The linked tumblr post explains in detail a dangerous scam going around twitter’s trans community.

A product called “I can’t believe it’s not estrogen” is being advertised as a natural replacement for estrogen. It is packaged in a trendy, eye-catching way and it is sold as an OTC supplement for people who can’t get access to actual HRT.

In reality, it is at best a scam that will never ship and it aims at collecting trans women’s personal details in order to harass them later on. At worst, it is a scam that directly aims at physically harming trans women. The substance contained in the advertised pills is ashwagandha, which boosts the production of the hormones your body produces on its own (i.e it would boost T production for a trans woman). Furthermore, the dosage found in these pills increases anxiety levels. If taken for several weeks in a a row, it will cause something called “serotonin syndrome”, which will send you to the ER, potentially at death’s door.

If you are in queer twitter circles, spread the warning around to keep our community safe.

  • LinkOpensChest.wav
    link
    101 year ago

    No actually, this needs to be in the body of the post.

    This isn’t someone looking to make a quick buck off the backs of desperate trans women.

    This is someone who is gathering a hit list. This person may use your info for active swatting, but not just that, this product will kill you.

    This product is outright dangerous. This dose of ashwagandha is ASTRONOMICAL. It’s anxiolytic - meaning that it causes agitation and anxiety - and if you take this dose every day you’ll be developing serotonin syndrome within 4-6 weeks, and an ER trip/death within 8. And if you’re on medications that interact (SSRIs, antipsychotics, most kinds of opiates) or alcohol, this risk is magnified.

    This person wants to KILL YOU.

    I’m quoting nophicastits in that thread. This is so dangerous on every level. Please spread the word to everyone you know. I’m especially concerned about trans people in states like mine where it’s hard to access trans healthcare in general.

    • @strangerloop@beehaw.orgOP
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      fedilink
      61 year ago

      Yeah… The whole deal with states banning gender affirming care is the perfect breeding ground for scammers. We all need to keep an eye out