In a peculiar revelation that has captured the curiosity of many, a 27-year-old mother from New Orleans, Dreka Martin, has openly confessed to her daily habit of consuming an entire bottle of Johnson’s Baby Powder. This astonishing confession comes after she has already spent close to $4,000 on her peculiar craving just this year.
Dreka Martin’s unusual relationship with baby powder began when she was a child. She would occasionally taste the skin treatment after showering. However, her peculiar habit escalated around ten years ago when she started craving it regularly.
Today, she unabashedly admits to devouring a 623g (22 oz) bottle of Johnson’s Aloe & Vitamin E baby powder daily, and she insists that she would choose this over “normal food” without hesitation. What intrigues her most about consuming the white powder is the sensation of “melting it” in her mouth by chewing it for up to 40 seconds before swallowing it.
Despite the hefty price tag, spending $14 a day on baby powder since January, Dreka claims that she has never experienced any health or digestive issues as a result of her consumption. Johnson’s, on the other hand, emphasizes that their baby powder is intended “for use on the skin only” and explicitly warns against ingestion.
One of the more concerning aspects of Dreka’s unusual addiction is the fear that her three-year-old son, Faiz Palmer, will follow in her footsteps. She reveals that when she applies baby powder to her son after his bath, he often asks for some after witnessing her eat it. This behavior understandably worries her.
Dreka attributes her unusual craving to pica, an eating disorder characterized by the compulsion to consume non-food items with little or no nutritional value. Pica can manifest in various forms, ranging from the consumption of stones, sand, and dirt to talcum powder. It is most commonly observed in individuals with learning disabilities and during pregnancy.
Dreka acknowledges that she has tried to hide her addiction from friends and family, but it becomes challenging when she can’t speak due to her mouth being full of baby powder. She has faced judgment and concerns about her health from those close to her, which sometimes upsets her.
Describing her addiction, Dreka says, “I love eating baby powder. It tastes exactly how it smells. It’s just something I do to cope. It just makes me feel good and makes me happy. It’s an addiction that I try to stop, but I just can’t. When I think about it, my mouth waters. It’s gotten to the point where I eat baby powder, and I don’t even care about eating real food. If I had the choice between eating real food and baby powder, I’d choose baby powder. I would spend my last dollar on it because I need it so much.”
Dreka’s condition is believed to be linked to traumatic life events, and she reports that her addiction worsened in 2014 and again in January 2023 following the deaths of two loved ones. During her pregnancy, doctors even had to administer six blood transfusions to combat her cravings as they believed they were related to low iron levels. She has since resumed eating baby powder after her son’s birth but is now taking iron pills to control her cravings.
Despite the potential health risks and concerns for her son’s future, Dreka admits that she has no plans to stop her peculiar habit anytime soon. She acknowledges that her TikTok account, where she shares her addiction, has garnered both support and mockery. She hopes to raise awareness for those who may be struggling with similar issues and assures them they are not alone.
In conclusion, Dreka Martin’s unusual addiction to Johnson’s Baby Powder shines a light on the complexities of pica, an eating disorder that compels individuals to consume non-food substances. Her candid admission serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and supporting individuals dealing with uncommon cravings and addictions while also raising awareness about the potential dangers associated with such behaviors.