Economist
Mar 31, 2026 – 6.44am
Fifteen years ago, buying performance-enhancing drugs usually meant hanging around a bodybuilding gym until you met someone who knew someone. The deal could then be consummated in a quiet corner of the car park, in cash.
Times change. When The Economist wanted to get hold of a “peptide” drug known as BPC-157, supplies were a mere mouse-click away. Numerous websites offer next-day delivery, or let customers buy in bulk to secure a discount. “Frequently asked questions” pages walk newbies through the process. One site claims to have been in business for 14 years and to have accumulated hundreds of largely positive appraisals on Trustpilot, a platform where customers can leave reviews. Payment is by credit card, bank transfer or – inevitably – cryptocurrency.
The Economist
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