What Is Chroming, And What Are Chroming Risks?

Online trends can occasionally go too far. This was the case with the TikTok fad known as “chroming,” which claimed the life of a 13-year-old Australian teen. What is it, then? You can get all the details you need right here.

Parents are worried about a new drug trend that is becoming increasingly popular among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and they should be.

On March 31, 2023, Esra Haynes, a 13-year-old eighth-grader from Melbourne, Australia, died from chemical exposure while at a sleepover. She inhaled an aerosol deodorant while participating in the ‘chroming’ fad, a recent TikTok craze.

According to The Sun, Haynes experienced cardiac arrest and irreversible brain damage due to the exercise. She spent a week in the hospital before unfortunately passing away.

Haynes’ parents are now cautioning people about the dangers of chroming, which has become increasingly popular on social media. On the Australian television program “A Current Affair,” Paul Haynes stated that Esra would have never done this if she had realized the repercussions. That it could result in your death.

What is Chroming?

Breathing harmful fumes from a source, such as an aerosol can or paint container, is known as “chroming,” an informal term with Australian origins. 

Users who “Chrome” on TikTok upload movies under the name “WhipTok,” slang for nitrous oxide, use it for fun. On the platform, “Whiptok” has received over 546.3 million views.

Even if the word “chroming” has broadened, the Australian National Retail Association claims that it still refers to the practice of smelling chrome-based paint to get high. Aerosol cans, paint, solvent, permanent markers, nail polish remover, hairspray, deodorants, lighter fluid, glue, cleaning supplies, nitrous oxide, and gasoline are a few examples of dangerous compounds.

What are the Risks of Chroming?

Chroming is the practice of breathing harmful chemicals to get a brief high. It produces a brief high that is comparable to alcohol’s effects. 

However, the action can potentially induce organ damage and death as well as heart attack, convulsions, asphyxia, unconsciousness, and choking.

According to the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Research, prolonged drug misuse can cause cognitive impairment, including difficulty focusing, memory loss, poor judgment, and a lower IQ.

On the platform, other risky trends have also gained popularity. Although in certain instances, TikTok has tried to stop these trends from taking off. They have also eliminated hashtags that may expand their reach. But sometimes, it’s not enough.