Sat,18th, July 2026: Dr Renae Fomiatti, Peptides and Image Enhancing Drugs; School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University

Macca and Nevena talk to Dr Renae Fomiatti Senior Research Fellow, at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) in the School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University; about Peptides and Image Enhancing Drugs;.

Peptides have exploded in popularity, fuelled by social media, fitness culture and the promise of becoming a
healthier, leaner or more youthful version of ourselves. But are they a medical breakthrough, another wellness
trend, or something more complicated? Dr Renae Fomiatti joins us to unpack both the science and the social
forces driving this phenomenon, particularly as they intersect with LGBTQIA+ communities.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that occur naturally in the body and regulate a wide range of
biological functions, including hormones, endorphins, growth factors and immune modulators. Some peptide
medicines have been rigorously tested and approved to treat conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis and
obesity. Others are sold online with claims about muscle growth, fat loss, recovery, anti-ageing or sexual
performance despite limited clinical evidence or regulatory approval.

Dr Fomiatti’s work extends beyond pharmacology into the sociology of health. Her Australian Research Council
DECRA Fellowship examines how aesthetic drugs and non-surgical cosmetic practices are reshaping
experiences of health, ageing and the body. Her broader research explores biomedicalisation—the increasing
tendency to understand and manage everyday life through medical technologies—and the consumption of
performance and image-enhancing drugs.

This provides an opportunity to discuss not only what peptides are, why so many people feel compelled to
seek biomedical solutions for appearance, performance and wellbeing, and how body ideals within some
LGBTQIA+ communities intersect with broader cultural pressures and social media influencers.

 

The post Sat,18th, July 2026: Dr Renae Fomiatti, Peptides and Image Enhancing Drugs; School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University  appeared first on Saturday Magazine.