2,4 dinitrophenol; has the inferno drug burnt out?

Germain, J ORCID: 0000-0002-9890-3798, Williamson, E and Harris, J ORCID: 0000-0001-6584-1642 2,4 dinitrophenol; has the inferno drug burnt out? Performance Enhancement and Health. ISSN 2211-2669 (Accepted)

Text 24 dinitrophenol has the inferno drug burnt out.pdf - Accepted Version Access Restricted Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (438kB)

Abstract

2,4 dinitrophenol (DNP) is an industrial chemical first used during World War I within the manufacture of explosives and ammunition. Adverse experiences from human exposure to DNP were published shortly following the war, providing evidence for the links between DNP and weight loss. Despite being banned for human consumption in the 1930s, DNPs thermogenic properties resulting in weight loss caused it to be popular among bodybuilding communities. The increased availability of online marketplaces and forums in the early 21st century saw a surge in interest around DNP for weight loss, which extended beyond bodybuilders into the general population. This resulted in increased reporting of DNP related harms and deaths in the scientific literature and media. However, in recent years, scientific and media interest in DNP has waned, coinciding with increased awareness of DNP’s risks following its reclassification as a poison, and the rise in popularity of GLP-1 medicines such as Ozempic. Whilst longer-term risks are currently unknown, GLPs are generally not considered as risky to use when compared to DNP. Furthermore, they are heavily promoted and endorsed through media, social media and by celebrities, and legally available to purchase with a prescription. This commentary article reflects on academic research and media coverage of DNP before and after the introduction of GLP-1 medicines and considers whether the concerns over use of DNP have declined or whether use has reduced. It explores the history of DNP, its shifting user demographics and its current place alongside newer and potentially safer weight loss drugs. Finally, it postulates whether DNP use has simply diminished or as online communities have become more sophisticated, discussion relating to its use has become more hidden.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Public Health Institute (PHI); 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; 1701 Psychology; 4206 Public health; 4207 Sports science and exercise
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RS Pharmacy and materia medica
Divisions:	Public and Allied Health
Publisher:	Elsevier
Date of acceptance:	19 May 2026
Date Deposited:	21 May 2026 13:24
Last Modified:	21 May 2026 13:24
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28607

View Item