Hydrogen peroxide. You know, that solution that comes in a tall, brown bottle. You can buy it from a pharmacy or grocery store with no real restrictions. Your mom used to pour some on your knee whenever you fell and scraped it. Your skin would bubble and maybe sting a tiny bit. The antiseptic can prevent an infection from starting and growing, thanks to the release of oxygen, which is what causes foaming around the wound. Once hydrogen peroxide has come in contact with your skin, the oxygen essentially helps slough away the dead, affected skin. And according to Web MD, you can use it as a mouth rinse to “remove mucus or relieve minor mouth irritation,” as in canker sores and gingivitis.
So maybe this fact is what prompted people to suddenly start drinking hydrogen peroxide. The message going around is that drinking hydrogen peroxide provides numerous health benefits and can even help treat certain ailments, such as headaches, allergies, and even Alzheimer’s. What’s even worse is that the people promoting this “at-home remedy” on YouTube are suggesting a type of hydrogen peroxide that is ten times stronger than the usual 3% most people have in their homes. Before we go any further, we want to be clear that you should not be drinking hydrogen peroxide. If you hear about health trends on the internet, it’s always a good idea to do some research on the topic or even ask your doctor.
This isn’t the first time the internet has been hit with potentially dangerous trends that could negatively affect your health. In the (recent) past, we had the Tide Pod Challenge, which if we all remember was ridiculous and just for, I’ll say it, attention on social media. The harsh chemicals in the Tide pod made the trend/challenge incredibly dangerous, especially since they were being ingested.
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“Raw Water” is another trend that is potentially dangerous. It claims that unfiltered spring water has natural probiotics, electrolytes, and silica. This, however, isn’t based on actual science and the truth is that “raw water” could be carrying dangerous diseases and bacteria that could lead to things like cholera, E. coli, and hepatitis.
The internet is a weird place, so it’s not all that surprising that people are taking shots of hydrogen peroxide. The reality is that when consumed, hydrogen peroxide can release hundreds of liters of oxygen into your bloodstream which can negatively affect your brain, heart, and lungs. Even worse, as stated by a doctor who spoke to CBS, is that this liquid can do more harm than good, such as confusion, strokes, heart attacks, and clots in your lungs. The CDC even states that the consumption of hydrogen peroxide can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues.
Look, we’re all for at home natural remedies, but please do not try this!
