By Joy Stephenson-Laws, JD, Founder

There are two important things you need to know about weight in America today. First, the National Institutes of Health reports that two out of every three adults is either overweight or obese. Second, multiple reports indicate that more than half of Americans want to lose weight and almost 90 percent of teenage girls feel pressured to be skinny. Combine these two, and you have a perfect storm of overweight people desperate to drop pounds (often for the wrong reasons) and willing to try almost anything to achieve often unrealistic weight goals.

One extremely risky “solution,” which continues to draw attraction, is the use of cocaine to lose weight quickly and effortlessly.

How quickly?

One person who tried this approach reported losing four pounds in three days. For many, the allure of achieving these results – which are touted in multiple chat rooms and message boards on the internet as well as through word-of-mouth – is just too appealing to pass up. This is why people who see themselves as upright, law-abiding citizens who otherwise would never consider taking street drugs end up trying cocaine to lose weight. They justify this behavior as an acceptable aid to weight loss.

Health Risks

But there are several, serious health risks with this approach apart from the illegality of purchasing cocaine. These include:

• Overdose that can cause cardiac arrest and other fatal complications
• Damage to the nose and other sensitive tissues
• Seizures
• Increase in depression, anxiety and panic attacks as well as other mental health issues
• Malnourishment
• Risky sexual behavior

In addition to these general risks of using cocaine, there are several previously unknown consequences of using cocaine to lose weight that make it a losing proposition for dieters. Chief among these is that the user must continue to use cocaine in order for the weight to stay off. This usage pattern accelerates the user’s downward spiral with addiction and all the health and social risks this entails.

Studies now clearly show that people who stop using cocaine as a way to manage their weight quickly find themselves gaining weight just as quickly. This weight gain used to be seen as a reaction to a return of normal appetite after prolonged use of cocaine, a known metabolic stimulant and appetite suppressant.  

But a recent study on people who used cocaine to lose weight showed that the drug makes lasting, long-term changes in the user’s metabolism. These metabolic changes can trigger a cascade of unhealthy nutritional habits. The most important is that cocaine may interfere with the user’s ability to store fat, which is why many cocaine users report intense cravings for fatty (unhealthy) foods. The result is usually weight gain which triggers a desire to return to taking cocaine to lose the weight. And the cycle starts all over again and greatly threatens attempts to remain sober and free of cocaine.

The same study also found that cocaine users have lower levels of leptin in their bodies. Leptin, as you may recall from late-night television infomercials, is a hormone which plays an important role in regulating appetite and how our bodies burn the calories we consume. This decrease in leptin together with the high fat diet cocaine users tend to crave may cause metabolic imbalances which, in turn, contribute to weight gain once the effects of cocaine are removed.

How can you be proactive?

First, the bad news. There is no magical way to lose weight overnight and keep it off. This is why many of the ways we try to lose weight, like juice cleanses, heavily restricting carbs or fat, fasting, etc., are simply not sustainable. We may lose weight at first but gain it back even faster once we return to more sustainable eating habits. In some cases, we are compelled to overeat when not dieting. As a result, we may gain the weight we lost plus more.

And a recent study suggests there is some evidence to support a finding that eating less is not necessarily the best way to lose weight. This study looked at how different food portions influenced weight gain and confirmed that focusing on healthy eating proved to be more sustainable which, not surprisingly, minimizes the chances of putting lost weight back on.

So, it seems the secret to sustained weight loss is being aware not only about how much you eat but what you are eating. This does not mean that proportion control goes out the window. But it does mean that if you choose healthy foods, you can still eat significant portions, feel satisfied and have sustainable weight loss. Focus on eating a healthy diet rich in nutrient-dense foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. There are also plenty of herbs and spices that can enhance the flavor of simple, whole foods that you cook at home.

Another key element of healthy weight loss is exercise. You don’t need a lot, and you don’t need to overdo it. Even walking for a half hour a day will make a big difference in how you feel – and how you look. And exercise has the added benefits of boosting your metabolism, giving you energy, building muscle and burning fat. It also will improve your mood and your general feeling of wellbeing.  

Finally, in addition to exercising and maintaining sustainable, healthy eating habits, making sure you are nutritionally balanced is imperative when it comes to losing weight. Nutritional testing can help you determine if your body is absorbing the right amount of nutrients, such as the water, vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins that keep your body functioning at its best. With the right amount of nutrients, you increase your ability to workout and not hold on to unwanted pounds and excess weight.

Don´t take the risk of looking for a quick weight loss solution via cocaine or other drugs. You´re worth more than that. If you are using cocaine as a weight loss aid and find you can’t stop, you can get help from many sources. Talk with your medical provider, spiritual advisor or a trusted friend. Or check out a self-help group such as Cocaine Anonymous at www.ca.org or Narcotics Anonymous at www.na.com.

Enjoy your healthy life!

The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, attorneys, nutritionists, nurses and certified fitness instructors. This team also includes the members of the pH Medical Advisory Board, which constantly monitors all pH programs, products and services. To learn more about the pH Medical Advisory Board, click here.