Evidence review: Open Peptide Project (verified against primary PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov & FDA records) · Last checked 2026-10-27. ← Back to Evidence Library
WADA Prohibited List and peptides in tested sports
Which peptide classes are banned for athletes, and why "research chemicals" are not a loophole
Evidence verdict: Based on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List. Athletes should confirm any substance with their anti-doping organization.
Last reviewed: Oct 27, 2026
In 30 seconds
- S0 bans, at all times, any substance with no current government approval for human therapeutic use. WADA names BPC-157 as an example. [Regulatory]
- S2.2 bans GHRH analogs (e.g. CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin), GH secretagogues (e.g. ipamorelin, ibutamoren) and GHRPs (e.g. GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin), plus GH fragments such as AOD-9604. [Regulatory]
- S2.3 bans growth factors including IGF-1 and its analogs, mechano growth factors, and thymosin-beta-4 derivatives such as TB-500. [Regulatory]
- Doping labs detect many of these peptides by LC-MS, and update methods when modified analogs appear. [Lab]
S0: non-approved substances
The 2026 List (in force 1 January 2026) says any pharmacological substance not covered elsewhere and with no current approval by any governmental regulatory health authority for human therapeutic use is prohibited at all times, in and out of competition, and names BPC-157 among examples. All S0 substances are Specified Substances. [Regulatory]
S2: peptide hormones and growth factors
S2.2.1 covers testosterone-stimulating peptides in males (CG, LH, GnRH and agonist analogs, kisspeptin). S2.2.3 covers GH, its analogs and fragments (e.g. AOD-9604, hGH 176-191). S2.2.4 covers GHRH and analogs (CJC-1293, CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin), GH secretagogues (anamorelin, capromorelin, ibutamoren, ipamorelin, macimorelin, tabimorelin and others) and GHRPs. S2.3 covers growth factors and modulators including FGFs, HGF, IGF-1 and analogs, MGFs, PDGF, thymosin-beta-4 and derivatives such as TB-500, and VEGF. [Regulatory] Insulins are under S4.4.2. GLP-1 drugs were not found named on the 2026 List text we reviewed.
Strict liability and contamination
Under the World Anti-Doping Code, athletes are responsible for any prohibited substance found in their sample. Mislabeled products are a real risk: in one study, 39% of online "SARM" products contained a different unapproved drug, including ibutamoren (PMID 29183075). [Regulatory, Observational]
Detection
LC-MS(/MS) methods are used for GHRPs, insulins and IGF-1 analogs (PMID 21752560), and labs have updated methods after finding glycine-modified secretagogues in seized material (PMID 30136411). [Lab] Detection windows for specific peptides are not given here (UNVERIFIED).
Evidence levels used on this page
- [Regulatory] FDA, USP or WADA primary document. [Controlled study] randomized trial or systematic review of trials. [Observational] market surveillance, pharmacovigilance or cohort data. [Lab] cell, analytical or animal work. [Case] single case report.
Related
Counterfeit and mislabeled gray-market peptides, Research-use-only peptides and FDA law
References
- World Anti-Doping Agency. 2026 Prohibited List (in force 1 January 2026), sections S0, S2.2 and S2.3. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list
- World Anti-Doping Agency. World Anti-Doping Code. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/what-we-do/world-anti-doping-code
- Van Wagoner RM, et al. Chemical composition and labeling of substances marketed as selective androgen receptor modulators and sold via the internet. JAMA. 2017. PMID 29183075.
- Thevis M, et al. Doping control analysis of selected peptide hormones using LC-MS(/MS). Forensic Sci Int. 2011. PMID 21752560.
- Gajda et al. Glycine-modified growth hormone secretagogues identified in seized doping material. Drug Test Anal. 2019. PMID 30136411.
Disclaimer: This page is for education only. It is not medical advice, and it does not endorse using, buying or preparing any unapproved product. Talk to a licensed clinician before you start, stop or change any treatment.