Doctors are criticising fitness influencers who promote the anti-fungal colour methylene blue, which is commonly used to clean fish tanks.

Physicians prescribe the chemical, which can be injected or taken orally, to treat methemoglobinemia, a disorder in which the blood fails to carry oxygen to different regions of the body.

While methylene blue in therapeutic doses is not toxic to most humans, some researchers are dismissing claims made by influencers that the dye aids improve cognitive capacities, boost metabolism, and combat ageing.

“I can’t stop laughing,” Australian Dr. Darren Saunders commented on Twitter after discovering the fad of fitness influencers placing methylene blue on their tongues as a “metabolic or cognitive enhancer.”

“OMG, of course it also ‘slows down your chain of aging’—whatever the hell that is,” he said.

Popular fitness influencer Ben Greenfield is seen in a selfie after consuming methylene blue. Instagram

Doctor Jon’s original sound

Saunders then recalled that one of his peers consumed a bottle of methylene blue—and suffered side effects for months—when they were in med school.

The “worst mess I’ve ever seen,” he recalled, claiming the woman’s mouth and eyes “turned blue.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Jon, a Canadian physician, urged his TikTok followers not to consume methylene blue because it might create possibly fatal consequences in persons who are already taking anti-depressants.

He also dismissed some claims that the dye could be beneficial in treating cases of COVID-19.

However, some influencers still swear by the product and have been taking trendy selfies sporting bright-blue tongues.

Washington-state based podcaster Ben Greenfield told his 376,000 Instagram followers that methylene blue was one of his “favorite nootropics due to its wide-ranging benefits that include: enhanced mitochondrial function, providing neuroprotective effects against brain inflammation, increased memory and cognitive function, enhancing the effects of light and oxygen therapies, and much more.”

In addition, American endurance runner Jordan Hasay has also promoted methylene blue, suggesting it has helped her in a myriad of ways.

“It can help to improve focus, endurance, and sleep,” Hasay wrote beneath a recent Instagram upload, which appeared to be a sponsored post in conjunction with Troscriptions, a vitamin and supplement company. “I like using the @troscriptions ‘Just Blue’ product before my hard workouts. Check out @troscriptions for more info and you can use code JordanBlue for a discount! “

She also claimed, without providing evidence, that methylene blue can improve energy production, protect cells from damage, and improve memory function.

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