Appetite Suppressants and Eating Disorders

Studies have shown that 64% of individuals with eating disorders also abuse over the counter and prescription diet pills. Diet pills, also known as appetite suppressants or weight loss pills, can increase unsafe physical symptoms and effects associated with eating disorders and further complicate already dangerous behaviors such as purging, over-exercise, or restrictive eating.

Many times people do not consider diet pills as a substance that can be addictive, but diet pills often contain chemicals, such as stimulants, which are known to increase alertness, attention, and energy. Stimulants can also elevate blood pressure, heart rate and respiration and are typically prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. Diet pills include both prescription and over the counter supplements, which are used to typically reduce or control weight through suppressing appetite, increasing metabolism, reducing fat absorption, and increasing energy.

Prescription appetite suppressants on the market

There are several types of diet pills within these classifications, which include, benzphetamine, diethylpropion, mazindol, and phentermine.

Non-prescription appetite suppressants on the market

• Garcinia Cambogia
• Caffeine based supplements
• Lipozene
• Orlistat (Xenical or Alli)

Nicotine as an appetite suppressant

The idea that cigarette smoking is helpful in controlling body weight has been part of popular culture for many decades; dating back to 1930s advertisements that suggested women could smoke to help curb cravings for sweets. Nicotine, the main component of cigarettes, is thought to release neurochemicals in the brain such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which work to suppress appetite and facilitate weight loss. A study completed by the University of North Carolina Department of Psychiatry found that subjects with eating disorders of any type, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and purging disorder, had increased rates of smoking and higher nicotine dependence compared to controls