Doctors are speaking out against influencers who claim that using methylene blue, an antifungal dye used to clean fish tanks, to halt the effects of aging. Methylene blue can either be injected or ingested orally and while it probably won’t kill you, it definitely isn’t a miracle ingredient capable of all the benefits influencers have been hawking it for.
I have just discovered the trend of fitness influencers sticking methylene blue on their tongue as a “metabolic or cognitive enghancer” and I can’t stop laughing pic.twitter.com/R5HUYUXmHp
— Dr Darren Saunders (@whereisdaz) March 10, 2022
- Doctors do prescribe methylene blue for certain conditions. It can be used to treat methemoglobinemia, a condition in which the blood struggles to deliver oxygen to other parts of the body. It does have its uses in humans in small doses and isn’t believed to be unsafe when used for legitimate conditions as prescribed, but the buck stops there.
- Experts are furious that influences are singing the substance’s praises. Many doctors have called BS on influencers’ claims that methylene blue can boost metabolism, increase cognitive function, and fight the effects of aging. None of those things are true, if that wasn’t clear.
- One Australian Dr. took to Twitter to air his thoughts. “I have just discovered the trend of fitness influencers sticking methylene blue on their tongue as a ‘metabolic or cognitive enhancer,’ and I can’t stop laughing,” he wrote. “OMG, of course it also ‘slows down your chain of aging’ — whatever the hell that is.”
- In fact, Saunders knows it can cause problems. He went on to say that one of his friends drank a bottle of methylene blue when they were in med school and had serious side effects, such as the woman’s mouth and eyes turning blue. “Worst mess I’ve ever seen,” he added.
- Another doctor called out the idea that methylene blue could help treat Covid. The rumor that the substance could help with Covid-19 has been going around TikTok for a while, but Canadian Dr. Jon warned people not to listen to this advice.
- A lot of influencers still stand by their dedication to methylene blue. Washington state podcaster Ben Greenfield told his 376,000 Instagram followers that he adores the stuff and considers it one of his “favorite nootropics due to its wide-ranging benefits that include: enhanced mitochondrial function, provides neuroprotective effects against brain inflammation, increased memory and cognitive function, enhance the effects of light and oxygen therapies, and much more” despite zero scientific evidence to back up this claim. American endurance runner Jordan Hasay also loves the stuff and claimed that it “can help to improve focus, endurance, and sleep.” That post included a discount code for a brand that sells methylene blue as a supplement. Influencer culture must be stopped!
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@dr.jon.l #stitch with @abienergy22 no to methylene blue for covid #covid19 #pandemic #science #health #doctor #fypシ
