Earlier this month Mr Mark Ferguson (London Rhinology) was interviewed by Robert Jackman at The Spectator about a new nasal product. Wildkraut – also known as Energy Sniff – is a powdered supplement which offers a dose of caffeine, but in the form of a white powder intended to be snorted.
Mark was asked by The Spectator to comment on the new products but warned Spectator readers that prolonged usage of snorted products could cause irritation and nosebleeds, or even nasal obstruction: ‘The nose is an extremely delicate organ. Its lining – the nasal mucosa – is thin, highly vascular, and designed for one purpose: conditioning air as you breathe.’ You can read the full article here: ‘Clean Cocaine’ isn’t worth it | The Spectator
Mark has two main concerns about products like Energy Sniff, which he is keen to share on his website:
- “The first problem is powders can cause inflammation, immune dysfunction, altered mucus production, and irritation of the nasal lining. They can trigger chronic rhinitis, congestion, sneezing and mucosal breakdown. In some cases, they can damage the sense of smell if they cause chemicalinduced inflammation or lesions. There is also a small chance of sensitisation; where repeated exposure leads to allergy to one of the ingredients.”
- “The second problem I have with Energy Sniff is how how these products affect adolescents – the packaging and flavouring appear designed to appeal to younger users. The branding mimics the aesthetic of illicit drug paraphernalia: brightly coloured tubes, ‘sniff for energy’ messaging and a ritualised snorting action. That risks glamorising the behaviour of snorting substances, creating a dangerous parallel to cocaine use. Normalising the act of sniffing powders to feel energised is not a trivial concern, especially for impressionable adolescents.”
Mark’s overall recommendation is not to use these products at all: “Just because something is legal and marketed as ‘natural’ doesn’t mean it is safe. We simply don’t know enough about what repeated exposure to these powders does to the nose or lungs, and the potential for harm is real.”
Surely a double espresso will do the trick instead?