Amanda Kahn, a board-certified internist based in New York, has emerged as a prominent figure in a growing movement that uses peptides—short chains of amino acids that act as signaling molecules in the body—to address ageing and overall health among affluent patients. Known colloquially as the “Peptide Princess of Park Avenue,” Kahn runs a concierge practice dedicated to longevity medicine, which she launched in 2023. Her clientele includes hedge fund managers, designers, and other wealthy individuals seeking alternatives to conventional medical approaches focused on anti-ageing, wellness, and chronic disease prevention.
Peptides naturally occur in the body and have long been used in pharmaceutical treatments, with insulin being the first peptide chemically synthesised for widespread medical use since the 1920s. More recently, peptides such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, exemplified by drugs like Ozempic for weight loss, have gained mainstream attention. However, Kahn’s approach extends into the practice of “stacking,” where multiple peptides are combined to target various biological functions such as tissue regeneration, inflammation reduction, hormone production, and metabolic enhancement. These peptides are typically administered via subcutaneous injections but can also be delivered intravenously, nasally, or through topical applications.
Among the best-known peptide combinations is the “Wolverine” stack, which includes BPC-157 and TB-500, compounds sought for their purported effects on accelerating soft tissue and ligament repair, though not all these peptides have received regulatory approval. While some peptides have longstanding approval from authorities like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), others, including BPC-157, remain unapproved for human use in the United States, though possessing a somewhat ambiguous legal status due to regulations focusing on marketing rather than medical practice itself.
Kahn emphasizes patient safety and thorough monitoring in her practice, prescribing peptide therapies only when medically appropriate and supported by ongoing biomarker evaluations and clinical assessments. Her annual fee is approximately $50,000, excluding the cost of peptides and diagnostic imaging. Many of her patients prefer this model over conventional insurance-based care, which they perceive as expensive and insufficiently comprehensive for their wellness goals.
The patient demographic is diverse, ranging from women in their 40s to 60s concerned with age-related risks like Alzheimer’s disease to former athletes managing damaged joints and busy professionals seeking sustained energy and youthful vitality. Celebrity facialist Iván Pol, known for his work with clients such as Salma Hayek and Kim Kardashian, credits a personalized peptide regimen for restoring his body to a healthier state amid demanding work hours.
Internationally, regulations regarding peptides vary. In the United Kingdom and Europe, some unlicensed peptide therapies can be prescribed under specific circumstances, with access differing among member states. Americans residing abroad, such as Marisa and Chris Coulson in Mallorca, source peptides like GHK-Cu from European pharmacies under medical guidance, highlighting a growing but still niche global interest.
Despite the rapid growth of the peptide therapeutics market—estimated at around $141 billion in 2025 and expected to rise to nearly $164 billion this year—concerns remain about accessibility and safety. The FDA has increased enforcement against clinics and pharmacies marketing unapproved peptides without sufficient oversight. In contrast, lower-cost telehealth platforms have expanded access but with variable quality in patient monitoring. Additionally, some experts caution about the societal and psychological implications of peptide use among wealthy individuals seeking biohacking strategies for wellness and aesthetic enhancement.
Kahn acknowledges the complexity and evolving nature of the peptide field, often encountering patients who have experimented with unregulated or self-administered treatments before seeking professional care. She stresses that effective peptide therapy depends on numerous factors, including sourcing, dosage, treatment duration, and concurrent medical testing, underscoring the importance of expert guidance in a space that remains, by her assessment, “in many ways, a mess.”