Most of the coverage of the looksmaxxing trend has framed it as a viral aesthetic phenomenon. From the perspective of clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner, it looks like something else: the convergence of two clinical pictures — body dysmorphic disorder and stimulant use disorder — repackaged in the language of self-optimization and delivered to adolescent boys at scale.

In this episode, Dr. Glasner discusses what the trend actually is, clinically, tracing its core practices to the diagnostic criteria for BDD — a recognized mental health condition with an elevated suicide rate, typically beginning between ages 12 and 13, and just as common in men as in women. She summarizes what published research now shows about social media and BDD, including recent work on adolescents’ use of filters and self-image. And from an addiction perspective: how the looksmaxxing community’s normalization of anabolic steroids, SARMs, peptides, and amphetamines is creating a permission structure for stimulant use in early adolescence - and the overdose risk that comes with it.

The Clavicular case is the entry point. The 20-year-old “looksmaxxing” influencer collapsed during a livestream in Miami this month in a suspected overdose, and afterward told followers that “all of the substances are just a cope trying to feel neurotypical while being in public.” That statement has important implications self-medication framing layered on top of a community-validated drug culture, in a young man whose audience includes thirteen-year-olds.

You can watch the full episode here:

Dr. Glasner closes with a summary of science-based treatments for BDD and stimulant addiction — and with internist Dr. Lucy McBride’s recent framework for evaluating health information from influencers, applied to the specific case of a 20-year-old livestreamer recommending hormones, stimulants, and off-label growth hormone to minors.

If you or someone you love is in crisis: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988, or visit

https://988lifeline.org

SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) — 24/7, English and Spanish.

Further reading:

Loannou et al. (2024), #NoFilter: The impact of social media body dysmorphic disorder in adults, Mental Health Science.

McBride, L. (2026), Yes, Credentials Do Matter, Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper.

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The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast brings clinical and addiction science to the mental health stories everyone is already talking about.

📩 Questions or topic suggestions: AskDrGlasner@gmail.com

🧩 More: https://drglasner.com