Health care providers are reminding parents that common holiday baking ingredients, such as cinnamon, nutmeg and even marshmallows, are often abused by children and teens as a way to obtain a cheap high and impress their peers.
“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," said Christina Hantsch, MD, toxicologist, Department of Emergency Medicine at Loyola University Health System.
Hantsch, who also is the former medical director of Illinois Poison Control, cautions parents to keep an eye on their children to make sure they are using holiday baking ingredients for their proper use. She is concerned that what was once horseplay by older teenagers is now being copied by young children.
Loyola recently treated a group of 9-year-olds who were attempting the Cinnamon Challenge, which 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. The kids learned about the challenge after seeing Internet videos and postings that promoted the “legal and cheap high."
In 2011, poison centers received 51 calls about teen exposure to cinnamon. In the first three months of 2012, poison centers received 139 calls. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports that of those, 122 were classified as intentional misuse or abuse and 30 callers required medical evaluation.
Another challenge raising concern is called Chubby Bunny, in which a person stuffs as many marshmallows in their mouth as possible and then tries to say the words Chubby Bunny. “Two children have actually choked to death attempting this game so it is not to be taken lightly," Hantsch said.
Ground nutmeg also has been snorted, smoked and eaten in large quantities to produce a marijuana-like high. Nutmeg contains myristicin which is a hallucinogenic, like LSD. Other common household products that are also being abused are hand sanitizer, aerosol whipped cream, aerosol cooking spray, ink markers and glue.
