The Dylan Gemelli Podcast

Episode #65: Inside the UNDERGROUND Research Chemical Market

Release Date: November 7, 2025
Host: Dylan Gemelli

Episode Overview

In this eye-opening solo episode, Dylan Gemelli pulls back the curtain on the often-misunderstood and shadowy world of the underground research chemical market. He explains what research chemicals like peptides, SARMs, and nootropics are, why they’re labeled “not for human consumption,” how these products are made and distributed, and the legal and ethical minefields associated with their sale and use. Dylan uses his industry experience to guide listeners through the market's risks, deceptive practices, buyer traps, and rare legitimate options, always with an emphasis on arming his audience with the facts to protect their health and wallets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Is the Underground Research Chemical Market?

• Definition:
  • Products such as peptides, SARMs, and nootropics that are technically illegal for human consumption, yet are legally sold under the guise of “research chemicals.”
  • Labeling as “not for human consumption” is primarily a legal loophole.

    “In reality, that is simply to be able to sell them legally. That does not mean they cannot be taken, so to speak.” (08:12)

• History:
  • The market has existed for much longer than most people realize; Dylan’s own introduction was back in 2011.

2. How Do Companies Stay (or Try to Stay) Legal?

• Legal Gray Area:
  • The FDA is aware but generally allows these sales unless products are explicitly marketed for human use, or specific complaints or red flags arise.
  • Companies get warning letters and compliance lists; government agencies easily track site traffic and revenues.
  • High-profile legal issues can arise if companies sell banned pharmaceuticals (e.g., HCG, Clomid, Viagra) or spike products with illegal substances.

    “If there is a direct association found with said company that they are marketing these products in that manner, then there are multitudes of things that can happen.” (10:35)

3. Product Sourcing & Manufacturing Risks

• Raw Material Chain:
  • Most raw chemicals come from China, sometimes with counterfeit certificates of analysis (COA).

    “A lot of these… Chinese places will send them a fake COA, which is a certificate of authenticity, claiming it’s one thing, and the people… here will just take their word for it.” (17:49)

  • Resellers often do not verify the authenticity or purity of what they receive.
• White Labeling:
  • Many companies use the same distributors, slap on different branding, and charge variable prices, leading customers to believe they're getting distinct products.

    “There's a good chance that they're all actually going through the same white label distributor, slapping a label on. You're getting the exact same product…” (22:15)

• Home-Brewing and Contamination Hazards:
  • Some products are compounded or bottled in unsanitary, uncontrolled home environments.

4. Tricky Marketing, Sham Review Sites, and Deception

• Fake Reviews & Endorsements:
  • Many "review" websites are paid-for advertisements or endorsements arranged between owners and companies.

    “A lot of these sites, the site owners… actually reach out to companies and… you can be featured on their website for a price… and you don't know if the reviews are true or not.” (25:40)

  • Appearances on major media sites like Men's Journal or GQ are often paid content.
  • Always read the fine print to spot paid promotions.
• Influencer Promotions:
  • Influencers themselves can face legal trouble for promoting these products “for human use.”

5. Hidden Dangers Behind Purchasing

• Payment Processing Issues:
  • Research chemical sellers are considered “high risk” (like gambling or gun sites), making standard payment processing (credit cards) often unavailable.
  • Workarounds like crypto and e-checks are common but can feel risky and lead to charges of theft or fraud.

    “A lot of times they have to try to do crypto or E check. And I’ve seen a lot of people reporting about getting ripped off, money taken…” (43:19)

• Website Attacks & Data Security:
  • Competitors may coordinate attacks (DDoS) on websites to take them down or steal customer data.

    “…if you have used a credit card or any other data or you have anything else in the system, well, they try to steal that too.” (46:05)

• Product Quality Concerns:
  • COAs are often outdated or faked; expensive, regular testing is rare.

    “It normally costs… two to $300 a test per item… It’s not super cost effective… which they don’t [do].” (36:25)

  • Adulterated or substituted compounds can have dangerous health effects.

6. Potential Consequences for Users

• Serious Health Risks:
  • Toxic fillers, undisclosed prohormones/steroids or contaminants can cause severe negative health impacts (e.g., liver, cholesterol, kidney dysfunction).

    “You take a peptide and it's something else… and you go in there and look in, your liver's thrashed, your cholesterol's out of control, your blood pressure's off the chart, your kidney functions are terrible.” (52:41)

• Losing Money:
  • Fly-by-night vendors, vanishing websites, and outright scams are commonplace.

7. Why People Still Buy: The Upside and the Dilemma

• Broad Selection:
  • Underground markets offer compounds and research chemicals unavailable via US pharmacies or doctors.

    “You can only get certain X amount of things prescribed to you… as opposed to this massive catalog of compounds…” (49:01)

• Caution Advised:
  • For every reputable outlet, there are many more scams or hazardous operators.

8. Personal Insights, Ethics, and Final Warnings

• Cutthroat Industry:
  • Intense rivalries, sabotage, and greed are rampant.

    “People will literally do anything and everything to, to take control and take over, to take all the money. There is so much money in… the research chemical [market] and it is such a massive market…” (54:16)

• Dylan’s Mission:
  • Shift from previous involvement in the supplement industry to educating others and exposing the truth.

    “I will always be for the people doing God's work. I used to be a certain way that I regret and I’ll never be that way again.” (55:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Legal “Not for Human Consumption” Label

  “That is simply to be able to sell them legally. That does not mean that they cannot be taken, so to speak.” — Dylan Gemelli (08:12)

• On Deceptive Marketing Practices

  “These companies are actually really good at this. They create these fake journalists, they are able to buy licenses, they do anything and everything. I literally have seen it all, and it is extremely scandalous and it tricks everybody.” — Dylan Gemelli (28:36)

• On the Illusion of Reliable Reviews

  “These are bought and paid for, and you don't know if the reviews are true or not… I've found that to be a fact in a lot of consumer goods, unfortunately.” — Dylan Gemelli (25:55)

• On Dangers to Health from Impure Products

  “Chances are you didn’t get what you thought you were getting.” — Dylan Gemelli (52:53)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 08:12 — Legal rationale for “not for human consumption” labeling
• 10:35 — How the FDA picks who to go after
• 17:49 — Fake certificates of analysis and supply chain risks
• 22:15 — White labeling and market saturation
• 25:40 — How fake review websites are set up
• 36:25 — Testing costs and why labs cut corners
• 43:19 — Payment processing hurdles and consumer risks
• 46:05 — Website attacks and customer data vulnerability
• 49:01 — Why people still turn to the underground market
• 52:41 — Real health dangers from underground chemicals
• 54:16 — The cutthroat, predatory nature of the business
• 55:26 — Dylan’s ethical stance and closing message

Conclusion

Dylan delivers a comprehensive, cautionary overview of the underground research chemical world. He exposes the legal, moral, and practical pitfalls—from sketchy marketing and corrupted supply chains to the persistent risk of scams and severe health consequences. With clear, personal conviction, Dylan urges listeners to be vigilant, question sources, value their wellbeing, and steer clear of traps set by an industry where, as he says, “People will literally do anything and everything to… take all the money.” He reaffirms his mission to “be an arbiter of truth… for the people,” emphasizing the importance of education and ethical standards in health and fitness enhancement.

For more insights, stay tuned to the Dylan Gemelli Podcast.