An energizing powder with high concentrations of caffeine and taurine, which offers effects similar to those of cocaine, is the new international trend that is also invading our country. Doctors warn that it can cause psychotic episodes, and in large quantities it can be life-threatening.
Powder that imitates cocaine is sold freely on the Internet – Photo Shutterstock
According to the manufacturers, the product contains high doses of caffeine and taurine. They boast that the effects are visible after 20 minutes and last for hours, according to the Observer.
Specifically, the powder is a blend of caffeine, creatine, L-citrulline, taurine, beta alanine, maltodextrin and L-arginine.
“Make no mistake, Sniffy is legal”, say the producers, who admit that they use the resemblance to the high-risk drug, cocaine, as a marketing strategy.
“The real problem is the message behind it and its creepy resemblance to cocaine. This product trivializes the use of a party stimulant and popularizes the world of cocaine in one gesture, which is outrageous”, explains Bernard Basset, specialist in public health and president of the France Addictions Association, according to Huffpost.
Overdose affects the body similar to a high-risk drug
Specialists in the field point out that the effects can be fatal in case of overdose.
“The extremely concentrated composition in taurine and caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, sometimes beyond its physiological limits, this means an acceleration of brain metabolism, which leads to neuron dysfunction. In some people, psychotic phenomena may occur, meaning psychomotor agitation, hallucinations, insomnia, all of which do nothing but accentuate the body’s tiredness. In overdose, it can cause convulsions and also phenomena of violence with aggression and self-aggression. And taurine is an excitatory amino acid, which only artificially stimulates the central nervous system. Beyond the effects on the brain, they will also activate the vegetative system, this means an acceleration of the heart pulse, with the risk of palpitations, rhythm disturbances, which can cause important complications, a sudden onset of hypertension can cause a hemorrhage at the level of the brain. We have to look with great reserve at the consumption of such products over a long period of time or in very large quantities, because the body’s response in an acute situation cannot be predicted. Many of the substances also act indirectly by releasing hormones.“, detailed Radu Țincu, the head of the toxicology discipline at the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine, for “Adevărul”.
Teenagers are vulnerable to these substances, “reacts in an extremely brutal way, immediately, sometimes in excess of what should happen”. Even adults, especially those with chronic, neurological or cardiovascular diseases, are not out of danger, said the ATI primary doctor from the Floreasca Emergency Clinical Hospital.
Authorities should discuss limiting the sale of these types of substances to certain ages. We remind you that energy drinks can no longer be sold to minors in Romania, since the beginning of the year.
What is happening in France
In France, the energizing powder that is inhaled through the nose has sparked a whole public debate, with Frédéric Vailletoux, the French Minister of Health and Prevention, saying in May that he wants to “ban as soon as possible”. He drew attention to the fact that under the pretext of selling something legal, original, the producers “tries to attract young people to the use of tobacco, drugs and ultimately to addiction“.
A short time ago, the Minister of Health, Catherine Vautrin, announced that the white powder with an energizing effect was banned.
“As the government announced a few weeks ago, last night we signed the decree banning the sale of energy powder in France. This nasal powder encourages young people to take drugs, so it was necessary to act quickly. My priority is the health of our young fellow citizens.”transmitted this via the X network, formerly Twitter.
