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What should have been a supplement to increase muscle mass at the gym turned into a two-year nightmare for Daniel Murphy, 32. The consumer developed a severe condition of steroid-induced psychosis after unknowingly consuming supplements that were adulterated with testosterone.

Murphy is one of more than 54,000 individuals affected by a fraudulent scheme operated by the American company Paradigm Peptides. Matthew Kawa, the brand owner, was sentenced to five years and ten months in prison for selling unapproved medications, falsifying purity reports, and illegally importing ingredients from China and India. His partner and sister, Jennifer Stechkober, received a sentence of one year and four months.

Altered routine and psychotic break

Three years ago, after losing 59 kilos, Murphy sought supplements to help gain muscle mass. He decided to purchase what he thought were SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators). He trusted the labels and fake articles published on the company's website, which claimed to have rigorous test reports attesting to their 'efficacy and purity'. Consumption began in January 2023.

In a short time, Murphy's behavior changed drastically. The consumer began to exhibit insomnia, mania, and intense paranoia. The diagnosis of steroid psychosis was only confirmed when the supply of the products ran out. In an interview given to the BBC, he reported: 'I was in full psychosis. I believed that the people I loved were trying to hurt and kill me. By then, I had lost touch with reality. I couldn't make any connection to the supplements, to anything that was happening.'

The FDA, the US agency responsible for regulating food and medicine, was also investigating the company. Laboratory analyses conducted by the American body demonstrated that the Paradigm Peptides product line contained undeclared amounts of synthetic testosterone, a substance that, without medical supervision, can cause serious psychiatric disorders, liver damage, and cardiovascular problems.

Global alert

Although the conviction occurred in the United States, experts warn that the problem affects consumers worldwide. The illicit market for peptides and SARMs has shown remarkable growth over the last eighteen months, stimulated by social media influencers who promote unlicensed substances for human use.

Completely recovered, Murphy is part of a group of victims seeking legal compensation for the damages suffered. He assures that he no longer uses any type of supplement. He reinforces his warning: 'And I am speaking openly now because I don't want people to fall into the trap I fell into, the one of thinking that all supplements are safe.'

The problem related to the fate of youth goes beyond the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies, as it is directly connected to the genetic background of the nation, the future of the youth, and societal safety. Therefore, in the country, the fight against this evil is carried out not only by ensuring punishment but also by strengthening preventive measures aimed at eliminating the root causes.

For this purpose, a working group of the Agency for Narcotics and Firearms Control under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan conducted a study at the Jizzakh State Pedagogical University. The goal of the study was to prevent drug crimes and timely suppress the illegal trafficking of psychotropic substances.

The study was not limited to simple familiarization. A comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the existing prevention system at the university was conducted, including the work of prevention reception points, the activities of prevention inspectors, and the effectiveness of events held within the framework of the youth affairs and spiritual and educational work direction during the 2025–2026 academic year. This analysis allowed for the identification of both effective aspects of existing experience and areas requiring further improvement.

The analysis showed that the most important factors in protecting youth from threats are targeted prevention, legal education, and a personalized approach. From this perspective, agency specialists provided recommendations and practical advice to leaders regarding priority tasks that should be implemented in this area during the 2026–2027 academic year. Special attention was paid to a more targeted organization of preventive work, early identification of risk factors, and strengthening systemic communication with young people.

This study at the Jizzakh State Pedagogical University serves the same noble goals. Because the most effective fight against drug addiction begins not with eliminating its consequences, but with forming a stable immunity against it in the consciousness of every young person.

A randomized clinical trial conducted by scientists from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus suggests that oral semaglutide has the potential to help individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) decrease episodes of excessive alcohol consumption. The findings were published in the American Journal of Psychiatry and involved adults seeking treatment for this condition.

The study followed 50 participants with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder over eight weeks. Although the medication did not meet its primary endpoint, which was the reduction of alcohol craving measured in the lab, researchers noted improvements in several indicators of consumption and consequences related to alcoholism, strengthening the prospect of semaglutide as a future therapeutic alternative.

How the study was conducted

Researchers divided the 50 volunteers into two groups: one received oral semaglutide and the other received a placebo; the study was double-blind, meaning neither the patients nor the researchers knew who belonged to which group. The treatment lasted for eight weeks. During the first four weeks, volunteers took a daily dose of 3 mg of semaglutide, and in the subsequent four weeks, the dose was increased to 7 mg daily.

All participants had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher, presented with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder, and were seeking help to reduce or cease alcohol consumption. Before the investigation began, these participants consumed an average of about six alcoholic drinks per day and reported approximately five days of excessive consumption weekly. Additionally, 98% of them were classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as being at high or very high risk for alcohol consumption.

Reduction in excessive alcohol consumption

By the end of the eight weeks, participants who used semaglutide demonstrated fewer days of excessive alcohol consumption, consumed smaller amounts of drinks per occasion, and showed a decrease in daily alcohol craving compared to the placebo group. The treatment was also linked to a reduction in alcohol-related problems and a drop in cannabis use days among those already using the substance.

Joseph P. Schacht, an associate professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine and lead author of the study, commented to Newsweek that the results suggest the drug may be beneficial for people who have not responded well to current therapies. Schacht stated: 'This study suggests that oral semaglutide can help reduce heavy and harmful alcohol consumption, even in people who are not trying to stop drinking completely.'

Despite the positive results, the study's main objective—measuring the intensity of the urge to drink after exposure to alcohol-related stimuli in a controlled environment—did not show a statistically significant difference between the groups. Similarly, the reduction in the average daily doses consumed throughout the study did not reach statistical significance.

Weight loss did not explain the results

Semaglutide, known for its use in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, is generally associated with weight loss. However, in this specific study, this phenomenon did not occur. Researchers found no significant difference in weight loss between the groups, indicating that the reduction in alcohol consumption appears to have happened independently of changes in body weight or dietary habits.

According to the authors, this finding supports the hypothesis that the drug may be acting on brain mechanisms related to reward and alcohol craving, rather than merely through appetite suppression.

Results still need confirmation

The side effects recorded during the research were mostly mild and occurred with similar frequency in both groups. Only one participant had to discontinue treatment after developing a skin rash considered likely related to the medication. Treatment adherence remained high.

However, the researchers themselves emphasize that the results must be analyzed with caution. The study was limited to 50 participants, was conducted at a single research center, and included predominantly white individuals with overweight or obesity. For this reason, the authors advocate for larger and more extensive clinical trials to verify if the observed benefits persist in more diverse populations.

Alcohol use disorder currently has only three medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment, and no new therapy had been approved for this purpose since 2006. Given this scenario, researchers view semaglutide as a promising candidate for future clinical investigations.