Diet culture messages are often trending on TikTok, including recommended weight loss methods. The latest? Laxatives -- typically used to relieve constipation -- are now being falsely dubbed as “budget Ozempic.” The real truth? Laxative use can be tied to eating disorders.
Should you use laxatives for weight loss?
The truth is that use of laxatives to lose weight is harmful and ineffective and can be associated with an eating disorder. Laxative use and abuse is a common behavior among people with eating disorders as they attempt to rid their bodies of calories by disrupting the absorption of nutrition consumed.
Laxatives: helpful or harmful?
Laxatives are over-the-counter or prescribed medications that can be used safely to relieve occasional constipation, or more regularly under a doctor’s oversight. In our eating disorder treatment centers, however, we commonly see people coming in with medical complications stemming from overuse of laxatives. Overuse of laxatives can cause serious medical problems including:
- Dehydration
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
This can lead to electrolyte abnormalities that can cause cardiac problems and even death.
Diet culture and fatphobia
In our weight- and thinness-obsessed society, it is common to repurpose medications for weight loss. Misusing medication for weight loss could be related to body dysmorphia or an eating disorder.
The reality is this: The laxative weight loss trend is harmful and is not going to produce the intended results. Laxatives may give people a short-term weight change by helping them get rid of stool and some water weight. But it is important to remember that this change won't last, and this usage can pose significant risks.
The danger of laxative abuse
Laxatives can have side effects, the most common of which are:
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Digestive muscle weakening
These side effects can lead to long-term problems, including:
- Chronic constipation
- A reliance on laxatives for bowel movements
- Chronic diarrhea
- Nausea
- Gas
Laxatives are meant to help with constipation by loosening the stool and stimulating bowel movement.[1] Using this method for weight loss is harmful.
But that's not to say you shouldn’t use these medications as intended if you truly are constipated. Just be mindful of how you are using them.
My thoughts on this trend
In people without an eating disorder, occasional use of over-the-counter laxatives is not problematic when they are taken as intended. But for anyone, the chronic use of laxatives, even without any thoughts and behaviors associated with eating disorders, should prompt a discussion with a medical professional.
Experimenting with laxatives as a weight loss tactic can have many negative outcomes. The biggest risk is the development of an eating disorder, which is a life-altering mental illness. Specific eating disorders that might be triggered or worsened by laxative abuse include:
- Bulimia nervosa
- Anorexia nervosa binge-eating/purging type
- Other specified feeding or eating disorders
The link between laxative abuse and bulimia
Bulimia is an eating disorder marked by repeated consumption of large amounts of food in a short time (bingeing), followed by attempts to get rid of the calories consumed (purging). There are many forms of purging, such as:
- Self-induced vomiting
- Laxative misuse
- Diuretic misuse
- Overexercise
Sometimes it's easy to miss the fact that laxatives are a form of purging because of how the media has portrayed purging in eating disorders as vomiting. You may not know that purging can take the form of excessive use of medication, exercise and other compensatory behaviors to undo calories consumed.
But here's the deal: Using laxatives for weight loss is a form of purging, and it can lead to significant physical and mental issues. So, it's crucial to be aware of these risks.
Long-term physical effects of bulimia include:
- Cardiac complications
- Dehydration
- Ulcers
- Tooth decay
- Digestive irregularity and other serious conditions
- Death
Study links laxative use with eating disorders
Don’t just take it from me. A study with over 10,000 young women in the U.S. from 2001 to 2016 found an association between laxative use and eating disorders. Participants who used laxatives to lose weight were six times more likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder within three years.
Comparatively, those who reported using diet pills were about 5.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder in the same time frame. This demonstrates a strong connection between use of laxatives and diet pills and the eventual development of an eating disorder.[2]
While the study above highlights young women, individuals of all genders and ages are susceptible to eating disorders.
Know the signs of an eating disorder
There are multiple signs of an eating disorder that you can watch for, including new or overwhelming concerns about weight, shape, size, or if a loved one says they are “dieting” or “getting healthy,” or if these behaviors are consuming their time and energy in a harmful way.
Physical signs
- Spending a lot of time in the bathroom, especially after eating
- Having laxatives, diet pills or empty pill wrappers among their things
- Complaining often about stomachaches, cramps or digestive problems
Emotional and behavioral signs
- Showing signs of feeling down for a long time, such as being sad or losing interest in things
- Showing increased anxiety or nervousness, especially when it's time to eat or talk about food
- Pulling away from and spending less time with friends and family
- Getting easily annoyed or having mood swings, even with no clear reason
- Being secretive about eating or how they feel physically
What to do if you suspect someone has an eating disorder
This "budget Ozempic" trend is already contributing to the mass misuse of laxative pills. We must address this by shedding light on the importance of early recognition and treatment of eating disorders. If someone you care about shows any of the above signs:
- Approach them with support and empathy.
- Openly express your concerns about their well-being and the shifts you've noticed.
- Take the time to educate yourself about eating disorders and the treatment that is available.
Could you have an eating disorder? Take the quiz
If you or someone you know has concerns about eating behaviors, consider taking our eating disorder quiz to gain insight. You can also connect with others who understand in a variety of free virtual eating disorder support groups.
Take our quick eating disorder self-assessment here.
We can help
To learn more about treatment options at Eating Recovery Center, call 866-480-1125 to speak with an experienced mental health professional or fill out this brief form to set up a free eating disorder screening. Recovery is within reach.