81% of vape-related poisonings linked to ‘magic mushroom' flavour
National Poison Centre pharmacist Fadhli Razali warned that the synthetic cannabinoids found in 'magic mushroom' vapes can trigger violent or erratic behaviour.
PETALING JAYA : A staggering 81% of vape-related poisoning cases handled by Universiti Sains Malaysia's poison centre involved products branded as 'magic mushroom' vapes, most of which were used by teenagers and young adults.
The National Poison Centre (PRN) said it had seen a sharp rise in such cases since 2022, with many users experiencing seizures, hallucinations, vomiting, and behavioural changes after just one or two puffs.
'These are not harmless vapes. Most samples that we tested did not even contain real psilocybin, but synthetic drugs that can cause serious harm or death,' the centre's pharmacist Fadhli Razali said in a statement.
He said between 2020 and 2024, the centre recorded 76 calls involving suspected illicit vape exposure.
In 2022 alone, 65% of cases involved such vapes (17 cases), followed by 79% in 2023 (27 cases) and 68% so far this year (26 cases).
PRN said the problem had increased among young people, with 41% of cases involving teens aged 15 to 19, and 53% involving those in their early 20s.
'These vapes are easily manipulated to include dangerous substances. Without strict control, it becomes an open door to drug abuse,' he said.
Fadhli also warned that the synthetic cannabinoids found in these vapes could trigger violent or erratic behaviour, causing harm to users and those around them.
He said these products, often sold online and marketed as trendy or exotic, were now considered a public health threat by PRN.
'We urge all state governments to act urgently and uniformly in banning vape sales, and the federal government must begin enforcing its laws immediately,' he said.
He said PRN fully supported the current move by state governments to outlaw vape products and called for a nationwide ban to protect youths from a 'hidden but dangerous drug epidemic'.
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