Hazardous Substances
Laxative Abuse (Diet Culture Danger)
Street names: Laxatives, Slimming teas, Detox teas, Skinny tea
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Temporary water weight loss (not fat)
- Bowel movement stimulation
⚠Key risks
- ELECTROLYTE DESTRUCTION — potassium loss causes heart arrhythmia and SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH
- The eating-disorder pipeline: laxative abuse is a common bulimia behavior
- Colon dependency — bowel stops working without laxatives
- 'Detox teas' marketed to teens on Instagram/TikTok contain hidden senna
- Dehydration, kidney damage
✚Overdose signs
- Irregular heartbeat, fainting
- Severe dehydration
- Muscle weakness, confusion
- Severe abdominal pain
Category comparison — Hazardous Substances
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative Abuse (Diet Culture Danger) | OTC — unrestricted; some Rx-only | ELECTROLYTE DESTRUCTION — potassium loss causes heart arrhythmia and SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH; The eating-disorder pipeline: laxative abuse is a common bulimia behavior | $5–$15 OTC |
| Potassium Cyanide (KCN) | Not a drug — regulated toxic chemical | Lethal dose ~200–300 mg — death within minutes to an hour; No antidote available outside hospital; hydrogen cyanide gas from acid contact | N/A — sometimes sold fraudulently as 'peaceful exit' scams |
| Air Duster (Computer Duster / Canned Air) | Household product — not a drug; no age restriction on purchase | SUDDEN SNIFFING DEATH — the most deadly inhalant: difluoroethane sensitizes the heart to adrenaline; a sudden fright, chase, or exertion triggers fatal cardiac arrest. First-time users die; Frostbite to lungs and airway from direct spray | $3–$8 per can at any electronics/office store |
| Gasoline / Petrol Huffing | Not a drug — fuel product | Extremely toxic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene); Sudden sniffing death — cardiac arrest | Effectively free — siphoned fuel |
| Glue / Solvent Sniffing | Not drugs — adhesives and solvents | The CLASSIC youth inhalant — peak use age 14–15; Sudden sniffing death from cardiac arrest | $1–$5 per tube/can — pocket money prices |
| Refrigerant / Freon Huffing | Not a drug — HVAC refrigerant | EXTREMELY dangerous — refrigerant gases (difluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane) cause sudden cardiac death at high rates; Frostbite to airways | Stolen/siphoned — no price, high death cost |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Laxative Abuse (Diet Culture Danger) look like?
OTC laxative pills, senna teas, 'detox/slimming' teas marketed on social media
What are the signs of a Laxative Abuse (Diet Culture Danger) overdose?
Irregular heartbeat, fainting; Severe dehydration; Muscle weakness, confusion Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
ELECTROLYTE DESTRUCTION — potassium loss causes heart arrhythmia and SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH Dependence can develop with regular use.