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The ruling class’s declaration that “the pandemic is over” has been disproven yet again, as the 11th wave of mass COVID-19 infection is now sweeping across the US and other countries, driven by new highly transmissible variants. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has shown no signs of settling into a predictable “endemic” state falsely promised by official scientists and COVID contrarians alike.

The current surge is being propelled by two dominant variants: NB.1.8.1, dubbed “Nimbus,” and XFG, known as “Stratus,” which together represent a new phase of viral evolution. NB.1.8.1 now accounts for 43 percent of US cases, while XFG has rapidly spread worldwide and comprises the third most prevalent strain nationally.

According to the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative (PMC) from Tulane University—the most consistent public dashboard available in the US, new daily infections reached 347,000 by July 21, with forecasts suggesting this number will nearly double by next month. 

Extrapolating from these data, the PMC estimates that over the coming month there will be between 6,700 and 11,200 excess deaths due to COVID-19, while up to 3.76 million Americans will join the tens of millions more already suffering from Long COVID. Strikingly, they estimate that the average American has now been infected 3.85 times, meaning more than 1 billion COVID-19 infections have occurred since the pandemic began.

Separate data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that official deaths in the US continue to remain elevated at 10.6 percent above pre-pandemic levels, underscoring the ongoing mortality burden caused by the pandemic.

The current crisis represents the culmination of a bipartisan war on public health, which began not with Trump’s return to power but with the Biden administration’s systematic dismantling of COVID-19 protections. Biden’s September 2022 declaration that “the pandemic is over” set the stage for today’s wholesale dismantling of all public health measures under the diktats of the anti-vaccine quack Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Since taking control of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Kennedy has unleashed an unprecedented assault on federal health agencies. HHS employment has been slashed from 82,000 to 62,000 workers through mass firings, buyouts and early retirements. The agency’s 28 divisions are being consolidated to just 15, with numerous offices entirely shuttered.

A deep dive into public Facebook posts uncovers the real-world side effect patterns of GLP-1 medications, revealing what users actually experience outside of clinical trials.

Study: Harnessing Facebook to Investigate Real-World Mentions of Adverse Events of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1 RA) Medications: Observational Study of Facebook Posts From 2022 to 2024. Image Credit: zimmytws / Shutterstock

In a recent article published in the journal JMIR Infodemiology, researchers analyzed public Facebook posts to examine public discussion of adverse effects associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs).

They identified gastrointestinal (GI) issues, particularly vomiting and nausea, as the most common side effects for most GLP-1 RAs, while headache and joint pain were most frequently discussed in posts about tirzepatide. Mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression, were present but less frequently mentioned (<1% of posts) compared to GI symptoms, with depression noted in up to 1.57% of Wegovy posts.

Background

GLP-1 RAs, such as tirzepatide and semaglutide, have become widely used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes. With nearly 38 million adults in the U.S. living with diabetes and over 100 million affected by obesity, the rising demand for these drugs has caused global shortages.

Due to inadequate insurance coverage, limited availability, and high costs, many people are turning to compounded GLP-1 RAs, which are often cheaper and easier to access but lack standardized efficacy, safety, and dosage information, and their safety profile is largely unknown.

GLP-1 RAs work by enhancing insulin release, suppressing glucagon, and slowing gastric emptying, which leads to lower blood glucose levels and weight loss. However, these mechanisms may also cause significant muscle loss, gastrointestinal issues, and there is potential for malnutrition and loss of lean body mass in some individuals.

Adverse events such as mental health concerns like depression and anxiety, nausea, and vomiting have been reported. Traditional clinical trials often miss rare or long-term side effects due to limited follow-up and participant diversity.

About the Study

In this study, researchers collected public Facebook posts from U.S.-based users between 2022 and 2024 that mentioned GLP-1 RA medications, limiting their search to posts in English and pages administered in the U.S., and excluding posts from Facebook groups.

They focused on posts discussing adverse events, specifically negative psychological and physical symptoms, linked to these medications. Adverse event categories were drawn from prior literature, clinical knowledge, and a drug side-effect database, covering a wide range of symptoms from gastrointestinal to mental health issues. Duplicate posts were removed to ensure accuracy.

For analysis, researchers calculated the frequency with which specific side effects were mentioned about each medication and over time. They also tracked how adverse event mentions fluctuated during key events, including the FDA approval of Wegovy for pediatric use in December 2022, Oprah Winfrey’s public endorsement in December 2023, and the expansion of Medicare coverage for weight loss medications in March 2024.

The co-occurrence of symptoms was examined through a cluster analysis, which mapped connections between side effects frequently mentioned together, helping to identify common symptom groupings.

Key Findings

Researchers analyzed 59,293 unique public Facebook posts discussing GLP-1 RA medications. About 14% of posts referenced adverse events. General GI symptoms were the most frequently mentioned side effects. Nausea and vomiting were also common, appearing in 2–3% of posts for many drugs. For tirzepatide, headache and joint pain were more commonly mentioned than GI symptoms.

Mental health concerns like anxiety and depression were present across all medications, though at lower frequencies (mainly under 1%), with depression mentioned in 1.57% of Wegovy posts. Other notable side effects included fatigue, joint pain, hair loss, and headaches, particularly with drugs such as tirzepatide.

Temporal trends revealed that discussions of adverse events increased significantly after notable events, including government approvals, viral media coverage, celebrity endorsements, and the expansion of Medicare coverage for weight loss medications. The write-up also captures that, although the number of adverse event mentions rose over time, the proportion of posts focusing on side effects declined, reflecting a shift in online conversations toward other aspects of these drugs.

A co-occurrence network analysis revealed three clusters of frequently co-mentioned symptoms. Cluster 1 included allergies, anxiety, depression, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, fatigue, fever, hypertension, indigestion, insomnia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hives, swelling, restlessness, and seizures; Cluster 2 comprised constipation, dehydration, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, hypoglycemia, sweating, and jaundice; Cluster 3 included GI symptoms such as nausea, pancreatitis, rash, and vomiting.

Strong connections were observed between vomiting and nausea, pancreatitis and GI distress, and depression and anxiety, highlighting patterns of symptom overlap among users.

Conclusions

This study analyzed public Facebook posts to examine public discussion of adverse events associated with GLP-1 RAs from 2022 to 2024. GI issues, particularly vomiting and nausea, were the most frequently mentioned side effects. Mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression, especially with semaglutide, were also notable but occurred less often than GI symptoms, with Wegovy showing the highest depression mention rate. Social media activity spiked following celebrity endorsements, regulatory approvals, the FDA pediatric approval, and media attention, revealing how external events influence public discourse. Co-occurring symptom clusters emerged, with Cluster 1 encompassing a mix of somatic and psychological symptoms (such as allergies, anxiety, and hypertension), Cluster 2 encompassing neuromuscular and metabolic symptoms (such as dehydration, headache, and hypoglycemia), and Cluster 3 focusing on gastrointestinal distress.

Strengths of this study include its broad, real-world sample and its ability to capture underrepresented voices that are not often seen in clinical trials. However, limitations involve unknown user demographics, reliance on self-reported data, and the inability to confirm medication duration or dosage. Findings reflect self-reported symptoms from social media users, not confirmed clinical diagnoses.

Social media insights complement traditional research by surfacing potential concerns early. As the use of GLP-1 RA expands, ongoing monitoring of side effects, especially those that are underrecognized in clinical settings, is essential for a better understanding of patient experiences and guiding future studies.

Would you dab perfume on a six-month-old? Paint their tiny nails with polish that contains formaldehyde? Dust bronzer onto their cheeks?

An investigation by the Times has found that babies and toddlers are routinely exposed to adult cosmetic products, including fragranced sprays, nail polish and even black henna tattoos.

While these may sound harmless – or even Instagram-friendly – the science tells a more concerning story. Infant skin is biologically different from adult skin: it’s thinner, more absorbent and still developing.

Exposure to certain products can lead to immediate problems like irritation or allergic reactions, and in some cases, may carry longer term health-risks such as hormone disruption.

Related: Health Authorities Find Banned Substances in Hundreds of Cosmetics

This isn’t a new concern. A 2019 study found that every two hours in the US, a child was taken to hospital because of accidental exposure to cosmetic products.

Newborn skin has the same number of layers as adult skin but those layers are up to 30% thinner. That thinner barrier makes it easier for substances, including chemicals, to penetrate through to deeper tissues and the bloodstream.

Young skin also has a higher water content and produces less sebum (the natural oil that protects and moisturises the skin). This makes it more prone to water loss, dryness and irritation, particularly when exposed to fragrances or creams not formulated for infants.

The skin’s microbiome – its protective layer of beneficial microbes – also takes time to develop. By age three, a child’s skin finishes establishing its first microbiome. Before then, products applied to the skin can disrupt this delicate balance.

At puberty, the skin’s structure and microbiome change again, altering how it responds to products.

The investigation found that bronzers and nail polish were being used on young children. These products often contain harmful or even carcinogenic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate.

Toluene is a known neurotoxin, and dibutyl phthalate is an endocrine disruptor – a chemical that can interfere with hormone function, potentially affecting growth, development and fertility. Both substances can more easily pass through infants’ thinner, more permeable skin.

Even low-level exposure to formaldehyde, such as from furniture or air pollution, has been linked to higher rates of lower respiratory infections in children (that’s infections affecting the lungs, airways and windpipe).

Irritating ingredients

In the US, one in three adults experiences skin or respiratory symptoms after exposure to fragranced products. If adults are reacting, it’s no surprise that newborns and children with their developing immune systems are at even greater risk.

Perfumes often contain alcohol and volatile compounds that dry out the skin, leading to redness, itching and discomfort.

Certain skincare ingredients have also been studied for their potential to affect hormones, trigger allergies or pose long-term health concerns:

While many of these ingredients are permitted in regulated concentrations, some researchers warn of a “cocktail effect”: the cumulative impact of daily exposure to multiple chemicals, especially in young, developing bodies.

Temporary tattoos

Temporary tattoos, particularly black henna, are popular on holidays but they aren’t always safe. Black henna is a common cause of contact dermatitis in children and may contain para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical approved for use in hair dyes but not for direct application to skin.

PPD exposure can cause severe allergic reactions and, in rare cases, cancer. Children may develop hypopigmentation – pale patches where colour is lost – or, in adults, hyperpigmentation that can last for months or become permanent.

Worryingly, children exposed to PPD may experience more severe reactions later in life if they use hair dyes containing the same compound. This can sometimes lead to hospitalisation or even fatal anaphylaxis.

Because of these risks, European legislation prohibits PPD from being applied directly to the skin, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

‘Natural’ doesn’t mean harmless

Products marketed as “natural” or “clean” can also cause allergic reactions. Propolis (bee glue), for instance, is found in many natural skincare products but causes contact dermatitis in up to 16% of children.

A study found an average of 4.5 contact allergens per product in “natural” skincare ranges. Out of 1,651 “natural” personal care products on the US market, only 96 (5.8%) were free from contact allergens.

Even claims like “dermatologically tested” don’t guarantee safety; they simply mean the product was tested on skin, not that it’s free from allergens.

Babies and young children aren’t just miniature adults. Their skin is still developing and is more vulnerable to irritation, chemical absorption and systemic effects: substances that penetrate the skin can enter the bloodstream and potentially affect organs or biological systems throughout the body.

Applying adult-targeted products, or even well-meaning “natural” alternatives, can therefore carry real risks.

Adverse reactions can appear as rashes, scaling or itchiness and, in severe cases, blistering or crusting. Respiratory symptoms like coughing or wheezing should always be investigated by a medical professional.

When in doubt, keep it simple. Limit what goes on your child’s skin, especially in the early years.

Adam Taylor, Professor of Anatomy, Lancaster University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.