Insights
Patient Guides for TRT, Peptides and Medical Cannabis
Clear answers to the questions our North Dakota and Minnesota patients ask most. Every guide links to the official and clinical sources behind it.
Guides
Peptide Therapy Claims: What Patients Should Ask About Evidence and Safety
Some peptides are FDA-approved medicines. Many sold online for wellness are not. Here are the questions to ask before trying any peptide.
Read the guideCompounded Peptides and the FDA: What Approval Means
FDA-approved, compounded and research use only are very different labels. Here is what each means for peptides and how to judge a product.
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Questions
Common Questions
Short answers to go with the guides. Still unsure? Call Will at (218) 274-4500.
See every questionWhat are peptides?
Short chains of amino acids that act as signals in the body. Some are long-established medicines, such as insulin and the GLP-1 drugs used for diabetes and weight. Many products sold online as “peptides” are not approved for any use.
Which peptides are FDA-approved?
Insulin, GLP-1 medicines like semaglutide and tirzepatide, and a few others are approved for specific conditions. Products such as BPC-157, ipamorelin and CJC-1295 are not approved for any use, and the FDA has raised safety concerns about compounding them.
Do you sell or prescribe peptides?
We start with a consultation. If a prescription product is appropriate for you and legally available from a licensed pharmacy, Dr. Ewals will explain it. We don't sell research chemicals or products labelled “not for human use.”
Are peptides safe?
It depends on the product. Approved medicines have known risks and quality control. Unapproved products may contain the wrong dose, contaminants or nothing at all, and their long-term effects are unknown. Dr. Ewals will tell you plainly what the evidence does and doesn't show.
What does a peptide consultation cost?
$200. A $50 deposit holds your appointment, and the rest is due before your visit. HSA/FSA accepted; whether the expense qualifies depends on your plan.
Will peptides help me lose weight or build muscle?
Some approved medicines, like the GLP-1 drugs, have strong evidence for weight loss. For most other peptides marketed for muscle, recovery or anti-aging, the evidence in people is thin or missing. We won't promise results the research doesn't support.
I bought a peptide online. Can you check it?
Bring it or a photo of the label. Dr. Ewals can tell you what the product claims to be, what's known about it and the risks. We can't vouch for the contents of unregulated products.
Are peptides legal?
Prescription peptide medicines are legal with a valid prescription. Products sold “for research use only” aren't approved for people, and pharmacies are restricted from compounding several of them. Buying them for personal use puts you outside any safety net.
Do I need labs before a peptide consultation?
Not always. Bring any recent lab results and a list of your medicines; Dr. Ewals will tell you if more testing would help.
Is this the same as testosterone therapy?
No. They're separate consultations. Some men ask about both, and Dr. Ewals can discuss how they relate, but neither is a shortcut to the other.
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