Peptides in Professional Sports: Doping Regulations
**Every major professional sports league in North America bans peptide hormones and growth hormone secretagogues.
Every major professional sports league in North America bans peptide hormones and growth hormone secretagogues. But the details — how testing works, what triggers a suspension, how long the ban lasts, and how aggressively leagues pursue enforcement — vary dramatically from one organization to the next. The NFL collects more than 14,000 samples per year. The NBA tests six times per season. The UFC recently overhauled its entire anti-doping structure after a public falling-out with USADA over peptide policy.
This guide covers the peptide-specific doping regulations for the NFL, NBA, MLB, UFC, and Olympic sports, along with real cases, detection methods, and what athletes need to know about legal alternatives.
Table of Contents
- Why Peptides Matter in Professional Sports
- NFL: The Most Tested League
- MLB: Blood Testing and Harsh Escalation
- NBA: Lighter Testing, Steep Penalties
- UFC: A New Anti-Doping Era
- Olympic and International Sports
- How Peptide Testing Works
- Detection Windows for Common Peptides
- Notable Doping Cases Involving Peptides
- Legal Peptide Alternatives for Athletes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Bottom Line
- References
Why Peptides Matter in Professional Sports
Peptides have become a focal point in sports anti-doping for one reason: they work through the body's own systems. Unlike synthetic steroids, which introduce exogenous hormones, peptides like growth hormone secretagogues stimulate the athlete's pituitary gland to produce more growth hormone naturally. Growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs) like GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, secretagogues like ipamorelin and MK-677, and tissue-repair peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500 have become common in wellness clinics that serve professional athletes.
The problem is straightforward: every one of these substances is banned across every league that follows WADA guidelines, and most U.S. professional leagues maintain their own prohibited lists that are equally restrictive for peptide hormones.
A 2024 study found that 2.2% of U.S. athletes self-reported using anabolic steroids, peptide hormones, or blood manipulation. The actual number is almost certainly higher — self-reported doping data consistently underestimates real prevalence.
NFL: The Most Tested League
The NFL's Performance-Enhancing Substances (PES) policy is the most extensive testing program among the four major North American professional sports leagues.
Testing Volume and Method
The NFL conducts more than 14,000 tests annually — more than any other professional sports league. Testing is random, unannounced, and runs year-round, including the off-season. Both urine and blood samples are collected. HGH blood testing was agreed to as part of the 2011 collective bargaining agreement, though actual HGH testing didn't begin until 2014.
What's Banned
The NFL's prohibited substance list covers all peptide hormones, growth factors, and related substances. This includes growth hormone, growth hormone-releasing factors (CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin), all GHRPs (GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin), growth hormone secretagogues (ipamorelin, ibutamoren/MK-677), and growth hormone fragments (AOD-9604, hGH 176-191).
Penalties
A first violation results in a six-game suspension (without pay). A second violation leads to a 17-game suspension (a full regular season). A third violation carries a minimum two-year ban from the NFL. Players can appeal through the collectively bargained process.
The Peyton Manning Case
The most high-profile peptide-adjacent case in NFL history involved Peyton Manning. A 2015 Al Jazeera documentary alleged that HGH had been shipped to Manning's home, addressed to his wife, while he recovered from a severe neck injury in 2011. Manning called the report "complete trash, garbage" and denied all allegations. After a seven-month investigation, the NFL found "no credible evidence" that Manning used HGH or other prohibited substances. However, the investigation was limited — the NFL lacks subpoena power and cannot compel witnesses to testify.
MLB: Blood Testing and Harsh Escalation
Major League Baseball runs one of the most rigorous anti-doping programs in professional sports, shaped by the steroid era that nearly destroyed the sport's credibility in the 2000s.
Testing Program
MLB conducts random, unannounced testing throughout the year, including the off-season. In 2024, the league conducted 11,609 tests, including 2,154 blood samples specifically analyzed for human growth hormone. Players can be tested at the ballpark, at home, or at spring training. MLB is one of the few U.S. leagues that includes routine blood testing, which is more effective than urine testing at detecting HGH.
Blood-based HGH testing was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) and the 2022 lockout. It resumed during the 2022 season, with none of the 1,027 blood samples testing positive for HGH that year.
What's Banned
MLB's banned list explicitly names: human growth hormone (hGH), including all fragments (AOD-9604, hGH 176-191), growth hormone-releasing factors including GHRHs (CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin), growth hormone secretagogues (ghrelin, ibutamoren/MK-677, ipamorelin), GH-releasing peptides (GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin, alexamorelin), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.
Penalties
MLB's escalation is steep:
- First offense: 80-game suspension (roughly half a season)
- Second offense: 162-game suspension (a full season)
- Third offense: Lifetime ban from Major League Baseball
Recent Peptide-Related Cases
Carlos Martinez (2022): The former Cardinals All-Star was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for ibutamoren, a growth hormone secretagogue. Martinez was pitching in the minor leagues at the time.
Nate Schierholtz (2022): The veteran outfielder received an 80-game suspension for testing positive for ibutamoren under the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Jurickson Profar (2025): The Atlanta Braves outfielder was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that stimulates testosterone production. Profar had signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Braves just months earlier.
NBA: Lighter Testing, Steep Penalties
The NBA's anti-doping testing program is less intensive than the NFL or MLB, but the consequences for getting caught are severe.
Testing Program
NBA players are subject to random testing six times during the season and off-season combined. The league tests for steroids, HGH, and stimulants, with separate protocols for recreational substances.
Penalties
- First offense: 25-game suspension
- Second offense: 55-game suspension
- Third offense: Lifetime ban from the league
The Tristan Thompson Case
The most prominent NBA peptide case involved Tristan Thompson, who was suspended after testing positive for ibutamoren (MK-677) and LGD-4033 (a SARM). Ibutamoren functions as a growth hormone secretagogue — it signals the pituitary gland to release more growth hormone. Thompson's case illustrated how athletes can face sanctions for substances they may have encountered through wellness or supplement channels rather than traditional steroid use.
Other NBA players suspended for growth hormone-related substances include Jodie Meeks (Washington Wizards) and John Collins (Atlanta Hawks), both sanctioned for growth hormone secretagogue violations.
UFC: A New Anti-Doping Era
The UFC's anti-doping framework underwent a seismic shift in late 2023, and peptides were at the center of the controversy.
The USADA Split
From 2015 to 2023, the UFC partnered with USADA for anti-doping enforcement. During that period, USADA conducted more than 27,000 tests on UFC fighters. The partnership ended in late 2023, partly over disagreements about peptide policy. In their parting statement, USADA noted the relationship became "untenable" because the UFC wanted to allow fighters to use "experimental, unapproved peptides or testosterone for healing or injuries simply to get back in the Octagon."
The New Structure (2024–Present)
Starting January 1, 2024, the UFC launched the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) program with three components:
- Sample collection by Drug Free Sport International (DFSI), which has over 5,000 collection personnel worldwide and serves the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA, and FIFA
- Lab analysis by the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL), a WADA-accredited facility led by Dr. Daniel Eichner
- Administration and sanctioning by CSAD, which maintains independent decision-making authority over suspensions and violations
Testing remains unannounced, 365 days per year, 24 hours a day. The prohibited substances list "generally" mirrors the WADA list, including all peptide hormones and growth hormone secretagogues.
Notable UFC Peptide Cases
David Branch: Suspended for two years after testing positive for ipamorelin in an out-of-competition sample.
C.B. Dollaway: Suspended for two years for testing positive for GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, among other substances. Dollaway claimed the substances entered his system during stem cell treatments in Mexico — an explanation that did not reduce his sanction.
Cortney Casey: Received a four-month suspension after self-reporting use of BPC-157. She did not actually test positive — the sanction came from the voluntary disclosure alone.
TJ Dillashaw: Suspended for two years after testing positive for EPO (erythropoietin), a peptide hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. Dillashaw relinquished the UFC bantamweight title and did not contest the finding.
The Peptide Controversy Continues
The peptide issue remains contentious in the UFC. In early 2026, heavyweight Derrick Lewis claimed the UFC had been providing him with "great peptides" ahead of UFC 324. UFC VP of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitzky quickly clarified that the organization had provided "certified injectable compounds," not peptides. The episode highlighted the ongoing tension between the sport's interest in fighter recovery and anti-doping obligations.
Olympic and International Sports
Olympic athletes face the strictest peptide regulations of any competitive framework, governed directly by WADA's Prohibited List.
Key differences from professional leagues:
- Sanctions are longer: A first offense for a non-specified substance (which includes most peptides) carries a four-year ban — double the standard MLB penalty
- Sample storage: Olympic samples are stored for up to 10 years and can be retested with improved methods
- Testing is year-round and managed by the International Testing Agency (ITA) for Olympic events
- No union negotiations: Unlike professional leagues, Olympic anti-doping rules are not subject to collective bargaining. Athletes accept WADA rules as a condition of eligibility
For a detailed breakdown of WADA categories and the TUE process, see our companion guide: Peptides and WADA: Anti-Doping Rules Every Athlete Needs to Know.
How Peptide Testing Works
Professional sports anti-doping testing has evolved well beyond simple urine screens. Here's how modern testing catches peptide users.
Initial Screening
Most testing programs begin with immunoassay-based screening — a rapid technique that flags suspicious samples for further analysis. This step is designed for speed and sensitivity, not confirmation. Any positive flag triggers the confirmatory process.
Confirmatory Testing: LC-MS/MS
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the gold standard for peptide detection. The technique separates molecules by size and charge, then fragments them to create a molecular fingerprint. Modern LC-MS/MS can detect synthetic peptides at concentrations of parts per billion — meaning even micro-doses of GHRP-2, ipamorelin, or BPC-157 can be identified.
Blood Testing for HGH
Urine testing alone cannot reliably detect exogenous growth hormone. That's why MLB, the NFL, and the new UFC program all include blood collection. Two complementary approaches exist:
- Isoform test: Distinguishes between natural and recombinant HGH based on molecular isoform ratios
- Biomarker test: Measures IGF-1 and P-III-NP (procollagen type III N-terminal propeptide), which change predictably when exogenous GH is used
The Athlete Biological Passport
Rather than detecting specific substances, the ABP tracks biological markers over time. For growth hormone, the relevant markers include hematological profiles and endocrine parameters. Sudden shifts in an athlete's biological baseline can trigger targeted testing or constitute an anti-doping rule violation on their own.
Detection Windows for Common Peptides
Detection windows are approximate and vary by dose, frequency of use, individual metabolism, and testing sensitivity. Labs continue to develop more sensitive methods, so these windows may expand.
| Peptide | Approximate Detection Window | Sample Type |
|---|---|---|
| GHRP-2 | 24–48 hours | Urine |
| GHRP-6 | 24–48 hours | Urine |
| Ipamorelin | 24–72 hours | Urine |
| CJC-1295 (no DAC) | 2–4 days | Urine/Blood |
| CJC-1295 with DAC | 7–14 days | Urine/Blood |
| MK-677 (ibutamoren) | 7–14+ days | Urine |
| BPC-157 | Under study; detectable via metabolites | Urine |
| TB-500 | Under study | Urine/Blood |
| HGH (injected) | 24–36 hours (isoform); weeks (biomarker) | Blood |
| EPO | 2–3 days (urine); weeks (ABP) | Urine/Blood |
Athletes should not treat these windows as a timing guide. Anti-doping labs invest heavily in extending detection periods, and what was undetectable three years ago may be easily caught today. Stored samples can be retested for years with newer methods.
Notable Doping Cases Involving Peptides
The Biogenesis Scandal (MLB, 2013)
While primarily a testosterone and steroid case, the Biogenesis scandal — centered on a South Florida anti-aging clinic — exposed how sports medicine clinics serve as conduits for prohibited substances, including growth hormone and peptides. Alex Rodriguez received a 211-game suspension (reduced to 162 on appeal). The scandal led MLB to significantly tighten its testing protocols.
The Australian Peptides Crisis (NRL, 2013)
Australian rugby league was rocked when allegations surfaced that the Cronulla Sharks and other NRL teams had been administering peptides to players. Player Jon Mannah, who had been receiving growth hormone secretagogues reportedly provided by team staff, died of Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 23. While a direct causal link was not established, the case raised serious concerns about the safety of GH secretagogues administered without adequate medical oversight.
Operation Puerto (Cycling, 2006–2013)
Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes ran a sophisticated doping network that supplied EPO and growth hormone to professional cyclists and athletes from other sports. The case demonstrated how peptide hormone doping often operates through organized medical networks rather than individual athletes acting alone.
Legal Peptide Alternatives for Athletes
For athletes who want to optimize recovery and performance without risking a positive test, several legal approaches exist.
FDA-Approved and Permitted Supplements
- Creatine monohydrate: Well-studied, legal in all professional leagues, supported by strong evidence for strength and recovery
- Protein supplements (whey, casein, collagen): Legal and effective for muscle protein synthesis. Collagen peptides in food-grade supplements are not banned
- Beta-alanine and L-citrulline: Legal amino acids with evidence supporting performance benefits
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Anti-inflammatory effects without regulatory risk
- Vitamin D and magnesium: Commonly deficient in athletes; supplementation supports recovery
Third-Party Certified Supplements
To avoid contaminated supplements — a legitimate risk that has triggered dozens of accidental doping violations — athletes should use products certified by:
- NSF Certified for Sport: Tests for more than 280 banned substances
- Informed Sport: Screens every batch for prohibited substances
- BSCG (Banned Substances Control Group): Independent testing for World Anti-Doping Code compliance
Recovery Modalities
Non-pharmacological recovery strategies that carry zero doping risk:
- Cold water immersion and contrast therapy
- Compression therapy
- Sleep optimization (8–10 hours for elite athletes)
- Active recovery protocols
- Sports massage and manual therapy
For a full guide to peptides in athletic performance, including which substances are and aren't permitted, see our detailed breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which professional league has the strictest peptide testing?
Olympic sports under WADA have the strictest rules — four-year bans, 10-year sample storage, and year-round testing. Among U.S. professional leagues, the NFL conducts the most tests (14,000+ per year), but MLB's inclusion of routine blood testing may be more effective at catching growth hormone users specifically.
Can athletes use BPC-157 for injury recovery?
No. BPC-157 is banned under both WADA rules and the substance policies of the NFL, MLB, NBA, and UFC. Even self-reporting use of BPC-157 can result in a suspension, as UFC fighter Cortney Casey learned.
What happens if a contaminated supplement causes a positive test?
Athletes bear strict liability for any prohibited substance found in their system. A contaminated supplement explanation may reduce the length of a ban, but it won't eliminate it. This is why third-party certified supplements are strongly recommended for competitive athletes.
Do standard workplace drug tests detect peptides?
No. Standard employment drug tests screen for common recreational drugs (cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids). They do not test for peptides, growth hormone, or performance-enhancing substances. Only targeted sports anti-doping tests detect these compounds.
Has any athlete successfully obtained a TUE for a peptide?
TUEs for FDA-approved peptides (like semaglutide for diabetes) are theoretically possible but rare. For research peptides like BPC-157, TB-500, or GHRPs, a TUE is functionally impossible because these substances have no approved medical use — a prerequisite for TUE approval.
The Bottom Line
Professional sports peptide regulations share a common thread: all peptide hormones, growth hormone secretagogues, and tissue-repair peptides are prohibited, and the consequences of a positive test range from multi-game suspensions to lifetime bans. The specifics — testing frequency, penalty structures, and enforcement culture — vary by league.
What's changed in recent years is not the rules themselves but the testing technology and the regulatory politics. The UFC's split with USADA over peptide policy exposed a tension that exists across all professional sports: athletes want faster recovery, teams want healthier rosters, and anti-doping agencies draw lines that don't always align with emerging sports medicine practices.
For athletes navigating these rules, the path is narrow but clear. Use only certified supplements. Consult your league's substance database before taking anything. If injury recovery is the goal, work with sports medicine professionals who understand your league's anti-doping rules — not wellness clinics that may recommend substances that will end your season or your career.
For more on international anti-doping rules, see our guides on WADA prohibited peptides and global peptide legality.
References
- World Anti-Doping Agency. "2026 Prohibited List." WADA. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list
- U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. "BPC-157: Experimental Peptide Creates Risk for Athletes." USADA. https://www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/bpc-157-peptide-prohibited/
- USADA. "Statement: UFC and USADA End Program Agreement." https://www.usada.org/statement/ufc-usada-end-program-agreement/
- UFC. "UFC Announces Details of New Anti-Doping Program." https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-announces-details-new-anti-doping-program
- UFC Anti-Doping. "Test History 2026." https://ufcantidoping.com/tests
- ESPN. "NFL Concludes Peyton Manning Didn't Use HGH, Any Other PEDs." https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17139406/nfl-concludes-peyton-manning-use-hgh-other-peds
- MiLB.com. "Schierholtz Suspended for Using Ibutamoren." https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-193805612
- MLB.com. "MLB, MLBPA Release Annual Drug Testing Results (2024)." https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-mlbpa-drug-testing-results-2024
- ESPN. "Braves' Jurickson Profar Gets 80-Game Ban for PED Violation." https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44482019/braves-jurickson-profar-gets-80-game-ban-ped-violation
- Gago Ferrero P, et al. "Synthetic Peptides in Doping Control: A Powerful Tool for an Analytical Challenge." Molecules, 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9631397/
- Bleacher Report. "Little-Known PED, Blamed in Player's Death, Is Major Threat to Anti-Doping Fight." https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1626500-little-known-ped-blamed-in-players-death-is-major-threat-to-anti-doping-fight
- CourtsKick. "How Doping Policies Differ Across Major Sporting Leagues." https://www.courtkick.com/article/how-doping-policies-differ-across-major-sporting-leagues