according to the newspaper South China Morning Post, the trend began after a “trending” article on China’s Little Red Book social network. Entitled “Oxygen is more useful than coffee”, the article has been viewed more than 5.6 million times since it was posted on September 10.
Chinese youth posted photos of themselves using oxygen generators instead of coffee to stay awake while working or studying. Photo: SCMP
An account named Jhimali, 26, posted a photo of herself using a portable ventilator in the office. She wrote that she brought it so that she could race with her colleagues who worked till 11 pm every day.
The office worker from Hunan province said she uses the inhaler during her lunch hour and sometimes at work to focus better and stay creative.
A 21-year-old college student with the account Bikibaodiizhangyumei said she uses a breathing tube to keep her brain more alert when she falls asleep while studying. According to them, it is a great alternative to coffee as this drink makes their heart beat faster.
According to Zimali, another positive side effect was that her boss pressured her to work less after seeing her using the breathing tube in the office. Photo: Little Red Lady
According to shopping advertisements, pure oxygen is recommended for the elderly, pregnant women, as well as people traveling to heights or general practitioners who need to concentrate and suffer stress. A 1-liter bottle of oxygen, which lasts less than 10 minutes, costs about 10 yuan ($1.40) on the online shopping platform Taobao.
Of course, not everyone agrees with this trend. Some argue that the use of “augmented” breathing tubes is useless, even counterproductive.
A response under the post of the account Bikibaodiyizhangyumei read: “Even donkeys rest when they are too tired from work, but now humans have to pay for the air we breathe comfortably. Can.”
Another netizen also advised not to use oxygen tanks as relying on it is not beneficial for long-term health.
According to Mr Mou Jiandong, a doctor at Beijing Tsinghua Chang Geng Hospital, excessive use of oxygen tanks can damage the lungs of healthy people or cause oxygen toxicity, leading to respiratory problems and even death. Can also happen.
A 1 liter oxygen tank, sold on the Taobao e-commerce platform, was used up within 10 minutes. Photo: Taobao
