☧ᛁᚻᛋ Chasing the Dragon

Several studies and growing concerns about the impact of edited, manipulated, and plastic surgery-enhanced images of celebrities and influencers on younger audiences, particularly children and teens exist.

The constant exposure to these altered images on social media can distort perceptions of beauty, body image, and even self-worth. Here are some key insights from research on this issue:

1. Impact of Social Media on Body Image
- A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that adolescents who spend more time on social media report higher levels of body dissatisfaction. This dissatisfaction is often linked to the exposure to idealized and often altered images of celebrities, influencers, and peers on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
- Platforms that rely heavily on image-based content encourage users to post the most "flawless" versions of themselves. Filters and editing apps, such as Facetune, allow users to easily change their appearance, and these altered images create an unrealistic standard of beauty.

2. Face Dysmorphia and Self-Image
- Snapchat dysmorphia" is a term coined by Dr. Neelam Vashi, a dermatologist at Boston University, to describe a growing trend where people, especially teens, seek cosmetic surgery to look like the filtered versions of themselves they see on social media.
- Face dysmorphia can develop when children and teens become accustomed to seeing overly enhanced faces on social media. The altered images can lead them to become dissatisfied with their natural appearance. This is often exacerbated by the rise of AI-driven filters that change facial features such as eye size, skin texture, and facial symmetry.

3. "Unrealistic Beauty Standards" and Disconnection from Reality
- A study by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) in the UK highlighted the harmful effects of Instagram and Snapchat on body image, especially among teens. The constant comparison to filtered and surgically enhanced celebrities led to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression.
- Young people, particularly girls, have become so conditioned to seeing these unrealistic versions of "beauty" that they start to view their unaltered appearance as undesirable. Many young people report feeling the need to edit their own photos or use filters to feel validated by their peers.
- As children see more of these enhanced faces online, their perception of beauty and normalcy shifts. They can develop a sense of disconnection from their own family members or peers, whom they may start to see as "less cool" or not fitting the media-enforced beauty ideal.

4. "Coolness" and the Desire for Celebrity-Like Features
- Psychologists argue that children and teens, who are in their formative years, are especially vulnerable to the messages they receive from media about what is "cool" or "beautiful." When celebrities and influencers undergo plastic surgery and use filters to enhance their features, they set a new, unattainable standard for what young people perceive as desirable.
- Research has shown that when children become accustomed to seeing these enhanced faces, they start to struggle with recognizing natural beauty, whether in themselves or their family members. This can lead to a breakdown in emotional connection and a desire for superficial perfection, causing a rejection of the natural, familial aesthetic.
- Self-objectification is also an issue: girls, in particular, begin to evaluate their own worth based on appearance and external validation from peers or online interactions. This can contribute to a detachment from their real-life relationships.

5. Psychological Impact on Younger Children
- Pre-teen and even younger children have started to show symptoms of dissatisfaction with their bodies and appearance. A study in the International Journal of Eating Disorders found that children as young as 6 years old express body image concerns, influenced by the images they see in the media.
- Some kids no longer find their unfiltered reflection or their family members as "cool" or "good-looking" because they don't resemble the enhanced images they've come to accept as the norm.

6. Digital Media Literacy and Disconnection from Reality
- The lack of awareness about photo-editing tools and the ease with which images are manipulated contributes to a skewed sense of reality. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Youth Studies found that only 27% of young people aged 11 to 16 understood the extent to which images they saw online had been edited.
- As younger children are exposed to these manipulated images before they develop critical thinking skills, their ability to discern reality from enhancement is diminished. This can result in a long-term struggle with accepting their natural appearance and fostering relationships with people who don't adhere to these beauty standards.

Celebrity and Influencer Culture
- The growing popularity of influencers and celebrities who are transparent about their cosmetic enhancements, such as the Kardashians or Instagram influencers, can create a sense of normalcy around plastic surgery. Children and teens may come to see surgical procedures as necessary for being "cool" or attractive.
- Studies have shown that children exposed to social media platforms where influencers openly discuss their plastic surgery or beauty treatments are more likely to desire similar procedures. This fosters a belief that one must go through these drastic measures to achieve success or popularity.

The continuous exposure to edited, manipulated, and plastic surgery-enhanced faces on social media is creating serious psychological and emotional consequences for younger generations. Kids are not only developing a sense of dissatisfaction with their natural appearance but are also struggling to relate to family members or peers who don’t conform to the same beauty ideals they see online. The combination of unrealistic standards, constant comparison, and the normalization of surgical enhancements is leading to a widespread mental health crisis around body image, particularly among young people.

Cosmetic surgery and non-surgical enhancements have become increasingly popular in the quest to achieve a certain beauty standard, but the potential risks, side effects, and costs are often underestimated. Here’s a breakdown of some common procedures, their dangerous side effects, and their expensive, never-ending maintenance cycles.

1. Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
- What it is: The BBL involves removing fat from areas of the body via liposuction (usually the abdomen, thighs, or back) and injecting it into the buttocks.
- Cost: Typically $5,000 to $15,000 per surgery.
- Risks:
- Fat embolism: Fat can accidentally be injected into large veins, travel to the heart or lungs, and cause death. BBLs have one of the highest mortality rates among cosmetic surgeries (1 in 3,000 surgeries).
- Infections: Post-operative infections can lead to painful abscesses or require corrective surgeries.
- Asymmetry & lumps: Fat can redistribute unevenly, creating irregular shapes or lumps.
- Long-term maintenance: Since the body absorbs some of the transferred fat, additional surgeries are often required to maintain the desired look, leading to an endless cycle of high costs and health risks.

2. Botox
- What it is:Botox is a neurotoxin derived from Clostridium botulinum that temporarily paralyzes muscles to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
- Cost:$300 to $1,000 per session, with treatments needed every 3-6 months.
- Risks:
- Toxin migration: The neurotoxin can sometimes spread beyond the injection site, causing drooping eyelids, asymmetrical facial expressions, or difficulty swallowing.
- Addiction: Since Botox only lasts a few months, many people become psychologically and physically dependent on regular injections to maintain their look.
- Cumulative cost: Over the course of a decade, regular Botox sessions can easily amount to $20,000 to $50,000.

3. Filler (Restylane, Juvederm)
- What it is: Injectable fillers, such as hyaluronic acid, are used to add volume to the face, smooth out wrinkles, and enhance lips or cheeks.
- Cost:$600 to $2,000 per session, with maintenance needed every 6-18 months.
- Risks:
- Pillow face: Overuse of fillers can lead to a swollen, unnatural appearance, commonly called "pillow face." This happens when too much filler is injected, or it doesn’t break down properly, causing excessive puffiness.
- Blindness: In rare cases, fillers injected incorrectly into blood vessels can cause blockages that lead to blindness or tissue necrosis (death of the skin).
- Non-reversibility: Some fillers, like Restylane, can remain in the body for years, and their effects are not easily reversible.
- Annual costs: Many people end up spending $10,000 or more per year just to maintain their filler-enhanced appearance.

4. Liposuction
- What it is: A surgical procedure that removes fat deposits from specific areas of the body.
- Cost:$3,000 to $10,000 per procedure.
- Risks:
- Lumps and bumps: Post-operative fat often doesn't heal evenly, leading to **lumpy, bumpy, or uneven skin.
- Internal injuries: Incorrect use of the cannula (the tube used for fat removal) can puncture internal organs, leading to life-threatening complications.
- Infection and scarring: Surgery leaves scars and can lead to serious infections, requiring hospitalization.
- Permanent disfigurement: Over-removal of fat can cause unnatural body contours that are difficult to correct.

5. Ozempic (Semaglutide) for Weight Loss
- What it is: A diabetes medication that has gained popularity for off-label use in weight loss due to its appetite-suppressing effects.
- Cost: $900 to $1,200 per month (not typically covered by insurance unless used for diabetes treatment).
- Risks:
- “Ozempic face”: Rapid weight loss can lead to loss of volume in the face, resulting in a gaunt or prematurely aged appearance.
- Digestive issues: Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and embarrassing "explosive" bowel movements, sometimes leading to staining of clothes.
- Dependency: Many individuals who stop using the medication experience rapid weight gain, trapping them in a cycle of continued use to maintain weight loss.
- Cumulative cost: Over the course of a year, using Ozempic can cost $10,800 to $14,400, and stopping often results in regaining lost weight.

6. Breast Implants (Augmentation)
- What it is: Surgery to increase breast size using silicone or saline implants.
- Cost: $5,000 to $15,000 for the initial surgery, with replacement every 10-15 years.
- Risks:
- Capsular contracture: Scar tissue can form around the implant, causing pain, stiffness, and distortion.
- Implant rupture: Implants can break, leaking silicone or saline into the body, requiring corrective surgery.
- Breast implant illness: Some women experience a range of symptoms (fatigue, pain, brain fog) due to an inflammatory response to their implants, leading to the need for implant removal.
- Lifetime costs: Replacement surgeries and potential complications can drive the total cost well over $30,000 to $50,000 over a lifetime.

7. Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)
- What it is: Surgery to change the shape of the nose.
- Cost:$5,000 to $15,000 per procedure.
- Risks:
- Breathing difficulties: Poor surgical technique can cause permanent breathing issues, requiring revision surgery.
- Botched results: The nose may heal in ways the surgeon didn’t intend, leaving asymmetry or other cosmetic issues.
- Multiple surgeries: Many patients require revision surgeries to correct aesthetic or functional problems, further increasing costs.

8. Addiction to Cosmetic Enhancements
- Cosmetic surgery can become psychologically addictive. Like "chasing the white dragon," there is often a belief that “one more procedure” will finally bring happiness or perfection.
- The societal pressure to adhere to ever-changing beauty trends drives many to continuously undergo new procedures.
- Financial consequences: Some individuals take out loans or go into deep debt just to afford the latest cosmetic trend, often spending upwards of $50,000 to $100,000 over a lifetime on surgeries and maintenance.

9. Psychological Effects
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): A mental health condition where people perceive defects in their appearance that others don’t see. Cosmetic surgery can sometimes worsen BDD and lead to depression, anxiety, or dissatisfaction with the results.
- Temporary happiness: Many patients report an initial boost in confidence, but this often fades, leading to a cycle of seeking out more procedures in search of elusive, lasting happiness.

Final Thoughts on the "Trendy Look"
- Cosmetic procedures are marketed as quick fixes to achieve a socially-desirable look, but the risks, costs, and emotional toll often far outweigh the benefits.
- The constant pressure to keep up with trends can lead people down a dangerous, expensive path, one filled with health risks, physical complications, and endless spending to maintain a fleeting sense of self-esteem.

In summary, these trends come with serious side effects and financial burdens. The allure of perfection and societal acceptance pushes many into a cycle of spending, procedures, and ultimately, dissatisfaction.


The idea of the body as a work of art, as referenced by figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger or supermodels like Bella Hadid, highlights the discipline and dedication needed to achieve certain physical ideals. For them, the body is a canvas to sculpt with determination and hard work, and for some, this can indeed be inspiring. But where do we draw the line when we invite millions into the intimate view of someone's appearance, commodifying it for marketing or simply showcasing the human condition?

While these images may inspire some, they can also have devastating effects on impressionable minds, leading many—especially those who lack the same financial or emotional resources—to resort to extreme, dangerous measures to replicate these ideals, or rather illusions. Many may take out loans they can’t afford or engage in self-destructive behavior to achieve a look that has been glamorized through filters, surgery, or celebrity culture.

In contrast, ancient wisdom traditions like Ayurveda teach the importance of balance. Perhaps if we adopted a more balanced approach in our media and culture, such as adding warnings when images are edited or manipulated, we could diminish the obsessive focus on outer appearance. While it may seem tedious to constantly remind people what’s real and what isn’t, this mindfulness could ultimately ease some of the pressure on individuals to chase unattainable beauty standards.

Our brains are wired to notice and react to these manipulations, so being aware of the power and impact of these tools is essential. While it’s true that no one is obligated to be a role model, there is a certain level of awareness and responsibility when millions are watching. And therein lies the darker truth—extremes draw attention. The grotesque and bizarre have become so glamorized that simple, healthy, and balanced appearances are dismissed as "basic."

Ultimately, as a society, we must question the impact of glorifying unattainable perfection and reflect on the psychological toll it takes on the vulnerable. The human condition, in its many forms, needs more celebration in its natural and balanced state.

At one point in your life, you will have to ask yourself is the negativity actually real or just part of a marketing scheme-an elaborate deeply rooted one. It can be the biggest breakthrough to realize that so much unhappiness is merely a reaction to the constant steady stream of carefully crafted chaos to keep you in a state of rejecting the serenity that can exist before the predictable anti-entropy of death arrives.

Our diet is not just what we put in our bodies, but everything we read, consume, watch and engage with both in the real physical 4D world and the glowing orbs we clutch to everywhere we go, aka phones, screens, etc.

T.S. Eliot – The Hollow Men (1925)
On paralysis of the will:
"We are the hollow men, we are the stuffed men. Leaning together, headpiece filled with straw."
Eliot’s poem is about spiritual and existential paralysis, where characters are trapped in a sterile, meaningless existence. The "hollow men" are unable to act or escape, stuck in a liminal state, neither dead nor truly alive.

"Perhaps home is not a place but simply an irrevocable condition."