Experts warn against the unconscious use of healthy people for aesthetic purposes: Non-prescription slimming needles are dangerous

Bayraktar stated that slimming needles affect the appetite center in the brain and said, “The slimming needles that have gained popularity recently basically belong to a class of drugs called Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 is a hormone produced in the intestines and secreted especially after eating and regulates blood sugar control. It regulates metabolism by affecting many organs. We can say that slimming needles mimic the GLP-1 hormone. Slimming needles support weight loss in many ways by affecting different organs and systems such as the appetite center of the brain, stomach, pancreas and indirectly fat tissue.”

ELON MUSK EXAMPLE

Bayraktar said, “Many users shared before-after photos and talked about the miraculous effects of the drug. This led to an explosion in demand. To give a more concrete example; After Elon Musk announced in October 2022 that he lost weight using semaglutide, a type of GLP-1RA, a significant increase in semaglutide use was observed in a study conducted in the Lazio region of Italy.”

'INCOMPLETE, MISLEADING INFORMATION'

Bayraktar, who mentioned that in recent years, social media and celebrity influence have led not only diabetic and obese patients but also healthy individuals to use GLP-1RA for aesthetic purposes, warned, “It is emphasized that this trend has spread especially in the US, UK and Europe via TikTok and Instagram. A study conducted on TikTok found that 70 percent of the information shared about GLP-1RA side effects was incomplete or misleading.”

Bayraktar said: “Increasing popularity has also brought with it dangers such as incorrect and unprescribed use of drugs. Uncontrolled use, unprescribed sales and the use of GLP-1RA drugs through under-the-counter production can pose serious dangers. Scientific research draws attention to the following risks in this regard; A total of 1.2 percent of psychiatric side effects have been reported with GLP1RA drugs. Serious side effects such as depression (50 percent), anxiety (38.7 percent), and suicidal thoughts (19.6 percent) pose a higher risk, especially in the case of uncontrolled use.

'FAKE PRODUCTS HAVE BECOME WIDESPREAD'

Media reports and scientific studies show that counterfeit GLP-1RA products are becoming widespread and people are purchasing them through social media or unauthorized sources. Counterfeit products often contain incorrect dosages, which can lead to serious conditions such as severe nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and acute pancreatitis. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain them only under medical supervision and strictly from pharmacies.”