A pharmacological deep dive into the looksmaxxing world

This article is the first in a two-part series on the rise of height- and appearance-focused “blackpill” culture online. The next piece looks at how these ideas spill into mainstream spaces, while here I focus on the pharmacology behind the injectables many young men are using and what they may be doing to their bodies.

The blackpill frames dating outcomes as genetically fixed and elevates “looksmaxxing” to a central priority. It often drifts into harmful narratives and has spawned its own vocabulary, including “softmaxxing,” meaning non-surgical appearance changes. One common softmaxxing trend is the use of injectable peptides for cosmetic effects, which I examine below.

Retatrutide (LY-3437943)

Retatrutide is an investigational triple agonist that simultaneously activates GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors, producing powerful combined effects on appetite reduction. It is compared with existing drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), which act on fewer pathways. Early data suggest retatrutide may drive faster and greater weight loss, which fuels interest in looksmaxxing spaces. Pharmacodynamically, its multi-receptor activity amplifies satiety and metabolic rate, while pharmacokinetically it behaves like other long-acting peptides with slow absorption and prolonged circulation. Its long-term safety, real-world effects and appropriate medical use remain unproven. Its greater potency and efficacy in causing the injector to lose weight have lead to it becoming considered an “S-tier” peptide to the blackpillers.

GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine bound to copper)

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-carrying peptide. It acts as a signalling molecule: it helps regulate wound healing, collagen synthesis, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory pathways. By binding copper, it delivers this essential metal to enzymes involved in tissue repair and extracellular matrix remodelling. In dermatology research, GHK-Cu has been shown to modestly improve skin firmness, reduce fine lines, and support hair-follicle activity, largely through stimulating collagen, glycosaminoglycans and angiogenesis. In the looksmaxxing world it is marketed online as the “rejuvenation” peptide, with a reputation for improving skin quality and hair density, even though evidence is limited to controlled clinical use rather than unsupervised self-injection.

Melanotan-II (MT2)

Melanotan-II is a synthetic analogue of  α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), a peptide that binds to melanocortin receptors, particularly MC1R, which regulates melanin production in the skin. It increases eumelanin synthesis, leading to deeper tanning with minimal UV exposure. It also has off-target actions at other melanocortin receptors (MC3R, MC4R), which is why clinical studies report side effects such as nausea. Its use is medically unapproved and carries documented risks including uneven pigmentation, mole darkening, and potential melanoma concerns, making unsupervised use unsafe. The tan glow is not worth it.

IGF-1 LR3

IGF-1 LR3 is a long-acting, modified form of insulin-like growth factor 1. It is designed to remain active in the bloodstream for longer by binding less tightly to IGF-binding proteins. It amplifies the IGF-1 signalling pathway, where binding to the IGF-1 receptor activates PI3K–Akt and MAPK/ERK cascades, promoting protein synthesis and muscle growth. In looksmaxxing spaces, it is used to accelerate muscle gains and improve physique, especially when the user does not want to deal with the side effects and constant examination of blood levels that exogenous testosterone gives you (although they still reiterate “test is best”). Overstimulation carries serious risks like tissue overgrowth and potential tumour promotion, making unsupervised use medically unsafe.