Una Emilsdóttir, a physician specializing in occupational and environmental health, warns that it is serious for young people to inject themselves with illegal peptides. Despite some potential benefits, there is still much to learn about the overall impacts these substances have on the body. Unregulated and potentially toxic peptides have been reported, which could cause rapid cancer growth and bone deformities in the face.

In a recent interview, Una emphasized the danger of young people relying on substances bought illegally without knowledge of their ingredients or origins. She highlighted that when these are injected into the body, the effects can be amplified significantly. Her comments come in light of a report from RÚV, where it was revealed that someone sought help from a poison control center after self-administering peptides.

This alarming trend points to a growing need for discussions among parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals about the risks of illegal substance use among youth, particularly concerning the allure of quick fixes for body image issues. The implications for public health are vast, as many young individuals may not be fully aware of the potential consequences of using unregulated substances on their physical health.