Diet drugs

Ever wonder how film stars manage to quickly get into the right shape and size for their films or keep changing their appearance so frequently? Turns out the innumerable interviews that they give before a film release, where they cite ‘rigorous workouts, determination, healthy food, or even their good genes’ as the reasons for their weight loss, are all humbug. 

While eating right and exercise is necessary for such enviable bodies, in reality, it is very often drugs that do the job so convincingly!

SIDE EFFECTS
 Irregular heartbeats 
 Mood swings 
 Restlessness 
 High BP 
 Chest pain 
 Tremors 
 Hallucinations 
 Fever 
 Hair loss 
 Impotence 
 Constipation

Experts say ‘diet pills’ like Modafinil, Adderall and a few more are a big thing right now as they help build muscle and promote temporary weight loss. “They increase metabolism and heart rate, and are thus used for weight loss, but a person can get addicted to them easily. They contain amphetamine, which is a stimulant that keeps you awake and energetic against the biological clock of the body,” says S.K. Sinha, Zonal Director, Narcotics Control Bureau, Bengaluru. And though there are no hard numbers on the use of these drugs, sources say it’s growing. 

Fitness trainer Kiran Dembla says, “Addiction does not discriminate — it can affect anyone. We should understand that celebrities are also human beings and can fall prey easily. Some do it just to keep the weight off as they need to stay slim.”

Kiran Dembla

Another fitness trainer Pradeep, who had previously trained Puri Jagannadh and Charmme Kaur, reveals, “They work incredibly hard. But even after working hard, if it doesn’t help, they do take steroids.”

While many celebrities have succumbed to using ‘diet drugs’, actress Rakul Preet Singh argues that it is possible to get a perfect body without drugs and steroids. “No doubt, it’s very difficult to get into the right shape and size, especially for someone like me, who is not naturally skinny or thin. But, I have to find time for workouts,” she admits.

Rakul adds, “If we put on a few pounds, people immediately talk about it and at times, end up being too critical. That’s why it’s always better to maintain a balanced lifestyle so that you don’t torture your body with extreme weight loss regimes, using any kind of diet drugs. Remember that there’s no magic pill when it comes to losing weight and you need to adopt healthy eating habits and exercise.”

In an image-conscious industry, actresses are looking for a quick and easy way to stay thin without thinking about the side effects, says Dr Hemanth Kumar, of Yashoda Hospitals. He explains, “Adderall is used sometimes for staying awake during exams and for high performance, but one can get addicted to it. The weight loss happens basically because Adderall, a prescribed drug used for treating ADHD and narcolepsy, kills the appetite. Medically treated, patients are under supervision and can be given these drugs for a certain period of time. This is very different from addiction.”

And even though Adderall is banned in India, it can be bought online. “People are well-versed with the Darknet,” adds S.K. Sinha.