances are non-Specified. S4.4, metabolic modulators, includes AMPK activators and names MOTS-c. S4.4 substances are also non-Specified.
Specified versus non-Specified changes the default sanction and how much an athlete must show to reduce it. It does not change whether a substance is prohibited.
Named peptides on the 2026 List
Where commonly discussed peptides appear on the WADA Prohibited List 2026, in force from 1 January 2026:
| Peptide | WADA class | How it is listed | Specified? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 | S0 Non-approved substances | Named example | Yes |
| TB-500 / thymosin beta-4 | S2.3 Growth factors and modulators | Thymosin-beta4 and its derivatives e.g. TB-500 | No |
| AOD-9604, hGH 176-191 | S2.2.3 Growth hormone fragments | Named examples | No |
| CJC-1293, CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin | S2.2.4 GHRH and analogues | Named examples | No |
| Ipamorelin, ibutamoren (MK-677) | S2.2.4 GH secretagogues | Named examples | No |
| GHRP-1 to GHRP-6, hexarelin | S2.2.4 GH-releasing peptides | Named examples | No |
| Kisspeptin and agonist analogues | S2.2.1 Testosterone-stimulating peptides (males) | Named | No |
| IGF-1 and analogues, mechano growth factors | S2.3 Growth factors | Named | No |
| MOTS-c | S4.4.1 Metabolic modulators (AMPK activators) | Named example | No |
| KPV, GHK-Cu | Not named | Unapproved pharmacological use may fall under S0; check with your NADO | - |
| NAD+ | Not a prohibited substance | IV over 100 mL per 12 hours prohibited under M2.2 | M2.2 is a Specified Method |
What changes on the 2027 List
WADA's Executive Committee approved the 2027 Prohibited List on 10 September 2026, and it takes effect on 1 January 2027. According to USADA's athlete advisory, peptides in general are now named as prohibited substances in the S0 class, reflecting that many peptides sold online are not approved for human use by any regulator. In practice this removes any argument that an unnamed peptide falls outside the List.
Separate from peptides, reporting on the 2027 List says GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide remain permitted after WADA's expert group concluded the evidence did not yet meet the criteria for inclusion.
National anti-doping agencies
USADA says BPC-157 is prohibited under S0, that a Therapeutic Use Exemption for it is unlikely to be approved, and that topical use of a prohibited peptide or growth factor is just as prohibited as injected or oral use. It has sanctioned athletes over BPC-157, including a case in which a medical provider had recommended the product. USADA's cosmetics guidance lists some cosmetic peptides, including non-palmitoylated tripeptide-1 (GHK), as not prohibited, and advises avoiding cosmetics claiming to contain growth factors.
UKAD flagged BPC-157's addition to the List for 2022 and warned athletes to watch for supplements marketing it. Sport Integrity Australia's substance profiles list thymosin beta-4 under S2.3 and note that it is not approved by the TGA. In Australia, BPC-157, thymosin beta-4 and TB-500 are also Schedule 4 substances with possession offences, so an athlete there can face both an anti-doping case and a criminal law issue.
NCAA rules
The NCAA uses its own banned drug classes rather than the WADA List. Its 2026-27 list includes peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics, and names BPC-157, TB-500, growth hormone, IGF-1, ibutamoren (MK-677), EPO and hCG as examples. The NCAA states that any substance chemically or pharmacologically related to its classes is also banned and that there is no complete list of banned substances.
Contamination and labelling risk
Anti-doping rules apply strict liability: an athlete is responsible for any prohibited substance in their sample, whatever the label said. Products sold as research chemicals or supplements are not batch-tested for sport, and UKAD recommends batch-tested supplement schemes for athletes. Athletes who need a medicine should speak to their team doctor and check Global DRO or their national agency before use.
Where Celyfe fits
Celyfe's research pens contain substances covered above: WOLVERINE (BPC-157, TB-500), GLOW (GHK-Cu, BPC-157, TB-500), KLOW (GLOW plus KPV) and the NAD+ Precision Pen. They are supplied for laboratory research only. Athletes subject to anti-doping rules should not use research peptides.
Sources
Checked 8 October 2026:
- WADA: World Anti-Doping Code International Standard, Prohibited List 2026 (S0, S2, S4.4, M2.2), wada-ama.org
- USADA: What's new on the 2027 WADA Prohibited List, September 2026, usada.org
- USADA: BPC-157: Experimental peptide creates risk for athletes, usada.org
- USADA: Peptides and growth factors in cosmetics: are they banned?, usada.org
- USADA: Athlete advisory, key changes on the 2022 WADA Prohibited List, usada.org
- UKAD: Major changes to the 2022 Prohibited List: what you need to know, ukad.org.uk
- Sport Integrity Australia: Thymosin beta-4 and BPC-157 substance profiles, sportintegrity.gov.au
- NCAA: 2026-27 banned substances list, ncaa.org
- Athletics Illustrated: World Anti-Doping Agency published its 2027 list of banned substances and methods, 28 Sep 2026
Research use only
Celyfe supplies research peptides for laboratory and research use only. Nothing on this page is guidance on use in humans or animals. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules in all three countries changed several times in 2026, so check the regulator's current publications or speak to a qualified adviser before relying on anything here.
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