Private schools warn of “energy through inhalation” device

Private schools in the country have warned of a new product promoted through social media and is presented as a natural extract with mint flavor, “gives additional energy and high concentration”, stressing that it is not suitable for children, and raises anxiety in terms of the method of use, components and potential effects, especially for primary students.

The administration of one of the primary schools in a circular distributed to the parents confirmed that “some students have begun to talk about the product recently, and they trade news about its effectiveness,” noting that the promotion is widely carried out via the Internet and in a way that targets adolescents, without a clear control over the content to ensure its suitability for this age group.

The school administration stated that “the information circulating about the product raised the anxiety of the educational staff, because of the health and psychological consequences it may carry on students,” adding that “it is important to be all familiar with the directions and developments spread on the Internet, and to continue dialogue with our children on the topics that are discussed between them.”

The circular stressed that “the product is prohibited inside the school, and it is not allowed to circulate or use it under any circumstance,” calling on parents to verify the contents of the purchases that their children bring, and review the applications and sites that they interact with electronically.

And “Emirates Today” conducted a research on the availability of this type of devices in the local electronic market, and it was found that it is not available on local platforms (such as “Nun” and “Amazon Emirates”), while it was monitored in some global electronic markets, where it is offered at low prices starting from almost six dirhams.

The family medicine consultant, Dr. Adel Sajwani, warned of this type of products that depend on inhalation across the nose, explaining that “these devices have emerged during the past two years, and they are widely marketed between children and adolescents, especially in digital markets.”

He pointed out that “the product promotes that it gives energy and instantly mental activity before school, but its composition was not subject to reliable scientific studies, and there is no sufficient evidence of its effectiveness,” warning that “repeated inhalation may cause damage to the nose in children, and lead to infections and frequent health complications.”

He pointed out that “this type of behavior may develop unhealthy inhalation habits in the long run, which may pave the future for the use of harmful or unlicensed materials under the cover of activity and focus,” stressing the importance of family control and educating children about the dangers of these materials.

The Consultant of Emergency and Intensive Care, Dr. Aisha Musabeh Al -Maamari, stressed that “students resorting to such agencies with the aim of achieving immediate activity is an improper behavior, and may result in health damage in the long run,” stressing that “the best solution lies in adopting studied health habits that enhance academic performance, especially during exam periods.”

She explained that “strengthening students’ focus and improving their mental performance begins with commitment to three basic axes: proper nutrition, maintenance of physical activity, and obtaining enough sleep,” stressing that “these factors combined constitute the basis for building a balanced, healthy and sustainable lifestyle.”

She explained that “eating a balanced breakfast at the beginning of the day contributes to improving concentration and memory, and reduces mental dispersion”, pointing to the importance of foods rich in protein, fiber, vitamins such as eggs, nuts, and vegetables in supporting mental and physical development.

Al -Maamari added that allocating 10 to 15 minutes a day to practice physical activity, such as walking or active play, enhances blood flow to the brain, and improves cognitive functions, general mood and sleep quality, stressing the need to sleep for a period ranging from 8 to 10 hours per day, for its primary role in enhancing the student’s ability to absorb and remember.

She pointed to the importance of the family’s role in providing psychological and social support, by spending time with children and sharing hobbies, which contributes to reducing tension, enhancing communication and improving academic performance, noting that integrating these customs into the daily routine contributes to building a balanced and sustainable lifestyle for a healthy future.

The family and educational advisor, Aisha Ali Al -Bairaq, confirmed that the promotion of devices through social media applications, especially “Tech Talk”, is targeting the category of adolescents with attractive methods, adding that “the new advertising content shows the product as a quick source of energy and focus, without referring to medical warnings or age controls, which raises concern about the behavioral and psychological impact of these materials on students.”

She pointed out that adolescence is one of the most sensitive stages, as the teenager is characterized by the love of experience and the desire to imitate what he sees, whether via the Internet or from those around it, which makes parental control a decisive factor in awareness and prevention, and not only prevention.

Al -Bairaq explained that “the absence of the actual family follow -up of the content of digital platforms, and the lack of dialogue with the children about what they see, may lead to their involvement in negative behaviors without awareness of the consequences”, pointing out that “some families are satisfied with the method of punishment without providing interpretation or awareness.”

She emphasized that “building the internal awareness of the child and the teenager, and the provision of a family -based family environment based on understanding and trust, strengthens his psychological immunity and reduces his drawing behind any behaviors that may negatively affect his health and behavior.”

She also stressed that the school community, in turn, faces difficulty in monitoring these behaviors. Some students deliberately hide them from teachers and social workers, which allows them to spread silently within student circles, adding that the difference in intellectual references among students inside the school makes some of them justify or encourage the experience of these products.