Craze: Dietary Supplement Contains Methamphetamine-like Stimulant

Consumer Reports released information recently that the popular body-building supplement known as Craze, a drug that contains a methamphetamine-like stimulant, was not previously studied in humans and could cause serious health complications for some.

A recent study regarding the supplement states that pharmaceuticals and banned substances have been detected in hundreds of "natural" dietary supplements, commonly bought by many to improve their physical appearance or workout routine. Many of the supplements can even be purchased online and from other countries were certain drugs may be legal but detrimental to your health.

The study authors purchased the product from American and European online retailers and from a U.S. retail store. Two laboratories independently identified the substance in the product.

"what's particularly alarming about finding a completely new drug, in this case a close cousin of methamphetamine, is that we have no idea how it will affect the body," Dr. Peter Cohen of the Harvard Medical School said, via a press release. "Will it be addictive? Will it stimulate the heart and increase the risk of heart attacks? It has never been studied in humans, so we don't know."

The product is made by Driven Sprots Inc., and allegedly contains extracts from dendroium orchid.

The FDA was informed about these results in May 2013 and has taken no action. The supplement is still available online and through big box retailers.

More information regarding this study can be found via the journal Drug Testing and Analysis. 

According to Medline Plus, this compound can carry several addictive and dangerous qualities that may lead to serious health problems. They include the following, courtesy of the organization: making your body temperature so high that you pass out; severe itching; broken teeth and dry mouth, and thinking and emotional problems.