Doctors issue major warning over viral 'limitless pill' that is being used by celebrities as 'brain fuel'
Doctors have issued a major warning over the viral ‘limitless pill’.
Said to be used by various celebrities, influencers and political figures, it’s likened to being a ‘brain fuel’.
No, not a common superfood that’s also the subject of health warnings but a synthetic dye named methylene blue.
While he didn’t officially confirm that’s what it was, it’s heavily suggested Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was using the stuff when a video went viral of him dropping blue liquid into a glass of water onboard a flight.
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In the US, methylene blue is FDA-approved to treat a rare blood disorder but in recent years, some wellness circles have tipped the stuff as a ‘miracle drug’. But not everyone is quite in agreement with that as doctors say the claims could be ‘dangerous’.
What is methylene blue?
Originally developed in the 1800s as a textile dye, the substance was found to have niche medical uses and was first used to treat malaria.
It’s also had uses for cyanide poisoning, the rare blood disorder called methemoglobinemia and can be used by surgeons to highlight abnormalities.
But then it’s also used to treat parasites in fish as well as aquatic ailments like swim bladder disease.
It’s still used industrially in some cases, as a synthetic dye for textiles and the likes of printing.
Yet there are wellness influencers who suggest it’s one of the ‘best kept secrets in biohacking’ and can be a ‘game changer for mental clarity and longevity’.
What are the claimed benefits?
Some studies show methylene blue can alleviate mental health issues, with a 2011 trial finding improvements in bipolar disorder symptoms, a 1987 US study indicating it could help with severe depression and a 2020 Chinese study suggesting it may help with Alzheimer’s.
It’s speculated that the stuff could slow down ageing and improve brain function but many of these studies used small sample sizes. Some even think it can stave off jet lag.
Mel Gibson and Joe Rogan even discussed the stuff on The Joe Rogan Experience, claiming ‘this stuff works’.
Rogan said at one point that he takes the stuff daily, thanking RFK Jr as he reckons the stuff has ‘profound effects on your mitochondria’.
Meanwhile, US podcaster Gabby Reece previously said she'd been trying methylene blue ‘in different scenarios’.
What are the risks?
With many of the claims of benefits unsupported, many experts warn against using methylene blue.
Neuroscientist Anne-Sophie Fluri told the Daily Mail: “Without solid evidence in humans, these claims are at best speculative and at worst potentially dangerous.”
Experts have reportedly found that recreational use of the substance can lead to serious complications, including seizures or destruction of red blood cells in vulnerable people.
“The brain is not a machine you can casually 'optimise' like a smartphone,” Fluri added.
Another danger of methylene blue is serotonin syndrome which is rare but potentially serious. This occurs when the levels of serotonin in your brain become too high, usually happening if you take antidepressants in combination with another medicine or substance. Symptoms include confusion, agitation, muscle twitching, sweating, shivering and diarrhoea.
And, if anything, too much of the stuff can turn your wee blue and that’s surely never a good thing.
Self-experimentation with methylene blue is heavily warned against and you should consult a doctor if you’re considering using it for any health purpose.
Jess Battison