Bingo Rimér travels to Zurich for experimental peptide injections

Health influencer Bingo Rimér has travelled to Zurich for injections of experimental peptides that cannot be sold in Sweden, SVT reports. “I take responsibility for testing,” he says in the programme “Bingo för evigt”.

Experimental injectable peptides are promoted on social media with claims that they can increase muscle growth and speed recovery. The injections have been described as a trend among young people.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can act as signalling molecules between cells. Several established medicines, including insulin and some weight-loss drugs, are based on peptides. The Swedish Medical Products Agency says injectable peptides are generally considered medicines and cannot be sold to consumers without approval.

Jonas Bergquist, a professor of analytical chemistry at Uppsala University, has analysed peptides seized on their way to Swedish buyers. He told the programme that some substances found were biologically active but had a different function from the one advertised, and could have serious consequences. He said some could potentially stimulate cancer growth.

The agency has warned about risks and says it is reviewing the issue. “Our hope is to ensure that these types of products are not sold on the Swedish market,” said Tomas Nilsson, an agency investigator.