While the growing illegal drug trade in Coachella Valley has posed obvious problems, people often overlook the dangerous connection between hotboxing and hypercapnia.

As more and more states legalize weed, hotboxing is becoming more common and hypercapnia is becoming a danger to many.

If you aren’t a smoker, then you may wonder, “what is hotboxing?” Hotboxing is when a person or group of people smoke in an area that lacks ventilation. Although you can hotbox any unventilated area, hotboxing a car is most common. The lack of extra oxygen increases the effects of the substance being smoked. Usually, people hotbox with marijuana in an attempt to experience a more intense high. While this is a common practice among marijuana smokers, it has serious health risks. As a drug and alcohol rehab in Palm Springs, we know that hypercapnia is a real danger of hotboxing that smokers aren’t usually aware of.

What Is Hypercapnia?

Hypercapnia is the abnormal buildup in the blood of carbon dioxide, otherwise known as CO2. This occurs when there’s a significant lack of oxygen in one area. When people hotbox a car or any other unventilated area, they do their best to prevent any oxygen from getting inside. Not only can people who are in the car get high and stay high simply from second-hand smoke, they can also feel high from the lack of oxygen. If hypercapnia occurs too quickly, it can be fatal. Although the kidneys may keep up if this condition occurs slowly, a sudden spike in carbon dioxide levels, also known as acute hypercapnia, can stop your breathing. Severe hypercapnia associated with respiratory failure can lead to coma, seizure, or death.

Common hypercapnia signs and symptoms include:

• Flushed or red skin
• Drowsiness
• Trouble focusing
• Disorientation
• Inability to breathe
• Fatigue
• Irregular heartbeat
• Panic attack
• Blackouts
• Paranoia
• Muscle twitching
• Hyperventilation
• Coma
• Seizure

Marijuana users are the most common hotboxers. While many may believe that this substance is safe, weed can affect your lungs and brain cells, resulting in impaired cognitive function, memory loss, and respiratory problems. Weed can also be addictive, and many people who become addicted to it require a residential detox to quit.

How Are Hotboxing and Hypercapnia Related?

The connection between hotboxing and hypercapnia can be attributed to the lack of ventilation involved in hotboxing. Hypercapnia can happen when hotboxing because the purpose of hotboxing is to keep the concentration of smoke high for more intense side effects. People who hotbox will try their best to seal off any spaces or holes that may let oxygen in. Not only is the lack of oxygen a contributing factor of hypercapnia, but high levels of carbon dioxide can also cause this condition. People who become addicted to weed may use hotboxing as a common method of getting high. This can put them at risk of suffering from severe health repercussions.

At Banyan Treatment Centers Palm Springs, we offer a residential treatment program that separates patients from their addiction triggers at home and gives them the privacy and guidance they need to successfully recover.

Additional Effects of Hotboxing

At Banyan Palm Springs, we know that hypercapnia is one of the many dangers of hotboxing. Hotboxing intensifies the effects of marijuana, causing more severe health repercussions. The effects of hotboxing too often include lung problems, respiratory problems, problems with vision due to overexposure to smoke, and more. Because the effects of weed are also more severe when a person hotboxes, the individual may experience symptoms for longer periods of time. Everyone reacts differently to weed, and those who experience uncomfortable side effects like anxiety and panic attacks may struggle.

If you or a loved one are ready to take the first step towards a sober future, call us today at 888-280-4763 to learn more about our different levels of care.