I listen to a number of podcasts, and recently I listened to a fascinating 4 part podcast on One Click, about the toxic drug DNP. I couldn't believe how deadly it was, yet is still sold illegally on the dark web.
DNP is Dinitrophenol, a drug sold illegally as a weight loss supplement. Online retailers target body builders and extreme dieters, promising miracles. It is potentially lethal to anyone, at any age. The drug can cause a rapid increase in you metabolic rate and body temperature, and it's a terrible death. It is not fit for human consumption.
DNP was originally manufactured in France during WW1 to make dyes and explosives. In 1933 it was found to be good for weight loss. It was sold over the counter from 1933-1938 as a weight loss supplement, but was pulled from the market because of safety concerns. It is used today in wood preservatives, dyes, explosives, and pesticides, so it's hard to imagine it could be good for human consumption.
In the One Click podcast, they explained how people got involved in buying DNP, what specifically happened to them, and reviewed some very sad stories of death. I encourage anyone who finds this topic interesting to go to One Click, and listen to the 4 part series.
Sadly, it is not illegal to possess DNP in the U.S. However, the sale of DNP is prohibited around the world, and it has never been approved by the FDA. Sellers of DNP face heavy fines and jail time.
DNP is extremely toxic and has a high potential for overdose. Ingestion doses as low as 10-20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight can be fatal. The most common cause of death from DNP is hyperthermia.
The FDA and other international regulatory bodies routinely take legal action against websites illegally selling drugs such as DNP. DNP can legally be sold as a fertilizer. In many countries retailers use this loophole to sell it as a weight-loss drug.
Warning: try to avoid any drug supplement that claims it can cause weight loss without the need for dietary changes or increased exercise. Any product that claims this is either ineffective or dangerous.
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