Molecule: The Viral Weight Loss Pill on Russian TikTok

Molecule, a pill that claims to rapidly aid in weight loss, became a sensation on Russian TikTok this year. The social media platform flooded with buzzwords like “Take Molecule and forget food exists” and quirky captions suggesting young people could hide behind oversized clothes in classrooms.

Videos showcased fridges stuffed with blue boxes emblazoned with the “Molecule Plus” label. As teens documented their “weight-loss journeys,” orders surged.

However, users started to notice significant drawbacks. Maria, a 22-year-old from St. Petersburg, tried the pill after purchasing it online. She took two pills daily and, within two weeks, she experienced debilitating side effects. “My mouth was so dry, and I completely lost my appetite. I was always anxious, biting my lips, and chewing my cheeks,” she recounted.

Her mental health suffered drastically. “These pills impacted my psyche deeply,” Maria said, explaining she wasn’t ready for such drastic consequences. Other users reported similar experiences, including symptoms like dilated pupils, tremors, and insomnia; alarming cases of schoolchildren needing hospitalization also surfaced.

In April, a schoolgirl in Chita required hospital treatment after an overdose while hoping to shed pounds for summer. Another mother reported her daughter in intensive care following a pill binge. A 13-year-old boy from St. Petersburg experienced hallucinations after he asked a friend to buy pills due to bullying over his weight.

Banned Substance in Multiple Regions

The packaging of Molecule often boasts “natural ingredients” like dandelion root and fennel extract. Yet, when journalists from the Russian newspaper Izvestiya tested samples bought online, they found them laced with sibutramine.

This substance, initially an antidepressant before being used as an appetite suppressant, has been linked to increased risks of heart attacks and strokes, with only minimal weight loss benefits. It was banned in the US in 2010 and is known to be illegal in the UK, EU, China, and various other regions.

In Russia, though, it’s still used for obesity treatments, available only through prescription for adults. However, the illegal trade continues, with many selling it online, often at higher doses than legally permitted. Unlicensed pills often cost about £6-7 for a 20-day supply, substantially cheaper than recognized weight-loss medications.

Ksenia Solovieva, an endocrinologist in St. Petersburg, voiced concerns, stating, “Self-administration of this drug is very unsafe,” due to unpredictable dosages in such “dietary supplements.”

Despite facing penalties, individuals in Russia who buy or sell Molecule find it hard to avoid the legal consequences. Reports to authorities about the trend led to some online platforms removing listings, only for them to reappear under different names, like Atom. A recent law enabled authorities to block sites peddling “unregistered dietary supplements,” but sellers often sidestep this by marketing them as “sports nutrition.”

On TikTok, listings for Molecule masquerade under innocuous items such as muesli and biscuits. Some retailers have become quite brazen in their selling tactics.

The BBC uncovered that suppliers claim they source pills from Chinese factories, while others assert they come from Germany. Curiously, some packages say they originate from non-existent companies.

Eating disorder communities online have turned into platforms for promoting Molecule, using coded language to evade bans. Solovieva remarked on the particular danger of such pills to youth, especially those with existing eating disorders. Influencer Anna Enina, who previously admitted to using unregulated weight-loss pills, warned followers that the consequences could be dire.

Maria now actively discourages young women from trying Molecule, sharing her experiences in forums and even reaching out to parents of younger users. Still, the pill remains a popular choice online, and every TikTok video that pops up serves as a stark reminder of the pills that once made her ill.