Why do people use a spray like Reflex as a medicine?

All fashions come back. The return of flared or low-waisted trousers can be painful in some ways, but it’s even worse when the returning fashion is not an item of clothing but medicineThere has been an increase in drug use recently. traditionalHow popper. Raves, festivals, bottles… This drug of dubious legality has regained its popularity among young people in a variety of areas. But, if possible, what is most disturbing is that return of ethyl chloridea very easily accessible substance, as it is sold in pharmacies without a prescription pain relieving spray.

Although famous reflex does not contain this substance, its effects are comparable. This is a spray that is commonly used for relieve pain from muscle injuries. However, young women who use it as a drug do not spray it on their skin. They apply it to fabric, usually an item of clothing such as a T-shirt, and then inhale it.

It produces an effect euphoria which may be pleasant for those who consume it. However, such consumption of ethyl chloride is very dangerous for many reasons. Even in low doses it can cause serious side effects, but long-term use or high doses can even lead to death. The problem is that it is not easy to control the dose. Therefore, it is not so difficult to achieve such high doses.

The Past and Present of Ethyl Chloride as a Medicine

Ethyl chloride, also called ethyl chloride, is nothing new. In fact, the gas was first synthesized in 1759 and began to be used as a general anesthetic. in the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Later it will become over-the-counter local anestheticespecially for treating sports injuries. Its use was limited to this until the 1980s, when it began to become popular as a recreational drug. Someone decided to snort it and discovered that it produced interesting maximum.

Despite the notoriety it gained at the time, it eventually fell out of use, perhaps supplanted by other drugs. But controls on the sale of some of them have led many young people to return to these seemingly harmless substances that, when taken in a specific way, become narcotics. ethyl chloride He regained his fame in the 21st century.

In Brazil, it is the main ingredient in a drug widely consumed at carnivals known as Lanza perfumeIt gets its name from the fact that it is mixed with flavors, making it even more potent when consumed through a high-pressure tube.

In Spain, during the festive periods, they also eat it, but without perfume. Straight from the can. The two most high-profile cases occurred in festivals of the city of Castellon Villarrealin 2022 and in April Fair Seville in the same year 2024. In both cities, authorities seized alarming amounts of ethyl chloride sprays from young people, many of them minors.

What are the consequences?

In addition to the effects that ethyl chloride consumers are actually looking for, such as euphoria, tingling, analgesia or uncontrollable laughterthere are much more dangerous ones. It easily crosses the blood-brain barrier, which is responsible for protecting the brain from external aggression, so the main effects recorded in hospitals are neurological. These symptoms include tremors, speech difficulties, decreased reflexes or involuntary eye movements. But that’s not all. They have also been documented liver failure and cardiovascular symptomsamong which life-threatening asystole may occur.

In addition, since the gas is in temperature 200 ºC below zeromay cause burns and irritation of the respiratory tract.

Doctors are concerned about the number minors who call emergency services on certain holidays with these symptoms. For this reason, for many years, chloroethyl was required to be sold in pharmacies on prescription. And of course, it is not so easy to buy it online. At the moment, it is still easy to get in Spain. That is why it is important for young people to know the symptoms. No matter how similar it is to Reflex and how harmless it may seem to us, its consumption is not a game. It can be really dangerous.