Issue · May 2026New this week: evidence-first longevity readsThe newsletter — one essay, Sunday morningsArchive access — every article, free to readPodcast coming soon — NotebookLM sessionsLetters from readers — reply to any emailIssue · May 2026New this week: evidence-first longevity readsThe newsletter — one essay, Sunday morningsArchive access — every article, free to readPodcast coming soon — NotebookLM sessionsLetters from readers — reply to any email

Health.

Evidence-led reading on health from the HL Benefits desk. Long reads, careful guides, and the boring-but-true positions the research keeps settling on.

In this section
186longreads
Newest
May 272026
Section since
2016archive
Reading time
~8min average
This week's longread

Peptides That Restore Sleep for Women Over 45 (When Melatonin Stops Working)

When melatonin stops working after 45, these peptides target the real causes of perimenopausal insomnia: hormonal shifts, cortisol, and broken sleep architecture.

Read the articleHL Benefits Editorial · May 27, 2026
Peptides That Restore Sleep for Women Over 45 (When Melatonin Stops Working)Photograph · HL Benefits
§ 01

The latest, in long form.

Browse all 186
The 5 Peptides Quietly Replacing HRT for Perimenopausal Women
CoverHealth

The 5 Peptides Quietly Replacing HRT for Perimenopausal Women

Five peptides are gaining traction as targeted alternatives to HRT for perimenopausal symptoms. Only one has FDA approval.

May 26
Peptides for Hot Flashes: What Kisspeptin Research Just Revealed
Health

Peptides for Hot Flashes: What Kisspeptin Research Just Revealed

Kisspeptin research revealed why hot flashes happen. But the treatment targets neurokinin B, not kisspeptin itself. Here's what the science actually shows.

May 25
How Much Does Peptide Therapy Really Cost in 2026? A No-BS Pricing Breakdown
Health

How Much Does Peptide Therapy Really Cost in 2026? A No-BS Pricing Breakdown

Peptide therapy costs $150 to $1,200 per month in 2026. We break down actual prices by category, channel, and hidden fees.

May 23
Peptide Side Effects: The 12 Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
Health

Peptide Side Effects: The 12 Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Twelve peptide side effects organized by severity: which to monitor, which need a same-day doctor call, and which mean go to the ER.

May 23
From the editorMay letterHL Benefits MagazineHL Benefits Editorial Team

We started this section because the conversation about health had become unbearable — too loud, too certain, too often selling something. The boring middle — what the evidence actually supports, repeated across decades, written without a brand to defend — is not a position you can monetize, but it is the position the research keeps quietly settling on.

§ 02

Companion sections.

All sections →
72 articles · ongoing

Food & Nutrition

A companion section to health, with its own evidence-led reading list.

Read the section
35 articles · ongoing

Weight Loss

A companion section to health, with its own evidence-led reading list.

Read the section
33 articles · ongoing

Fitness

A companion section to health, with its own evidence-led reading list.

Read the section
§ 03

Definitive guides.

All guides →
Online Peptide Clinics: Which Ones Are Legit (and Which Ones to Run From)
Guide

Online Peptide Clinics: Which Ones Are Legit (and Which Ones to Run From)

The FDA has sent thousands of warning letters to peptide sellers. Here's how to tell a legitimate clinic from one selling mystery powder.

May 22
Kisspeptin: The Peptide That Could Replace Testosterone Therapy for Low Libido
Guide

Kisspeptin: The Peptide That Could Replace Testosterone Therapy for Low Libido

An evidence-led look at kisspeptin: the upstream HPG-axis stimulator behind a 56% increase in penile rigidity in Imperial College London's HSDD trials, why it could (in theory) preserve fertility…

May 18
A note on evidence

A claim about health is not a study. A study is not a meta-analysis. A meta-analysis is not a guideline. The article doesn't fit on a label.

HL Benefits Editorial Team · on the standards we hold ourselves to
§ 04

On our desk this week.

More from the desk →
§ 05

Quick reads.

All 186
01

The 7 Red Flags of a Sketchy Peptide Vendor (Spot Them Before You Inject)

Seven signs a peptide vendor isn't worth your trust, backed by FDA enforcement data and…

May 11
02

The Peptide Stack That Fixed Chronic Tendinitis When Cortisone Couldn't

Cortisone keeps failing chronic tendinopathy. Here is the BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, and…

May 10
03

Is BPC-157 Safe? A Full Risk Breakdown for First-Time Users

BPC-157 safety is not settled. Learn what human studies, cancer concerns, and…

May 3
04

BPC-157 Dosage Guide: How Much, How Often, and When to Stop

BPC-157 has no approved human dose. Learn what common ranges, cycle lengths, and stop…

May 2
05

BPC-157 Oral vs. Injection: Which Form Actually Works for Joint Repair?

Oral BPC-157 is convenient and injectable BPC-157 is more targeted, but neither route is…

May 1
06

How Long Should You Stay on Weight Loss Peptides? The Answer Is Not "Forever"

STEP 1, STEP 4 and SURMOUNT-4 show what really happens when patients stop GLP-1…

May 1
07

BPC-157: Why the Internet Is Calling It the 'Wolverine Peptide'

BPC-157 picked up a Marvel-superhero nickname, a podcast spotlight, and an FDA panel…

May 1
08

BPC-157 for Gut Healing: The Research That Has Functional Medicine Doctors Excited

The FDA is reconsidering BPC-157 for ulcerative colitis. Here's the gut-specific…

Apr 30
§ 06

From the archive.

All 186
Sauna Blanket: Infrared Heat Therapy at Home Without a Full Sauna
Health

Sauna Blanket: Infrared Heat Therapy at Home Without a Full Sauna

Apr 20
Precision Diagnostics: Biomarker Testing, Blood Panels, and At-Home Health Screening
Health

Precision Diagnostics: Biomarker Testing, Blood Panels, and At-Home Health Screening

Apr 19
PFAS (Forever Chemicals) in Drinking Water: Health Risks and How to Filter Them Out
Health

PFAS (Forever Chemicals) in Drinking Water: Health Risks and How to Filter Them Out

Apr 18
Pet Supplements: CBD, Probiotics, and Joint Support for Dogs and Cats
Health

Pet Supplements: CBD, Probiotics, and Joint Support for Dogs and Cats

Apr 17
PFAS in Cookware, Food Packaging, and Personal Care: How to Reduce Your Exposure
Health

PFAS in Cookware, Food Packaging, and Personal Care: How to Reduce Your Exposure

PFAS forever chemicals lurk in nonstick pans, food wrappers, and cosmetics. Here's what the research says and how to reduce your exposure.

Apr 17
Perimenopause Wearables and Hormone Tracking Tech for Women
Health

Perimenopause Wearables and Hormone Tracking Tech for Women

New wearables and hormone monitors are giving women real data about perimenopause. Here is what works, what the research supports, and how to choose.

Apr 16
Ozempic and Muscle Preservation: How to Maintain Lean Mass on GLP-1 Drugs
Health

Ozempic and Muscle Preservation: How to Maintain Lean Mass on GLP-1 Drugs

GLP-1 drugs can cause 25-40% of weight lost to come from lean tissue. Resistance training and protein optimization can cut that to under 10%.

Apr 15
Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN): Off-Label Uses for Autoimmune Disease, Pain, and Weight Loss
Health

Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN): Off-Label Uses for Autoimmune Disease, Pain, and Weight Loss

A research-grounded look at what LDN can and can't do for autoimmune conditions, chronic pain, and weight loss.

Apr 14
Gummy Supplements: Are They as Effective as Capsules? The Evidence Breakdown
Health

Gummy Supplements: Are They as Effective as Capsules? The Evidence Breakdown

Gummy vitamins outsell capsules, but clinical evidence shows they fall short for iron, creatine, and calcium while matching or beating tablets for vitamin D.

Apr 13
GLP-1 Drugs and Addiction: The Unexpected Effect on Alcohol, Smoking, and Cravings
Health

GLP-1 Drugs and Addiction: The Unexpected Effect on Alcohol, Smoking, and Cravings

Patients on GLP-1 drugs report losing interest in alcohol and cigarettes. A study of 606,000 veterans found 50% fewer substance-related deaths among GLP-1 users.

Apr 12

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