Molecule, a pill promising rapid weight loss, went viral on Russian TikTok earlier this year. Young people's feeds started filling up with captions like Take Molecule and forget food exists, and Do you want to sit in the back of the class in oversized clothes? Clips showed fridges lined with blue boxes featuring holograms and Molecule Plus labels. The orders began piling in as teenagers shared their weight-loss journeys on social media.
But there was a catch. Maria, 22, had purchased the pill from a popular online retailer. She took two pills per day and, after two weeks, reported severe side effects: My mouth dried up and I completely lost my appetite. The experience led to severe anxiety and negative thoughts, which Maria claims had a profound effect on her psyche. Other TikTok users noted symptoms like dilated pupils, tremors, and insomnia. At least three schoolchildren are reported to have required hospitalization.
In April, a schoolgirl in Chita, Siberia, needed hospital care after overdosing on Molecule, trying to lose weight for the summer. Another schoolgirl was admitted to intensive care, and a 13-year-old boy from St Petersburg experienced hallucinations and panic attacks after purchasing the pill to combat school bullying about his weight.
The packaging often lists natural ingredients like dandelion root and fennel seed extract, but testing by Izvestiya revealed the presence of sibutramine, a substance that heightens the risk of heart attacks and strokes and is banned in several countries including the UK and US. Despite its illegal status, it remains available in Russia for prescription use.
Molecule pills are sold illegally online, often at prices around £6-7 for a 20-day supply, attracting young consumers seeking quick results. Dr. Ksenia Solovieva, an endocrinologist, has warned that self-administering such drugs is extremely dangerous, primarily due to dosage uncertainties in these unregulated products.
After a government-backed report highlighted the dangers, online platforms removed Molecule from sale, but it quickly reappeared under new names, including a similar product, Atom. Increased regulation has not effectively curtailed its illicit sales, as sellers circumvent restrictions by labeling them under different categories.
The crisis has led to a disturbing trend where eating disorder communities online promote Molecule, using coded language to bypass moderation mechanisms. With public figures like Anna Enina cautioning against the pills, there is a growing awareness of the severe health implications.
Maria's negative experience has prompted her to advocate against the use of Molecule. She has reached out to warn others on online forums, highlighting the pervasive nature of Molecule sales and the ongoing challenges faced by authorities to curb unsafe consumption.
But there was a catch. Maria, 22, had purchased the pill from a popular online retailer. She took two pills per day and, after two weeks, reported severe side effects: My mouth dried up and I completely lost my appetite. The experience led to severe anxiety and negative thoughts, which Maria claims had a profound effect on her psyche. Other TikTok users noted symptoms like dilated pupils, tremors, and insomnia. At least three schoolchildren are reported to have required hospitalization.
In April, a schoolgirl in Chita, Siberia, needed hospital care after overdosing on Molecule, trying to lose weight for the summer. Another schoolgirl was admitted to intensive care, and a 13-year-old boy from St Petersburg experienced hallucinations and panic attacks after purchasing the pill to combat school bullying about his weight.
The packaging often lists natural ingredients like dandelion root and fennel seed extract, but testing by Izvestiya revealed the presence of sibutramine, a substance that heightens the risk of heart attacks and strokes and is banned in several countries including the UK and US. Despite its illegal status, it remains available in Russia for prescription use.
Molecule pills are sold illegally online, often at prices around £6-7 for a 20-day supply, attracting young consumers seeking quick results. Dr. Ksenia Solovieva, an endocrinologist, has warned that self-administering such drugs is extremely dangerous, primarily due to dosage uncertainties in these unregulated products.
After a government-backed report highlighted the dangers, online platforms removed Molecule from sale, but it quickly reappeared under new names, including a similar product, Atom. Increased regulation has not effectively curtailed its illicit sales, as sellers circumvent restrictions by labeling them under different categories.
The crisis has led to a disturbing trend where eating disorder communities online promote Molecule, using coded language to bypass moderation mechanisms. With public figures like Anna Enina cautioning against the pills, there is a growing awareness of the severe health implications.
Maria's negative experience has prompted her to advocate against the use of Molecule. She has reached out to warn others on online forums, highlighting the pervasive nature of Molecule sales and the ongoing challenges faced by authorities to curb unsafe consumption.
