What is BORG drinking and why is it a dangerous trend? – Firstpost

BORG has recently emerged as the latest social media trend, especially in the United States. BORG promotes risky drinking habits among college students and young adults who are looking for safer ways to drink. But what exactly is BORG, and why are young partygoers encouraging this behavior when it’s actually not as safe as they believe?
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TikTok has revealed the latest college student drinking trend: “BORG.”

BORG stands for “Blackout Rage Gallon,” and involves students taking a gallon jug of water, pouring out some of it, adding their desired amount of alcohol, and adding flavorings like hydrating drops or powdered drink mixes. The hashtag “#borg” has been viewed more than 74.7 million times on TikTok.

Here’s what you need to know about BORG.

What is BORG?

• A BORG, or “Blackout Rage Gallon,” is a gallon-sized container, usually a jug, filled halfway with water, one-fifth vodka or other alcohol, a water flavor enhancer, and electrolyte powder.

• BORG drinkers prefer this trend because they carry it around in sealed personal containers, minimizing the risk of lacing their drink with drugs.

• BORG enthusiasts also claim that the method helps reduce hangovers and other negative effects of drinking alcohol by rehydrating, increasing electrolyte levels, and diluting the alcohol.

What does BORG stand for?

• BORG is an acronym that stands for “Blackout Rage Gallons.”

• The name comes from the fact that there is enough alcohol in one container to last you an entire night.

• Although the term BORG is new, the practice of mixing alcohol with water, juice, and other non-alcoholic substances has long been popular among college students who want to prolong the effects of alcohol and induce blackout behavior.

Is it safe to drink BORG?

• according to Cleveland ClinicAccording to Dr David Stream of the American College of Physicians, this strategy is intended to reduce the negative physical effects of drinking more than the body can handle, but it is fundamentally unsafe as it can give the illusion of consuming less alcohol than in reality.

• The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines a standard drink as one that contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is equivalent to:

  • 12 ounces of beer (approximately 5% alcohol by volume).

  • A 5 ounce glass of wine (approximately 12% alcohol).

  • 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (approximately 40% alcohol by volume).

• The average BORG contains one-fifth of alcohol, which, if measured correctly, is the equivalent of 17 shots. Measurements are often misdirected, leading to unintentional overdoses.

• The US CDC defines excessive drinking as consuming five or more standard drinks in one sitting for men and four or more drinks for women. Excessive drinking can easily exceed these limits, increasing your risk of alcohol poisoning and other health problems.

• talk Cleveland ClinicStream emphasizes that regardless of how much you drink, your liver can only process about one ounce of alcohol per hour. Drinking too much puts a strain on your liver and causes alcohol to build up in your bloodstream and tissues.

• Alcohol has a diuretic effect, which increases urine production and makes you dehydrated despite your efforts to stay hydrated, worsening hangover symptoms.

BORG Why is drinking alcohol dangerous?

• In March 2023, 46 students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who participated in the BORG Challenge were hospitalized for alcohol poisoning.

• Alcohol poisoning occurs when the blood alcohol concentration rises too quickly beyond the liver’s ability to process it, causing serious symptoms such as hallucinations, dizziness, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, nausea, and vomiting.

• Without accurate measurements, it’s difficult to track how much alcohol you consume when it’s mixed with various liquids and powders, increasing the risk of overdose and health complications such as pancreatitis.

• Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and long-term health problems, including persistent nausea and stomach pain.

A Safer Alternative to BORG

• BORG drinking may seem safer than communal drinking from a punch bowl or cooler, but it still carries significant risks due to the large amounts of alcohol involved.

• We recommend staying hydrated by using smaller personal containers, counting your drinks, and measuring your alcohol intake.

• Being aware of your limits and knowing when to stop drinking is crucial, and having a breathalyzer on hand can help you monitor your alcohol intake.

• It’s important to listen to your body’s signals and understand how alcohol affects you — rest, time, and hydration are the only real cures for a hangover.

See also: Why does beer taste better when it’s chilled? A scientific explanation

Information provided by the institution

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