Peptides Legal in Sports
Spoiler: Almost all performance-enhancing peptides are banned in competitive sports. Below is a breakdown by sports federation and testing reality.
Peptide Ban Status by Major Sports Organization
| Organization | GH Secretagogues | BPC-157 | TB-500 | Other Peptides | Testing Capability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WADA (Olympics) | Banned (S2) | Banned (S0) | Banned (S0) | Most banned | Advanced - can detect most |
| USADA (UFC, Olympic sports) | Banned | Banned | Banned | Follows WADA list | Advanced testing |
| NFL | Banned | Unclear/Not listed explicitly | Banned | Some banned, others gray | Moderate - GH peptides detectable |
| MLB | Banned | Not explicitly listed | Banned | GH-related banned | Moderate testing |
| NBA | Banned | Not listed | Banned (growth factors) | GH-related banned | Basic to moderate |
| NCAA | Banned | Banned | Banned | Follows WADA closely | Moderate - random testing |
| CrossFit Games | Banned | Banned | Banned | WADA prohibited list | Advanced (Games athletes) |
| Powerlifting (USAPL/IPF) | Banned | Banned | Banned | WADA list | Moderate (comp testing) |
| Powerlifting (Untested feds) | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | No testing | None |
| Bodybuilding (IFBB Pro) | No testing | No testing | No testing | Not tested | None (except Olympic qualifier) |
| Cycling (UCI) | Banned | Banned | Banned | WADA list | Very advanced (bio passport) |
| Triathlon (Ironman/ITU) | Banned | Banned | Banned | WADA list | Moderate to advanced |
Specific Peptide Ban Classifications (WADA)
| Peptide | WADA Class | Ban Status | Detection Window | Test Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ipamorelin | S2 - Growth Hormone Secretagogues | Banned (always) | Days to weeks | Yes (WADA labs) |
| CJC-1295 | S2 - Growth Hormone Releasing Hormones | Banned (always) | Days to weeks | Yes |
| GHRP-2 | S2 - Growth Hormone Secretagogues | Banned (always) | Days | Yes |
| GHRP-6 | S2 - Growth Hormone Secretagogues | Banned (always) | Days | Yes |
| Tesamorelin | S2 - GHRH analogs | Banned (always) | Days to weeks | Yes |
| BPC-157 | S0 - Non-approved substances | Banned (always) | Unknown (test exists) | Yes (since 2022) |
| TB-500 | S0 - Non-approved substances | Banned (always) | Weeks (long half-life) | Yes |
| Thymosin Beta-4 | S0 - Non-approved substances | Banned (always) | Weeks | Yes |
| MGF | S2 - Growth factors | Banned (always) | Unknown | Difficult to detect |
| GHK-Cu | Not explicitly listed | Gray area | N/A | Not tested for |
| LL-37 | Not explicitly listed | Likely S0 (non-approved) | Unknown | Unlikely tested |
| Gonadorelin | S2 - Gonadotrophins | Banned (always) | Hours to days | Yes |
| Kisspeptin | Likely S0 (non-approved) | Banned (precautionary) | Unknown | Not routinely tested |
Testing Reality: Can You Actually Get Caught?
| Competition Level | Testing Frequency | Peptide Testing | Practical Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic/Elite International | Very high (random + competition) | Full WADA panel including peptides | Very High - Will get caught |
| Professional (NFL, UFC, etc.) | High (multiple times/year) | GH peptides tested; healing peptides sometimes | High - Likely caught |
| NCAA D1 | Moderate (random + championship) | Standard WADA panel, not all peptides | Moderate - Depends on peptide |
| NCAA D2/D3 | Low (championship only typically) | Basic panel, most peptides not tested | Low to Moderate |
| CrossFit Regional/Games | High (Games), Low (regionals) | Full WADA for Games qualifiers | High if Games level, Low otherwise |
| Local/State Tested Powerlifting | Competition only | Basic steroid panel, rarely peptides | Low - Most peptides not tested |
| Amateur Bodybuilding (tested) | Competition only | Steroids yes, peptides rarely | Very Low |
| Untested Competitions | None | None | Zero |
| Recreational/Gym Use | None | None | Zero |
Detection Methods & Washout Periods
| Peptide | Detection Method | Typical Detection Window | Can You "Beat" It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ipamorelin | LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography) | 3-7 days | Stop 2 weeks before test (not guaranteed) |
| CJC-1295 | LC-MS/MS | 5-14 days | Stop 3-4 weeks before (risky) |
| GHRP-2/6 | LC-MS/MS, immunoassay | 2-5 days | Stop 10-14 days before |
| BPC-157 | LC-MS/MS (newer test) | Unknown (estimates 7-14 days) | Uncertain - new test |
| TB-500 | LC-MS/MS, biomarker testing | 2-4 weeks (long half-life) | Stop 6-8 weeks before (conservative) |
| Tesamorelin | LC-MS/MS | 5-10 days | Stop 2-3 weeks before |
| MGF | Very difficult (endogenous) | Unknown | Possibly - detection hard |
| GHK-Cu | Not tested (naturally occurring) | N/A | Not tested for |
Consequences of Positive Test
| Organization | First Offense | Second Offense | Additional Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| WADA/USADA | 2-4 year ban | Lifetime ban | Results nullified, medal/prize forfeiture |
| NFL | 6 game suspension | 10 games | Potential contract issues |
| MLB | 80 games | 162 games (full season) | Reputation damage |
| NBA | 25 games | 55 games | Loss of pay |
| UFC/USADA | 2 years | 4 years | Fight purse forfeiture |
| NCAA | 1 year suspension | Loss of eligibility | Team penalties possible |
| CrossFit Games | 4 years | Lifetime ban | Prize/podium forfeiture |
The Bottom Line for Athletes
- Elite/Pro athletes: Don't use peptides. Testing is too advanced. Risk > reward.
- NCAA D1: High risk, especially for GH peptides. Healing peptides less tested but risky.
- Tested amateur: Moderate risk depending on testing budget. Most peptides not on basic panels.
- Untested/recreational: Zero testing risk. Only ethical considerations.
- Off-season use: Some athletes use peptides off-season and stop before testing window. Risky but common.
- "Natural" competitions: If you value the label, peptides violate spirit even if not tested.
Related Pages
- Legal Status by State
- Side Effects Truth
- Do Peptides Work?
- Self-Experimentation Guide
- Prescription Requirements