Doctors slam influencers for ingesting fish tank cleaner to fight aging

Explore More

Doctors are slamming fitness influencers hawking the health benefits of methylene blue — an anti-fungal dye often used to clean fish tanks.

The substance — which can be injected or consumed orally — is prescribed by physicians to treat methemoglobinemia, a medical condition in which blood cannot deliver oxygen to different parts of the body.

However, while it is not harmful for most humans to consume methylene blue in therapeutic doses, some experts are trashing claims from influencers that the dye helps enhance cognitive abilities, boost metabolism and fight aging.

“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,” Australian Dr. Darren Saunders wrote on Twitter.

“OMG, of course it also ‘slows down your chain of aging’ — whatever the hell that is,” he further sniped.

Saunders then recalled that one of his peers consumed a bottle of methylene blue — and suffered side effects for months — when they were in med school.

“Worst mess I’ve ever seen,” he recalled, claiming the woman’s mouth and eyes “turned blue.”

Meanwhile, Canadian physician Dr. Jon warned his TikTok followers against taking methylene blue, saying it can cause potentially deadly complications for people who also take anti-depressants.

He also dismissed some claims that the dye could be beneficial in treating cases of COVID-19.

However, some influencers still swear by the product and have been taking trendy selfies sporting bright-blue tongues.

Washington-state based podcaster Ben Greenfield told his 376,000 Instagram followers that methylene blue was 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.”

In addition, American endurance runner Jordan Hasay has also promoted methylene blue, suggesting it has helped her in a myriad of ways.

“It can help to improve focus, endurance and sleep,” Hasay wrote beneath a recent Instagram upload, which appeared to be a sponsored post in conjunction with Troscriptions, a vitamin and supplement company. “I like using @troscriptions ‘Just Blue’ product before my hard workouts. Check out @troscriptions for more info and you can use code JordanBlue for a discount!”

Elsewhere, makeup artist Luba Cohen shared a selfie to Instagram that also appeared to be a sponsored post by Troscriptions.

“MB has been very important for me while recovering from being sick,” Cohen wrote. “There is a few brands on the market but my absolutes favorite is @troscriptions it comes in small lozenge. You place it between your cheek and gums and let it dissolve.”

She further proclaimed, without evidence, that methylene blue can improve energy production, protect cells from damage and enhance memory function.

ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlf3N7j2xmamxfmbykwM6rqmarnJa6brXNn6OunZ6YsrO%2FjJ%2Bmq2WZo7emr9OipaBllp7AqXnTmqWkZZOhsqK6xKtkraddm7aotNNmmKChnpx8