Cinnamon, nutmeg and marshmallows provide more than a taste of holiday spice or a sugar rush. They are the ingredients for recipes for trendy risky games played by many to disasterous consequences. "The envelope is always being pushed to create something new that will get attention, potentially create a drug-like effect and can pass under the radar of law enforcers," says Christina Hantsch, MD, toxicologist, Department of Emergency Medicine at Loyola University Health System.
Cinnamon Challenge Causes Breathing Issues
According to information in the American Association of Poison Control Center's National Poison Data System, which collects information in near real-time about every call made to poison centers across the U.S., the number of calls to poison centers in 2012 concerning intentional misuse or abuse of cinnamon by teens ages 13 to 19 totaled 222. From Jan. 1, 2013, to Nov. 30, 2013, there were 50 such exposures reported to poison centers.
Loyola emergency medicine has experienced the dire effects of spice abuse first-hand. "A group of 9-year-olds were trying to do the Cinnamon Challenge and got caught," says Hantsch, who is a former medical director of Illinois Poison Control. "One girl had seen the videos on the Internet and wanted to try it with her friends." The Cinnamon Challenge involves trying to swallow one tablespoon of ground cinnamon without water. "The dry, loose cinnamon triggers a violent coughing effect and also a burning sensation that actually can lead to breathing and choking hazards," she said. Hundreds of videos and postings on the Internet have made it a social media sensation.
Hantsch is concerned that what was once horseplay by older teenagers is now being copied by young children. "They have
easy access to ingredients like cinnamon and marshmallows and think it is cool to do what their older peers are doing," says Hantsch.
Chubby Bunny Marshmallow Game Causes Choking
Chubby Bunny is another popular game that has an evergreen presence on YouTube and in the ER. "You stuff as many marshmallows in your mouth as possible and then try to say the words Chubby Bunny," explained Hantsch. "Two children have actually choked to death attempting this game so it is not to be taken lightly."
Nutmeg Abuse Produces a High
Ground nutmeg has been snorted, smoked and eaten in large quantities to produce a marijuana-like high. "Nutmeg contains myristicin which is a hallucinogenic, like LSD," says the toxicologist. Other common household products that are also being abused are hand sanitizer, aerosol whipped cream, aerosol cooking spray, ink markers and glue.
Spice Synthetic Marijuana A Top Substance Abuse
"There actually is a synthetic marijuana called Spice, or K2, that is very popular right now because it cannot be detected in standard drug tests," says Hantsch. "Spice is popular right now because it is marketed as a legal high, which it is not, but is dangerous because it has more adverse effects than cannabis."
According to the 2012 Monitoring the Future survey of youth drug-use trends, one in nine 12th graders in America reported using synthetic cannabinoids in the past year. This rate, unchanged from 2011, puts synthetic cannabinoids as the second most frequently used illegal drug among high school seniors after marijuana. Respiratory, cardiac and nerve damage have all been documented in relation to substance abuse by users.
"Seemingly silly games can have sinister effects and the holidays are the worst time for this to happen," says Hantsch. "Kids have more free time, greater access to the Internet and more opportunities to get together during vacations. And at Christmas, the kitchen pantry is loaded for holiday baking. Adults are wise to keep an eye on their children to make sure they are using the ingredients for their proper use."
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