The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will reportedly weigh easing restrictions on peptides in anticipated talks.

The meeting, which is expected to be held in July, will discuss relaxing limits on more than a half dozen peptide injections.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids — the building blocks of proteins — that play key roles in biological functions, according to the National Institutes of Health. Peptide drugs are lab-made versions of natural molecules in the body that are designed to mimic or influence biological signals to treat disease, experts say.

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In a federal notice released Wednesday, the FDA identified these drugs — used for conditions ranging from insomnia to obesity — for potential inclusion on a list of substances that can be safely compounded by pharmacies.

This follows Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to deregulate peptides, which he’s spoken about publicly, although most peptides have not been reviewed for safety by the FDA.

Kennedy has discussed using the substances for personal injuries. In a recent interview on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, he stated that he’s a “big fan of peptides.”

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The HHS secretary mentioned that he’s “very anxious” to making some peptides “more accessible.”

“My hope is that they will get moved to a place where people have access from ethical suppliers,” Kennedy said, alluding to the FDA taking action.

What to know about peptides

Peptides have gained popularity among wellness influencers and fitness gurus as a means of building muscle, healing injuries or appearing younger, the AP reported.

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Peptides act like a signal to hormones and the human body. Similar to how GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists), such as Ozempic, suppress appetite and trigger weight loss, peptides can signal other functions, like the release of growth hormones.

Certain peptides up for review by the FDA, like BPC-157, are marketed for tendon healing, gut healing (in cases like ulcerative colitis), injury recovery and inflammation reduction, although the FDA has warned about the risk of unapproved peptide treatments.

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The FDA wrote in a February advisory that “compounded drugs should only be used in patients whose medical needs cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug.”

“Patients should obtain a prescription from their doctor and fill the prescription at a state-licensed pharmacy,” the agency wrote.

The current peptide market has been referred to as the “Wild West” due to lack of regulation. In an interview with AP, Dr. Peter Lurie, a former FDA official who now leads the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, D.C., commented that “the Wild West is about to become wilder.”

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“I don’t see why one would take the path of proper drug approval if there is now this less rigorous, alternative path to market,” he said.

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Under the Biden administration, the FDA added nearly 20 peptides to a list of substances that should not be produced by compounding pharmacies, according to the AP.

The panel of pharmacy advisers at the time noted that the peptides did not meet criteria for safety.

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Sleeping with, or without, a pillow may have a sneaky impact on your health.

New research suggests that skipping the pillow could help prevent the development of glaucoma, an eye disease that damages the optic nerve and can cause vision loss or blindness.

Glaucoma can be caused by elevated eye pressure, thinning of the optic nerve or fluid buildup, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation.

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The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, found that eye pressure was higher in glaucoma patients who slept with two pillows compared to lying flat. Blood flow to the eye decreased in the high-pillow position.

This may occur due to the neck bending forward, compressing the veins, the authors suggested. Glaucoma patients may benefit from avoiding sleep postures that put the neck in this position, they concluded.

Dr. William Lu, medical director at Dreem Health, who was not involved in the study, called these findings “interesting and important.”

“It highlights how something as simple as sleep posture can influence intra-ocular pressure in people with glaucoma,” the San Francisco-based expert told Fox News Digital.

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“That said, this is still early research, and it doesn’t mean pillows are inherently harmful – it’s more about how they’re used and the degree of elevation.”

The key takeaway is “balance and personalization,” Lu said. Most people don’t need to eliminate pillows, but should avoid “extreme positions,” such as sleeping with the head sharply elevated or with the neck bent at an awkward angle, he noted.

Sleeping without a pillow can help promote a more neutral neck alignment for some people, especially those who sleep on their backs, according to Lu.

“That can reduce strain on the cervical spine and may improve comfort or reduce morning stiffness,” he said. “In certain cases, it may also reduce pressure points that come from overly thick or unsupportive pillows.”

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Going pillow-free isn’t ideal for side sleepers, who often need a pillow to keep the head aligned with the spine, Lu added.

“Without one, the neck can tilt downward and create strain over time,” he said. “For others, skipping a pillow can worsen snoring or airway positioning, and people with existing neck or shoulder issues may actually feel worse without proper support.”

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For those who have glaucoma or are at higher risk, Lu recommends discussing sleep posture with a healthcare provider and aiming for a position that keeps the head and neck aligned without excessive elevation.

“Small adjustments in sleep setup can be a simple but meaningful way to support overall health,” he said.

In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Saema Tahir, a board-certified sleep disorder specialist in New York City, said these findings align with prior research showing that “how you elevate your head matters.”

“Elevating the head of the bed itself can reduce eye pressure, but using multiple pillows may not have the same effect – and could even be counterproductive in some cases,” she said.

Tahir stressed that there is “very limited high-quality evidence” showing health benefits from sleeping without a pillow.

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“What matters most is maintaining proper alignment of the cervical spine, and that varies from person to person,” she said. “Without adequate support, especially for side sleepers, the neck can fall out of alignment.”

This can manifest as neck pain and stiffness, morning headaches, or shoulder and arm discomfort.

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“So, for many people, especially side sleepers, skipping a pillow can actually make sleep quality worse,” the expert said.

“For those with glaucoma or at risk should avoid sleeping face-down with pressure on the eyes and should be cautious with very high or stacked pillows … Be mindful of side sleeping, as the lower eye can experience higher pressure.”