What's Happening?
Methylene blue, a synthetic dye, is gaining popularity on platforms like TikTok for its purported health benefits, including boosting brain power and slowing aging. However, experts caution against its use
outside of medical supervision. Methylene blue is FDA-approved for treating methemoglobinemia, a rare blood disorder, but its off-label use lacks sufficient scientific backing. The dye can cause serious side effects, including serotonin syndrome, and may interact with medications like SSRIs, posing significant health risks.
Why It's Important?
The rising trend of using methylene blue supplements highlights the broader issue of unregulated supplement use and misinformation on social media. While methylene blue has legitimate medical applications, its unsupervised use can lead to severe health complications. This situation underscores the need for public awareness about the potential dangers of self-medicating with supplements and the importance of consulting healthcare professionals. The trend also raises concerns about the regulation of supplements and the dissemination of health information online.
