2,4 dinitrophenol: It's not just for men

2,4 dinitrophenol : It's not just for men / Jennifer Germain, Conan Leavey, Marie Claire Van Hout, Jim McVeigh

  • International Journal of Drug Policy 95 (2021) 102987 (September)
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102987


Abstract

Background

2,4 dinitrophenol (DNP) is an organic compound which causes thermogenesis resulting in fat burning and weight loss. Although not licensed for human consumption, the globalised access to and information about this compound on the internet has prompted a renewed interest in DNP making it readily available to purchase online.  Studies into user experiences remain scarce and much of the previous literature has focused on DNP use in male dominated bodybuilding communities. While online accounts of female DNP use are plentiful, this group are under researched.

Method

Ten online forums containing female discussion of DNP were identified and 440 threads subjected to a thematic analysis. Semi structured interviews were conducted with four forum moderators (all men) and one woman who reported use of DNP.

Results

The findings highlighted diverse motivations for why women use DNP as well as differences in experiences, dosing regimens, willingness to take risks and adverse effects. Many women reported using online forums to seek advice and trusted the information they received. However, much of the discussion and protocols for use online is perpetuated by and geared towards men, with DNP seen as a ‘hard core’ drug that is not suitable for women. Female DNP use was frequently stigmatised because the potential risks were seen to be at odds with women's roles as mothers and caregivers. Women who used DNP were often ignored, ridiculed or seen as novice users, while men were viewed as the DNP experts.

Conclusion

This study provides an overview of female experiences of DNP use. There is a growing body of evidence as to the harms associated with this compound and there are no guaranteed ‘safe’ regimens that can be advocated for any potential user. Users equate deaths or ill harms from DNP with incorrect dosing or insufficient knowledge of the impact of the drug on the body. This leads women to incorrectly assume that if they are not suffering ill effects they are using DNP safely. Of key concern from this study is that within a vacuum of harm reduction advice, women are reported to be accepting DNP advice circulating in male-dominated forums and adopting the protocols of male bodybuilders with potentially fatal consequences. Furthermore, women using DNP are doing so without any ‘real world’ support, gender sensitive treatment pathways or interventions in place.

Parameters

Science
Research / Study
Date
16 October 2020
People
Germain, Jennifer
Leavey, Conan
McVeigh, Jim
Van Hout, Marie Claire
Country
United Kingdom
Language
English
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Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU)
Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
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New substance, not on prohibited list
Medical terms
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Various
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Date generated
11 May 2022
Date of last modification
23 January 2023
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