Popular 'nasal snorting energy bar' could be harmful to users

A product called "nasal snorting energy bar" has become popular among young people recently. The so-called stress-relief gadget claims to boost energy and improve focus, but many doctors and experts suggest not using it.

On online shopping platforms, many sellers offer related products, with prices less than 20 yuan ($2.7). According to the descriptions, the products mainly consist of ingredients such as menthol, camphor, and plant-based essential oils. Consumer reviews indicate that buyers include students, parents, and office workers.

An engineer with Hangzhou Daddylab Technology Co told Chao News that they had ten samples of such products tested by a third-party testing institution, and the results showed that some of the substances were potentially harmful.

Common ingredients found in these samples included menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil, along with a significant amount of fragrance solvents, the engineer said, adding that unlike the OTC nasal decongestant drugs, the fragrances of these products make people feel dizzy, according to the report.

"We do not recommend using such snorting products," said Song Wei, director of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Dalian Women and Children's Medical Group, a large hospital association based in Dalian, Liaoning province.

"For children, especially those under 12 years old, their nasal mucosa is still developing, and inhaling impurities may weaken its functions. In addition, some substances may trigger allergies or worsen allergic symptoms," he said.

According to Song, the nasal mucosa absorbs drugs rapidly. Whether for children or adults, using products with unclear ingredients, including some ventilation products purchased from abroad, is not recommended.

"While these products may help with nasal congestion, they can also damage the nasal mucosa. Once the nasal mucosa is damaged, it is difficult to recover, and it may result in impaired nasal secretions or recurrent sinusitis," he said.