She was thinking about buying a natural, safe supplement to gain weight. It had serious side effects.
The quest for the ideal body is pushing more and more people towards quick but dangerous solutions, often found online. This is the story of Emmy, 21 years old, who just wanted to gain a little weight. She ordered “organic and vegan” pills and her life was turned upside down. His case, far from being isolated, lifts the veil on the terrible trafficking of fake medicines disguised as food supplements.
Emmy (first name changed) was self-conscious about her body. One day, she came across videos claiming that you could “gain weight naturally” using herbal capsules. The promise is seductive, the presentation reassuring. Without telling anyone, neither her friends nor her parents, she orders a box. Two capsules per day, a discreet ritual that she believes poses no risk to her health. At worst, it won’t work, she told herself. But from the first weeks, strange side effects appear: migraines, bloating, agitation… However, she continues her treatment.
New, more worrying changes occur and those around him point out to him: his face is swollen, his behavior no longer resembles him (impulsive spending, rambling remarks, permanent excitement). Emmy doesn’t realize this and continues taking the capsules. One evening, his health worsened. She’s getting out of control. His mother takes him to the hospital. Emmy is interned in psychiatry for a month. A diagnosis of schizophrenia is suggested.
His mother, convinced that something was missing from the doctors, collected the box of capsules and had them analyzed. The results are clear: the capsules contain antihistamines banned for 20 years and powerful corticosteroids. Nothing to do with a food supplement. A mixture likely to cause agitation, confusion and psychological decompensation. Exactly what Emmy experienced. Meanwhile, the seller of dangerous capsules continues to sell her products on the networks.
An investigation was finally opened and the matter was brought before the courts. The young woman is being prosecuted for illicit importation of medicines, unintentional injury, deception and endangering others. Eleven victims would be affected. The trial has been postponed until spring 2026. Emmy is doing better, as reported by Le Parisien. She tells what happened to her to prevent others from falling into the same trap. His story underlines a point that is often downplayed: supplements sold via TikTok, Instagram or uncontrolled sites are not subject to any verification. They may contain prohibited, poorly dosed or dangerous substances, without the buyer having the slightest idea. No product allows you to gain weight (or lose it) quickly and without risk. It is essential to turn to a healthcare professional and to favor reliable channels: pharmacies.
