AN URGENT warning is being issued after young people suffered serious injuries from a “dangerous” trend.
The number of youngsters being rushed to hospital has been rising since an item intended to be used for catering purposes became readily available.
AlamyAn urgent warning is being issued after young people suffered serious injuries from a ‘dangerous’ trend (stock image)[/caption]
GettyBrits are being warned about improper use of Smartwhip canisters[/caption]
Teens and young people are using the product to get “high” but are being left with mental health issues, addictions and even paralysis.
Smartwhip bottles contain nitrous oxide and are available over the counter as they’re used to make instant cream.
But, teens and youngsters alike are hopping on a trend where they inhale the bottle’s contents – and being raced to hospital as a result.
Small empty aluminium canisters, which once contained laughing gas or ‘hippy crack’, are not an uncommon sight on the streets.
They are usually inhaled using a balloon.
But Smartwhip bottles are 76 times stronger than the small canisters – and youngsters are said to be inhaling straight from the larger container.
Those who overuse Smartwhips are easily recogniseable due to a condition dubbed “whip mouth”, which changes the pitch of the voice and sees words sound slurred.
A&E departments have seen admissions numbers of users overdosing on nitrous oxide shoot up in the last year – which is said to coincide with Smartwhip bottles becoming more easily available.
Experts are now warning of the dangers as they can make users emotionally vulnerable and even lead to a damaging addiction.
Nurse Kelly Hughes, who has worked across the Black Country and Birmingham, told the Express & Star: “We are seeing more young people becoming incoherent and displaying anxiety because they have taken too much nitrous oxide.
“Their voices can change as well when they have so called ‘whip mouth’, which is easy to spot.”
She added: “The Smartwhip canisters are so much more dangerous than the small canisters.
“We have also seen users suffer from mental health problems.”
One 22-year-old user, who did not want to be named, said: “Smartwhips changed everything, I was not addicted until they came along, I have done four bottles in one night, spending over £100.
“I know now not to answer the phone when I am using it.
“Everyone can tell because of ‘whip mouth’. People can tell a mile off – my voice does not even sound like my own.
“You would have had to use about 20 small canisters to get so high to get ‘whip mouth’ but Smartwhip are so much stronger.
“I know I should not inhale directly from the bottle but I can’t stop myself.”
The Smartwhip canisters are so much more dangerous than the small canisters.
Kelly Hughes
The bottles cost between £25 and £40 each.
Government drugs advice website Talk to Frank is clear about the dangers of laughing gas and urges those who are using it to seek help or advice.
The website said: “It is very dangerous to inhale nitrous oxide directly from the canister, and doing it in an enclosed space is also very dangerous.
“If you take too much nitrous oxide you risk falling unconscious and/or suffocating from the lack of oxygen. People have died this way.”
Prolonged use of laughing gas can cause long-term health problems.
Talk to Frank warned: “Heavy regular use of nitrous oxide can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12 and to a form of anaemia.
“Severe B12 deficiency can lead to serious nerve damage, causing tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes.
“This can be very painful and make walking difficult. It can even lead to paralysis, and the damage may be lasting.”
How dangerous is nitrous oxide and what are the side effects?
Nitrous oxide can cause dizziness and affect your judgement, creating a risk of accidents.
In large quantities it can also cause the user to faint or pass out.
If nitrous oxide is inhaled through the mouth from a pressurised gas canister or in a confined space it can cause sudden death through lack of oxygen.
Heavy, regular use of the drug can cause a deficiency of vitamin B12 and a form of anaemia.
Severe vitamin B deficiency can cause serious nerve damage.
One woman was left paralysed from the chest down after inhaling 15 balloons of ‘hippy crack’ every weekend. For more information, see drugs advice site, Frank.