I've been lurking OD for some time now and have grown concerned by the recent posts about lung damage associated with insufflating powders (silicosis, etc.). I assume most (all?) of you reading this use your lungs while snorting. This is not necessary. There is a better way of getting powders up there, one which, if done correctly, will keep every last speck of powder out of your lungs. This easy method requires no equipment you don't already have (unlike that bendy sraw thing) and only a few minutes to get used to.
Without further ado, here's the method:
That's it. The job will be done, and not a speck of powder will end up in your lungs.
On a personal note, I used to snort with my lungs and always had a chronic low-grade cough. Since switching to this method, that cough has disappeared completely.
Without further ado, here's the method:
- Inhale. You don't have to breathe in deeply, just a normal lungful will do.
- Close off your throat, i.e. start holding your breath. This will separate your lungs from your mouth and sinuses, which will be filled with airborne powder in a few seconds.
- Close your mouth, getting all of the air out.
- With your lips closed, snort your powder as you usually do, using your (initially empty) mouth to create suction by moving your jaw down and your tongue down and back (like when you yawn). In other words, suck air into your mouth through your nose. This part will take a little getting used to, since you're creating suction with your mouth rather than your diaphragm.
- Seal off your sinuses from your (now full) mouth and empty it through your lips.
- Repeat steps 4 & 5 until holding your breath starts to become uncomfortable.
- Seal off your sinuses from your mouth again, open your lips, and exhale. Your lungs will now be connected to the atmosphere through your mouth, which you just blew all of the powder out of.
- Inhale through your mouth only.
- Repeat steps 2 – 8 as necessary.
- Close off your lips and exhale through your nose. (Optional: exhale half a lungful of air through each nostril by shutting one with your finger and blowing through the other one.)
That's it. The job will be done, and not a speck of powder will end up in your lungs.
On a personal note, I used to snort with my lungs and always had a chronic low-grade cough. Since switching to this method, that cough has disappeared completely.
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