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, says her mouth dried up and she completely lost her appetite.
I had absolutely no desire to eat, let alone drink. I was nervous. I was constantly biting my lips and chewing my cheeks, she stated.
Maria developed severe anxiety and began having negative thoughts. These pills were having a profound effect on my psyche, she concluded.
Others users mentioned experiences of dilated pupils, tremors, and insomnia. Reports indicate that at least three schoolchildren required hospitalization.
Reports of overdoses have surfaced, including a schoolgirl in Chita, Siberia, who needed medical attention trying to lose weight quickly before the summer.
Amid the rising health concerns, Molecule has been identified to contain sibutramine—a banned substance in various countries, including Europe and the US. Originally marketed as an antidepressant, sibutramine has been found to increase the risk of serious health problems while only slightly promoting weight loss.
Molecule is typically marketed with claims of natural ingredients but has proven deadly as users partake in self-administration without medical guidance. Despite legislation against its sale without prescription, legality loopholes are being exploited by sellers, contributing to its circulation.
In response to the rising trend, healthcare professionals are urging caution, especially regarding its impact on at-risk youth. Influencers, like Anna Enina, have publicly spoken against the consumption of these pills, stressing the dire consequences associated with their use.
Maria, now regretting her choices, actively speaks out against Molecule in weight-loss forums, hoping to prevent others from undergoing a similar experience.
