Beezin'
{{short description|Application of lip balm to eyelids}}
File:Teenager Partaking in Beezin’ Fad.jpg
Beezin' is the practice of applying Burt's Bees brand lip balm, often menthol or peppermint flavored, to one's eyelids.{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxny.com/story/24159253/what-is-beezin-it-involves-lip-balm-and-eyelids |title=What is beezin'? (It involves lip balm and eyelids) |author=Mac King |date=December 6, 2013 |publisher=WNYW (Channel 5 NYC) |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006074914/http://www.myfoxny.com/story/24159253/what-is-beezin-it-involves-lip-balm-and-eyelids |archivedate=October 6, 2014 }} This practice, besides causing a stinging in the eyes, is purported to induce or heighten the sensation of being drunk or high,{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/05/20/313963916/beezin-may-be-bogus-but-other-dopey-teen-fads-can-bite-back |title=Beezin' May Be Bogus, But Other Dopey Teen Fads Can Bite Back |author=Maanvi Singh |date=May 20, 2014 |work=Shots |publisher=NPR |accessdate=September 29, 2014}} or create a state or perceived state of enhanced alertness.{{cite web |url=http://reason.com/blog/2014/04/25/beezin-the-awesome-new-fake-teen-drug-sc |title=Beezin: The Awesome New Fake Teen Drug Panic Involving Lipbalm and Eyelids |author=Katherine Mangu-Ward |date=Apr 25, 2014 |work=Reason Online |accessdate=September 29, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.kjrh.com/news/health/new-warning-about-burts-bees-teens-using-lip-balm-on-eyelids-to-enhance-effects-of-alcohol-drugs |title=New warning about Burt's Bees? Teens using lip balm on eyelids to enhance effects of alcohol, drugs |date=April 24, 2014 |publisher=KJRH (Channel 2 Tulsa) |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311221633/http://www.kjrh.com/news/health/new-warning-about-burts-bees-teens-using-lip-balm-on-eyelids-to-enhance-effects-of-alcohol-drugs |archivedate=March 11, 2016 }} Some commentators have claimed that the practice is not widespread as claimed or is entirely made up, an example of a moral panic.
Dangers
Peppermint oil in the product is an eye irritant, with a potential to develop into a full-blown inflammatory response requiring treatment.{{cite web | title='Beezin': teens applying lip balm to eyelids to experience buzz | website=Optometry Times | date=April 25, 2014 | url=https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/beezin-teens-applying-lip-balm-eyelids-experience-buzz | access-date=July 6, 2022 | archive-date=July 15, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715165514/https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/beezin-teens-applying-lip-balm-eyelids-experience-buzz | url-status=live }} Beezin' can also cause dermatitis in skin areas around the eyes. It has been suggested that Beezin' can also cause pinkeye{{cite web |url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1304501/beezin-can-cause-pinkeye-doctor-warns/ |title='Beezin' can cause pinkeye, doctor warns |author=Alyssa Imamudin |date=May 2, 2014 |work=Global News |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |archive-date=October 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016025509/http://globalnews.ca/news/1304501/beezin-can-cause-pinkeye-doctor-warns/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://healthblog.dallasnews.com/2014/05/beezin-for-a-highis-your-teen-at-risk.html/ |title=Beezin' for a high…is your teen at risk? |author=Jane Sadler |date=May 2, 2014 |work=Dallas News |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006114557/http://healthblog.dallasnews.com/2014/05/beezin-for-a-highis-your-teen-at-risk.html/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Peppermint Oil |work=Toxnet |publisher=U. S. National Library of Medicine / National Institute of Health}} as well as being a gateway to riskier behaviors.{{cite web |url=http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Beezintrend-some-teens-are-using-to-get-high--267441391.html |title=Beezin: Trend some teens are using to get high |author=Jorge Lopez |date=July 17, 2014 |publisher=WRDW (Channel 12 Agusta GA) |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006123939/http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Beezintrend-some-teens-are-using-to-get-high--267441391.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.nbc24.com/news/story.aspx?id=1035244 |title=Lip balm latest trend among teens looking for greater high |author=Bryant Maddrick |date=April 24, 2014 |publisher=WNWO (NBC Channel 24 Toledo Ohio) |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006102947/http://www.nbc24.com/news/story.aspx?id=1035244 |url-status=live }}
References
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