Why do adolescents and (sometimes very young) children engage in such a practice? “There is often an underlying psychiatric component in these children who are simply looking to relax or self-medicate“, explains to CNN the head of the division of medical toxicology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Anthony Pizon. As is often the case, social networks are also not innocent in promoting this kind of “trending” behavior. ” among a young audience. Thus, the keyword “WhipTok” recently made the rounds on TikTok, bringing together videos highlighting the inhalation of substances, including nitrous oxide.
“It’s crazy”: this new trend among young people which is cause for concern among health professionals
Effects similar to those of alcohol poisoning
A practice that is not without risk for pediatrician Betty Choi, who warns that “chroming can become addictive when done repeatedly” and indicates that “the short-term effects, which can be immediate and last for a few hours, are similar to those of alcohol poisoning“. An observation shared by Professor Anthony Pizon: “There may be a mixture of euphoria with dizziness, clumsiness, slurred speech, or disinhibition. Nausea, vomiting, heart problems, seizures, muscle weakness, drowsiness, or difficulty breathing are also possible.“. He also adds that he “There are serious risks of short- and long-term abuse of these products, and sometimes children who engage in this activity are likely to seek out more potent drugs.“
In certain cases, the practice of chroming can even lead to a fatal outcome, and this in an unpredictable manner, all depending on the quantity and nature of the product used, as well as the method and frequency of inhalation.
