This blog post features a few key takeaways from Dr. Megan’s Wellness Your Way podcast interview with Dr. Chris Renna all about peptides. Find the full episode here and be sure to subscribe to Wellness Your Way so you don’t miss future episodes!

Guest Bio: Dr. Chris Renna

Dr. Renna is a family physician who graduated from the University of Texas and earned his medical degree cum laude from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Early in his career, he realized traditional medical training focused on diagnosing disease rather than creating true health, so in 1992, he founded LifeSpan Medicine, a personalized, prevention-focused practice built on concierge support and 24/7 access to care. With more than three decades dedicated to helping patients optimize their health, he’s become a nationally recognized leader in preventive medicine, as well as a published author and sought-after speaker.

Top Insights from Dr. Chris Renna’s Interview

1. Peptides Aren’t What You Think They Are: You’ve heard of collagen and GLP-1s — but peptides are far more than trendy supplements. They’re the signaling molecules your body already makes to complete critical healing, repair, and metabolic processes. This episode explains why that distinction matters.
2. Why “Inflammation” Isn’t the Whole Story: Most people try to stop inflammation. But what if the real goal is completing the healing cycle? You’ll learn why simply suppressing symptoms (like with NSAIDs) may not be enough — and how certain peptides approach the problem differently.
3. The Hidden Reason Fat Loss Gets “Stuck”: GLP-1 medications don’t just curb appetite. They affect cellular “withdrawal windows” that determine whether your body can access stored energy. Understanding this mechanism changes how you think about stubborn weight.
4. The Gut–Injury–Recovery Connection: One peptide in particular (BPC-157) is gaining attention for gut healing and musculoskeletal repair. But how it works — and why route of administration matters — might surprise you.
5. Why Some People React Poorly to Peptides: Histamine flares, rashes, headaches, jitteriness — what’s actually happening? This episode dives into bio-individuality, sourcing risks, and why quality control may be one of the most important factors in peptide therapy.
6. Growth Hormone After 40: Boost or Backfire? Growth hormone declines with age — and that affects muscle, skin, bone, and recovery. But centenarians often have low levels. So should you stimulate it… or not? We unpack the paradox.
7. The Sleep Effect No One Talks About: Some growth hormone–related peptides appear to dramatically improve deep sleep. Why would a “muscle” peptide impact your sleep score and stress metrics? The answer connects directly to how your body repairs overnight.
8. Do Peptides Cause Cancer? This is one of the biggest fears — and one of the biggest misconceptions. The discussion walks through what peptides actually do, what the real caution is, and how to think about risk intelligently instead of fearfully.
9. Copper Peptides and the Truth About Skin Rejuvenation: GHK-Cu is everywhere in skincare right now — but what does it really do? And how is collagen production different from true structural rejuvenation? You’ll learn what’s realistic and what’s marketing.
10. The Wild West of Peptide Purchasing: Many peptides online are labeled “not for human use.” So how should someone vet safety, sourcing, and quality? This episode outlines the critical questions to ask before you ever consider trying one.

Want to hear the full episode, including what peptides actually are, the most commonly discussed peptides right now, where the research is promising — and where it’s still emerging — and so much more?

Check out the podcast episode here!