Kids around the country have an even more heightened interest on the internet not because of the current fad on social networking but due to another more serious trend: Digital Drugs. A segment on News 9 reported a phenomenon tagged as ‘i-dosing’ which refers to the use of digital drugs played through MP3s or IPods that can put someone in a state of ecstasy. Customers only need to contact an online dealer who will provide digital drugs to be listened through the headphones while sitting or laying motionless.
Those who want to get hooked up to these drugs only need to purchase the digital tracks together with a 40-page manual instructing the steps on how to get high with the music. These digital drugs claim that they can cause the same effects that opium, peyote, marijuana, and cocaine brings to their users. An example of a track is ‘Gates of Hell’ which is even available in Youtube.
According to the reports, these digital drugs implement a two-toned or binaural technology which affects the mental state and brain waves of the individual listening to it. Fortunately, studies claim that these sounds, which mostly resemble droning noise, do not have the ability of chemically altering the brain.
Psychology Today even countered the claimed effects of these music drugs by claiming that even though these binaural beats are used for anxiety therapy, they do not exactly pose any danger to children and teenagers. This was supported by a research conducted by the University of South Florida which aimed to identify whether these binaural beats can help people with ADHD focus more on their activities. Based from the results, the beats do not bring any alarming causes at all.
However, despite the fact that these music does not actually alter the brain, officials, parents, and school administrations are still worried that these tracks can be a ‘gateway drug’ to actual substance abuse. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs fear that the popularity of the websites advertising this type of music can tempt people to explore the idea and end up taking real drugs. Mark Woodward, the spokesman of the Bureau also expressed his concern regarding this type of music which can lead children to more serious situations.
The Mustang Public School District in Oklahoma also shares the same concerns and even sent out warning letters to parents regarding the new trend. Educators even implemented a ban of iPods and MP3s at school in order to prevent their honor students from becoming cyber-drug addicts.
The concern and precautionary measures expressed by these bodies is a good thing because there is a very high chance that these digital drugs are only the tip of the iceberg and used only as cover-up for a new method of selling drugs. See related clip below (Warning: This is not intended for minors and should be viewed with adult supervision)
image via flickr
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