This video went viral. I just can’t wrap my brain around how he thought this was a good idea.
Weight loss drugs sold online can make you sick
“Drop 10 pounds before Thanksgiving!” That’s all over my social media feeds because I was a dope and clicked on a video of a gal showing off her svelte new figure.
Ads for Ozempic and other weight loss meds are everywhere. The weight loss drug biz is a $100 billion industry. I know a bunch of people who have taken Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus or one of the other options, and I bet you do, too.
Some folks shy away from going to the doctor for these prescription drugs, and I get that — it can be a hassle, embarrassing or just too expensive. No wonder nonprescription options are popular, too. Before you jump on the latest health trend, let me break it down and arm you with the facts.
Let’s talk numbers
Where there’s money, there are scammers. Cybersecurity firm BrandShield recently shut down 250 sites selling dangerous and sometimes deadly Ozempic counterfeits.
Online pharmacies sell weight loss drugs labeled as GLP-1 or compounded semaglutide for a couple of hundred bucks a month. These contain the same active ingredient as the prescription drugs.
The difference is they’re not regulated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness or quality. Taking one could be totally fine … or you might end up taking meds from a compounding facility that cuts corners.
Don’t fall for marketing gimmicks
Take Kourtney Kardashian’s Lemme brand. They sell a $90 GLP-1 Daily supplement they claim stops your cravings. It’s made of fruit extracts and saffron and probably costs about 8 cents a pill to manufacture. Spoiler: It doesn’t work.
All over TikTok, influencers are showing off #inspiring health journeys while earning up to $30,000 a month with sponsored posts. They’re cashing in to get you to buy these trendy drugs, and I bet some haven’t tried them.
Their other tricks aren’t medications at all but attempts to get views. “Oatzempic,” trending all over the internet, is an oatmeal and lime smoothie (ew) influencers claim will shave off 20 pounds a month. Uh-huh.
Get the skinny
The internet made me buy it
🎄 These viral products are exactly what you’re missing. They make excellent, really practical gifts, too, just sayin’.
- Electric lighters (38% off) work when it’s windy out and never need stinky lighter fluid.
- Pick up a rapid egg cooker (under $20), whip up some deviled eggs and be the most popular person at the holiday party.
- Make your own cappuccinos with a milk frothing wand, on sale for $8. Slam-dunk stocking stuffer!
- Stop drinking warm wine you left sitting for too long. Get a personal wineglass chiller.
- A light therapy lamp will have you dreaming of summer. Get $10 off if you click the coupon box.
- There’s never enough room when you’re cooking. Add a magnetic stove shelf (13% off) for oil and seasonings.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
🧽 No scrubs: Raise your hand if your air fryer is disgusting inside. Try this viral cleaning tip: Instead of scrubbing, squirt in some dish soap, add a little water and run it for about 3 minutes. Voila, all clean!
AI will watch everything you do
Are you behaving badly? Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison predicts that AI will soon keep you in line. In other news: MoviePass fraud exposed, Snapchat uses your face for ads, and the story behind the viral ‘Hawk Tuah’ girl.
We didn’t need this: Haliey Welch, aka the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” launched a cryptocurrency called HAWK that skyrocketed to a $490 million market cap … then plummeted by 91%. It all happened within hours. The 22-year-old says the project isn’t a cash grab. If you invested, you should talk tuah your financial advisor.
So you want to make money with YouTube. What’s the best time to post your video masterpiece to give it the best chance of going viral? Is it … 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m. or 7 p.m.?
71-year-old pole dancer
The internet can’t stop talking about her. She had a hip replacement and struggles with arthritis, but she still pulls off some incredible moves that require a whole lot of strength. Look at those biceps! I know, not tech, but wowza.
Have you seen these missing robots? In China, 12 robots were “kidnapped” from a robotics showroom by … another robot. CCTV video shows the robot thief breaking in and convincing the other machines to quit their jobs. The viral moment was just a test but still gives me the willies.
Not your dentist’s advice: TikTok’s latest stupid viral trend, oil-pulling, has people swishing cooking oil around their mouths for five to 20 minutes. Why? To whiten teeth and prevent gum disease. There’s some evidence it improves gum health, but it’s nowhere near as effective as mouthwash or, ya know, brushing your teeth.
iPhone 16 launch date: Here’s what you can expect
Mark your calendars! The iPhone 16 is dropping this September. Also, Telegram’s CEO gets arrested in France — authorities say he didn’t do enough to stop shady stuff on the app. Plus, Amazon Echo fails and fake election maps going viral.
The best times to post on Instagram
Want your posts to go viral? Timing is everything! Here are the best times to share your content and watch your engagement soar.
Another stupid viral video trend: A Maine man fired 14 rounds from a handgun at teens who ding-dong-ditched his house at 1 a.m., clipping one kid in the leg. Luckily, the teen is OK, but the homeowner faces multiple charges of assault and reckless conduct with a firearm. Tell your kids not to prank homes for video views.
♨️ Major recall: Some 3.2 million Bissell Steam Shot handheld steam cleaners shoot hot water or steam when you aren’t expecting it. Ouch. The steamers went viral on TikTok and were sold at Target, Walmart, Amazon and everywhere else. If you have one, hit this site.
🤳 How to go viral on TikTok: Since 2020, the most liked video on TikTok is a woman making funny faces while lip-syncing a catchy song. Today, a new, viral post is pretty much the same thing. So many people ask me, “How can I go viral?” The winning formula: Be young, attractive and do something easily replicated.
Not exactly K-pop going viral: “Friendly Father” is a North Korean propaganda tune praising dictator Kim Jong Un. The video features, uh, heartwarming scenes, like a military officer crying in Kim’s arms while children sing along. Gen Zers are dancing to Communist remixes for views and likes, but not everyone gets it. Here’s the full vid.
Deepfakes and Joe Biden's White House
The White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, claims viral videos of President Biden looking frail or confused are deepfakes. But are they really? Here’s the story.
Deadly viral TikTok trend: Kids and teens are huffing paint again, but this time, it has a new name: “Chroming.” A 13-year-old just died and 13.8% of U.S. eighth graders say they’ve tried inhalants at least once. Talk to your kids.
4 steps
To fall asleep on a plane. The “going-over-the-alpha-bridge” method is going viral on Instagram thanks to psychologist Erica Terblanche. Think it’d work for you? Watch the vid!
What to do after AT&T's massive data breach
Over 73 million accounts are at risk. Plus, viral claims that the world could end on April 8th, and Kia has recalled thousands of Telluride SUVs. Also, why you should watch your fingers around the new Cybertruck. OUCH!