Why Thousands Are Risking DIY Weight-Loss Injections

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High prices and limited insurance coverage have driven a growing number of Americans to seek weight-loss solutions outside the doctor’s office and the law. Online forums, encrypted chat groups, and underground vendors are fueling a gray market for injectable obesity drugs, often sourced from unregulated suppliers overseas.

At the heart of this trend are popular medications like tirzepatide and semaglutide, the active ingredients in brand-name drugs Zepbound and Wegovy, according to a Reuters report.

These GLP-1 receptor agonists are known to suppress appetite, reduce blood sugar, and promote significant weight loss. But the official versions can cost hundreds—sometimes over $1,000—per month without adequate insurance. Many aren’t willing or able to foot that bill.

Instead, buyers are turning to websites and social media channels that sell raw powders labeled “for research use only.” Users mix these substances at home with sterile water, carefully calculate their doses, and inject themselves, often without medical supervision. Some even coordinate group lab tests to verify the drug’s purity, relying on the results as a sort of crowdsourced quality control.

It’s a risky workaround. Public health officials warn that these unapproved drugs may contain contaminants, incorrect dosages, or unknown substances. And without FDA oversight, there’s no guarantee of sterility, stability, or safety.

One miscalculation or bad batch could mean serious side effects or worse.

Despite that, the movement is growing fast. A Telegram forum called StairwayToGray recently surpassed 21,000 members. Reddit threads dedicated to GLP-1 microdosing regularly see users trading tips on sourcing, injecting, and navigating customs loopholes.

Experts say the rise of this DIY model highlights deep cracks in the U.S. healthcare system. Nearly three-quarters of American adults are overweight or obese, yet only a fraction have access to affordable medical treatments. Until that gap is addressed, the line between health hack and health hazard will continue to blur.

For now, thousands continue to self-administer these powerful drugs, trusting anonymous peers, third-party test results, and their own calculations instead of the system.

Why Thousands Are Risking DIY Weight-Loss Injections first appeared on Men’s Journal on Jun 28, 2025