Lack of energy and bad breath are the primary side effects reported by users taking unprescribed slimming pens, according to artificial intelligence research platform Winnin. The findings come amid a growing public health warning in Brazil regarding the widespread cosmetic use of weight loss injections without medical supervision.
Winnin analyzed more than 233,000 videos in English, Spanish, and Portuguese across Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitch. The survey identified a 96 percent increase in video content centered on the hashtag #GLP1Community across these major digital platforms.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of injectable medications designed to regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes management, drugs such as semaglutide have gained global popularity as anti-obesity treatments. In Brazil, medical authorities restrict the distribution of controlled pharmaceuticals, but cosmetic demand has led many consumers to obtain the medications without professional medical supervision.
Reported Side Effects and Physical Changes
Following fatigue and halitosis, skin aging and collagen loss ranked among the top physical complaints expressed by social media users. Topics concerning muscle preservation and muscle hypertrophy were also frequently discussed in posts evaluating treatment outcomes.
At the bottom of the complaint ranking, users reported loss of facial volume, hair management difficulties, and adverse impacts on the digestive system. The study highlights how rapid weight reduction affects multiple organ systems and physical appearance.
Winnin is an artificial intelligence company specializing in consumer trend mapping and social media video data analysis across global digital platforms.
Health Risks of Rapid Muscle Loss
Guilherme Moscardi, operations manager at Ultra Academia and a longevity specialist, explained that rapid weight loss carries the risk of shedding muscle mass alongside fat. He warned that this loss causes important health impacts.
Moscardi noted that muscle reduction directly causes a drop in basal metabolism, loss of physical strength, an elevated risk of injuries, and long-term difficulties in maintaining weight loss results.
Ultra Academia is a fitness gym chain in Brazil that focuses on physical conditioning, strength training, and healthy aging programs.
Rapid body mass reduction often triggers metabolic adjustments within the human body. When calorie intake drops sharply without adequate protein consumption or resistance training, the body breaks down muscular tissue alongside adipose fat, altering baseline energy expenditure.
Mental Health Concerns and Body Image
Emotional symptoms were also prominent among the most discussed topics in the survey. Psychiatrist Carla Moura Weinstein stated that emotional problems can intensify for patients with a history of eating disorders, compulsions, anxiety, and depression.
Weinstein emphasized that parallel mental health treatment is essential for patients undergoing weight loss therapies. She noted that weight reduction can improve self-esteem and energy, while reducing the emotional suffering associated with obesity stigma.
Weinstein added that patients frequently experience relief from constant food worries and the permanent struggle against hunger. However, she stressed that weight loss does not guarantee an improved body image, as self-perception sometimes fails to track physical changes, leaving dissatisfaction unresolved.
Demographics and Global Search Trends
The Winnin survey found that young adults aged 25 to 34 show the highest interest in GLP-1 content on social media. However, teenagers aged 13 to 17 are also actively searching for information on slimming pens.
On a global level, Brazil ranks among the top three countries interacting with the hashtag #GLP1Community, generating 209.8 percent of accesses. Mexico leads global engagement with 343.9 percent of interactions, while India ranks third with 43.9 percent.
