When you think about getting high these days, you probably picture a shady dealer on a street corner. In reality, the modern high can be as easy as cracking open a kitchen cabinet and popping a few pills. The rise of prescription‑drug abuse is staggering, and it’s crucial for parents, educators, and friends to recognize which medicines are most often misused and what they do to the body. This guide walks you through the top 10 abused prescription drugs, offering a fun yet factual snapshot of each substance.

Why These Medications Make the Top 10 Abused List

From tranquilizers that calm nerves to opioids that promise euphoria, each drug on this roster possesses a combination of accessibility, powerful effects, and a reputation that fuels recreational use. Whether it’s a teenager sneaking a sleep aid or an adult chasing a pain‑killer buzz, these ten drugs dominate the illicit market because they’re both legal (when prescribed) and dangerously appealing.

10 Ambien

Zolpidem, sold under the brand name Ambien, belongs to a class called non‑benzodiazepines. Though it’s primarily prescribed for insomnia and occasionally as a muscle relaxant, its ability to boost GABA activity makes it act much like alcohol—lowering inhibitions and encouraging sociability. High doses can cause vivid amnesia, leading users to experience a “night they can’t remember.” Teens, especially those lacking easy access to alcohol, often turn to their parents’ Ambien bottles. While it’s a legitimate medication, operating heavy machinery or driving while under its influence is a recipe for disaster. Even rap legend Eminem publicly admitted to using zolpidem in 2009 to cope with life’s pressures.

9 Seroquel

Quetiapine, better known by its brand Seroquel, is an antipsychotic prescribed for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and even insomnia. Though it doesn’t scream “recreational drug,” prisoners have coined the nickname “Jailhouse Heroin” for it because of its calming, anxiety‑reducing properties. Inmates trade meals and cash for these tablets, seeking a carefree mental state. Outside of prison walls, Seroquel is also used to mellow out after stimulants like cocaine, to ease bad trips, or even mixed with cocaine to create a “Q‑ball.” Its reputation for soothing anxiety makes it a versatile, if risky, party‑drug alternative.

8 Dilaudid

Hydromorphone, marketed as Dilaudid, is a potent opioid prescribed for severe pain and sometimes for stubborn coughs. When taken orally in moderate amounts, it can produce a mild euphoria, but the drug’s low oral bioavailability means that swallowing a few 4 mg tablets often feels underwhelming. However, when dissolved and injected—thanks to its ability to become water‑soluble without heating—users experience a rush comparable to heroin. This “cold‑shaking” property makes Dilaudid a favorite among opioid addicts seeking a swift high, though its oral form is considered somewhat safer for households with curious teenagers.

7 Xanax

Alprazolam, sold as Xanax, is a benzodiazepine frequently prescribed for panic attacks, insomnia, and occasional social anxiety. While doctors dispense it in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg doses, the street‑favorite is the 2 mg “bar.” Users either swallow it or crush and snort it for a lightning‑fast onset, producing deep relaxation, lowered inhibitions, and a pronounced sense of apathy. Benzos like Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan are popular for making social gatherings feel more comfortable, but their withdrawal syndrome can be brutal—leading to panic attacks and even seizures when users can’t obtain another dose.

6 Desoxyn

Desoxyn is the pharmaceutical version of methamphetamine, a stimulant also known as “speed,” “crank,” or “ice.” In the United States, Canada, and New Zealand it’s legally prescribed for ADHD and, in some cases, obesity because of its appetite‑suppressing power. Getting a legitimate prescription is arduous—convincing a doctor that only meth can manage one’s ADHD is a tall order. Nevertheless, once obtained, a 10 mg Desoxyn tablet provides a consistent, high‑quality dose that street users covet, because it eliminates the guesswork of unknown street purity.

5 Narcotic Syrups

Prescription cough syrups laced with codeine or hydrocodone have surged in popularity thanks to hip‑hop’s glorification of “lean” or “purple drank.” Brands such as Tussoinex and Phenergan are mixed with soda, candy, and sometimes even “Jolly Ranchers” for flavor. The combination produces a mellow, euphoric buzz accompanied by a pleasant itch and relaxed feeling. While overdosing on the opioids alone is rare, many of these syrups also contain acetaminophen and guaifenesin, which can cause serious organ damage when consumed in large quantities. Codeine and hydrocodone also appear in pill form under names like Tylenol 1‑4 and Vicodin.

4 Adderall

Adderall, a blend of amphetamine salts, is infamous as “speed in a pill.” Prescribed for attention‑deficit hyperactivity disorder, it combines dextro‑amphetamine and levo‑amphetamine in a 25 % to 75 % ratio, delivering heightened focus, energy, and occasional euphoria. Because the diagnosis of ADHD can be faked, many high‑school entrepreneurs sell their prescriptions to peers seeking a study edge or a party lift. Alongside Ritalin, Adderall is a staple of exam‑season abuse, delivering a dramatic increase in concentration and motivation that many students find irresistible.

3 Laudium

Laudanum, a tincture of opium, dates back to 17th‑century London, though opium extracts were used even earlier. This alcoholic solution mixes powdered opium—containing codeine, morphine, and ethanol—into a potent concoction. Historically, it was considered a socially acceptable alternative to smoking opium, especially among the English aristocracy. Though largely phased out in the early 20th century, a prescription‑only version still exists, primarily to treat newborns suffering from opioid‑withdrawal syndrome. Its legacy underscores how even centuries‑old medicines can slip into modern abuse cycles.

2 Oxycontin

Oxycodone, sold under brand names like OxyContin and Percocet (when combined with acetaminophen), has been one of the most devastating prescription‑opioid crises of the past two decades. Synthesized in early 1900s Germany, it only became widely prescribed in the 1990s when Purdue Pharma released a time‑release tablet that delivered massive doses of oxycodone in a single pill. While it offered chronic‑pain patients a life free of constant dosing, abusers discovered they could chew, snort, or inject the tablets for an intense, almost unmatched euphoria. Recent reformulations have made the pills harder to misuse, yet other oxycodone variants like Roxicodone remain popular in the illicit market.

1 Opana

Opana, containing oxymorphone, is rapidly climbing the ranks of abused painkillers as OxyContin’s reformulations curb its street appeal. Oxymorphone delivers a potent high that many users claim surpasses even heroin. A low‑tolerance individual can achieve a powerful euphoria from just a fraction of a high‑dose (40 mg ER) tablet when insufflated. As word spreads among thrill‑seekers, Opana is poised to become the next major pharmaceutical drug of choice for those with easy access to an unlocked medicine cabinet.

Understanding the risks associated with these ten substances is the first step toward prevention. Whether you’re a parent locking away pills, a teacher spotting warning signs, or simply a curious adult, staying informed can help keep our communities safer.

When it comes to 10 prescription drugs, most people think of the usual headaches, rashes, or occasional nausea. Yet a handful of medicines hide truly bizarre and sometimes alarming reactions that most of us never even hear about. Below we dive into ten drugs whose side‑effects range from the oddly beneficial to the downright dangerous, all backed by real studies and unsettling anecdotes.

10 Propanolol Makes Users Less Racist

Propanolol is a staple for treating heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety‑related physical symptoms, and even migraines. In a 2012 study conducted at Oxford University, researchers discovered an unexpected benefit: the drug appeared to dampen subconscious racial bias.

The experiment enlisted thirty‑six white volunteers, split evenly into two groups. One half received a controlled dose of propanolol, while the other was given a placebo. Both groups then completed a well‑established test designed to uncover hidden racial attitudes.

Results showed that participants who took propanolol displayed significantly lower levels of implicit racism compared with those on the placebo. Scientists believe the effect stems from propanolol’s action on the amygdala, the brain region that governs fear‑related emotional responses.

9 Lariam Makes Users Murderous And Suicidal

Lariam, a medication once favored for preventing malaria, carries a grim reputation for inciting violent and suicidal behavior, a fact that became especially concerning when militaries adopted it for overseas deployments.

In 2009, the U.S. military withdrew Lariam from its special‑forces inventory after multiple incidents linked the drug to extreme aggression and self‑harm. One notorious case involved a soldier who, under the influence of Lariam, took the lives of sixteen civilians in Afghanistan.

Irish troops have also reported a litany of neuro‑psychiatric symptoms—memory lapses, anxiety, depression, insomnia, restlessness, and even permanent brain damage—attributed to Lariam. These alarming outcomes prompted several armed forces to ban the drug outright, while others, such as Germany’s military, reserve it only for cases where alternative prophylactics fail.

In 2013, the FDA mandated a black‑box warning—the agency’s most severe caution—on Lariam’s label, stating that neurologic side‑effects can emerge at any stage of treatment, potentially persisting for months, years, or becoming irreversible.

8 Aripiprazole Makes Users Gamble

Aripiprazole—sold under names like Abilify, Aristada, and others—is prescribed for autism‑related symptoms, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and Tourette’s syndrome. Yet a growing number of patients report compulsive behaviors such as excessive shopping, gambling, hypersexuality, and overeating.

Among the most striking testimonies are stories of individuals who never gambled before but, after starting aripiprazole, found themselves betting large sums. One former user described being expelled from his home because his gambling habit spiraled out of control.

In Las Vegas, a woman prescribed Abilify for depression claimed she wagered between one and two million dollars over five years, even missing scheduled flights because she was too engrossed in a casino. Researchers attribute these impulsive urges to aripiprazole’s influence on dopamine pathways, the brain’s reward circuitry. Notably, the compulsive behaviors receded once the medication was discontinued.

7 Ambien Makes Users Cook And Eat While Sleeping

Ambien, the go‑to remedy for insomnia, does more than just tuck you in. Some users report waking up in the middle of the night, wandering into the kitchen, preparing meals, and even snacking—all while remaining unconscious of their actions.

These nocturnal culinary escapades often leave a mess in the kitchen and the bedroom, and many individuals discover the evidence only in the morning. The phenomenon can also contribute to unwanted weight gain, as the foods chosen tend to be high‑calorie comfort items, though the exact psychological trigger remains unclear.

Beyond midnight cooking, Ambien has been linked—though rarely—to “sleep‑driving.” In documented cases, individuals were arrested for operating a vehicle while under the drug’s influence, but those incidents involved taking the medication immediately before driving, a clear misuse rather than a spontaneous sleep‑driving episode.

6 Capecitabine Can Make Users Lose Their Fingerprints

In a baffling 2009 incident, a 62‑year‑old man was denied entry to the United States after immigration officials noted the absence of fingerprints—a red flag for potential security threats. The mystery resolved when doctors discovered he had been undergoing chemotherapy with capecitabine, which can erode the skin on the fingertips.

Some scientists suspect the fingerprint loss stems from capecitabine‑induced hand‑foot syndrome and hand‑foot skin reaction, both of which cause swelling and peeling of the skin on the palms and soles. However, the exact mechanism remains under investigation.

Research indicates that roughly 14 % of patients on capecitabine lose detectable fingerprints after eight weeks of treatment. Encouragingly, about a third of those individuals regain their prints within four weeks of stopping the drug.

5 Mirapex And ReQuip Cause Sudden Sleep

Mirapex and ReQuip are both prescribed to manage Parkinson’s disease symptoms, but a serious adverse effect has surfaced: sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks that can strike without warning.

One harrowing case involved a 72‑year‑old woman who, while driving, fell asleep behind the wheel and struck a pedestrian, resulting in a fatal injury. The woman’s medication regimen included Mirapex, an analgesic called Ultram, and a pain reliever for back issues. She reported frequent, unexpected naps, prompting a physician visit.

Although her doctor initially blamed the sleep episodes on Ultram and swapped it for Vicodin, the patient suffered the accident a week later while still taking Mirapex, Ultram, and a modest amount of alcohol. The incident highlighted the need for clearer guidance.

Health Canada responded by urging the manufacturers—Boehringer for Mirapex and GlaxoSmithKline for ReQuip—to alert physicians that patients should avoid driving or operating machinery when on these drugs. Some regional health authorities also recommended that physicians inform local motor‑vehicle departments whenever they prescribe these medications.

4 Chantix Makes Users Violent And Suicidal

Chantix, a medication designed to help smokers quit, has been implicated in a disturbing pattern of aggression, suicidal thoughts, and violent outbursts, often emerging within just two days of beginning treatment.

Numerous incidents have been reported: a 24‑year‑old woman assaulted her boyfriend and attempted self‑harm; a 21‑year‑old threatened to shoot her mother; a 42‑year‑old man punched a stranger for no apparent reason; and a 46‑year‑old contemplated suicide. In some cases, the aggression intensified when Chantix was combined with other drugs.

One tragic episode involved a musician who, after taking Chantix, became enraged, attempted to break into a neighbor’s home, and was fatally shot during the confrontation.

Today, the FDA requires Pfizer—the drug’s manufacturer—to display a prominent warning that Chantix may provoke violent or suicidal behavior. While Pfizer argues that the medication’s benefits outweigh these risks, the mandated warning underscores the seriousness of the side effect.

3 Thalidomide Caused Severe Birth Defects

Thalidomide was once a popular remedy for depression, insomnia, and morning sickness. Approved in the United Kingdom in 1958, the drug was later withdrawn in 1961 after it became evident that it caused catastrophic limb deformities in newborns.

Within three years of its widespread use, thousands of pregnant women who took thalidomide gave birth to over 10,000 children with severely shortened or missing limbs. The drug’s manufacturer, Distillers, faced massive legal settlements, including an ongoing £200 million payment plan to 455 affected individuals, slated for completion in 2037.

While the tragedy struck Europe, the Middle East, and Canada, American children were largely spared because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, led by Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey, refused to approve the drug without additional safety data. The drug’s manufacturer repeatedly demanded her dismissal, labeling her a “petty bureaucrat,” but Kelsey’s steadfast stance prevented the drug’s approval in the United States.

In recognition of her dedication, Dr. Kelsey received a congressional medal, the highest civilian award from President Kennedy, and later the Order of Canada. Her actions also spurred legislative reforms ensuring that new pharmaceuticals undergo rigorous safety evaluations before reaching the market.

2 Viagra Can Cause Prolonged Erection

Viagra, the well‑known treatment for erectile dysfunction, carries a rare but serious side effect: priapism, an erection that persists far longer than normal, sometimes lasting several hours.

Under typical circumstances, blood fills the spongy tissue of the penis during arousal and then drains after ejaculation. In priapism, a blockage prevents the blood from exiting, leading to a painful, prolonged erection. This condition is especially prevalent among patients with leukemia or sickle‑cell anemia, and among those who have received Caverject injections.

Statistically, priapism affects roughly one in every 1,000 Viagra users. Medical guidelines advise that any erection lasting more than four hours warrants immediate medical attention to prevent permanent tissue damage.

1 A Number Of Drugs Can Make Users Blind

One of the most alarming adverse reactions is Stevens‑Johnson syndrome (SJS), a severe disorder that causes the top layer of skin and mucous membranes—including the eyes—to peel away, potentially leading to blindness.

A striking example occurred in 2004 when 13‑year‑old Veronica Zenkner took a simple ibuprofen tablet for a headache. Within days, she developed a fever and a widespread rash that progressed to toxic epidermal necrolysis, the most extreme form of SJS. The condition forced her into a burn unit and a medically induced coma.

After treatment, Veronica lost vision in her left eye, while her right eye remains chronically red, itchy, and highly sensitive to light, necessitating constant sunglasses. Although ibuprofen was the trigger in this case, SJS can be induced by a broad range of drugs.

Medications commonly associated with SJS include penicillins, sulfonamides, naproxen, ibuprofen, and the anticonvulsant Lamictal (lamotrigine). Manufacturers of Lamictal even label the drug with a warning that Stevens‑Johnson syndrome is a possible side effect.

Doctors have been prescribing medicine for far longer than most people realize. Early prescriptions were etched on clay tablets over 4,000 years ago. The first drugstore was in Baghdad in the eighth century. Medicine has evolved greatly in that time, and the number of prescriptions doctors prescribe has skyrocketed. Upwards of 4.69 billion were filled in America in 2021. And, as it turns out, some prescriptions are for things a little more unexpected than Lipitor or Amoxicillin 

10. Rectal Dilators 

The 18th and 19th centuries were not necessarily a period of enlightenment, as far as medicine was concerned. There was a lot of quackery afoot and treatments that were at best useless and at worst deadly were rolled out for all manner of ailments. This was the era that gave us heavy narcotics as a cure for just about any condition, not to mention things like tobacco enemas and white lead smears.

Not everything that doctors prescribed at this time was medicine, there were also medical devices. Or maybe “alleged” medical devices, like rectal dilators. Sold in a series of graduated sizes, patients were advised to insert the rubber dilator until their rectum had adjusted, then move on up a size. The obvious question now is why. Why would anyone do this? According to the packaging, this was a cure for piles, constipation, headache, stomach disorders, insomnia, and even weak heart action. Who knew the butt was such a pathway to health?

Obviously that was past and now we live in a more progressive time, right? Well, tell that to Sandy Springs, Georgia, which made the sale of any kind of adult-oriented devices like vibrators illegal unless buyers had a prescription from their doctors. 

9. Beer 

If you’ve ever had an extended stay in a hospital, you’ve experienced hospital food. It’s made to be fairly bland by design because the last thing a hospital wants is to make people even sicker. So generally you get mild, flavorless, textureless sustenance. But they will throw in a curveball now and then.

Some hospitals provide beer by prescription to some patients. It may be prescribed for patients going through withdrawal to help them ease their symptoms. In at least one hospital in Canada, patients are prescribed a small daily dose of vodka to help overcome their alcoholism. The concept dates back to Prohibition times when people could be exempted from the ban if their doctor signed off on it. Prescriptions were written for beer and even whiskey back then. Consider it like medical marijuana prescriptions closer to the present. Whiskey doesn’t have a whole lot of medicinal value, of course, and the prescriptions seemed to just be a way for doctors to make a few extra bucks. 

8. Lubricant 

We already covered how some intimate items have been the subject of prescriptions in various times and places, but it doesn’t just end there. Even things like KY Jelly have been prescription-only. 

The water soluble personal lubricant is made mostly of glycerol and hydroxyethylcellulose. There are a handful of preservative and antiseptic ingredients as well, but nothing close to a narcotic or anything really dangerous at all. Despite that, it was introduced in 1917 when it was available by prescription only. It wasn’t until 1980 that you could buy the stuff over the counter. 

It’s still prescribed today for some patients to deal with symptoms relating to conditions that cause excessive dryness. A doctor may prescribe it so that it can potentially be covered by drug benefit plans rather than paying out of pocket for it. 

7. The ADHD Video Game

Minecraft is the top-selling video game of all time, with around 238 million copies sold. That’s a lot of blocks. For years, parents, encouraged by the media, have feared that video games were causing their children problems, including things like ADHD. There’s no evidence that’s the case, however. In fact, there’s evidence that video games may help kids with ADHD, so much so that there’s a video game that can be prescribed by doctors to help treat it called EndeavorRx. 

The game is designed for kids between eight and 12 years of age. It wasn’t just slapped together, either. Clinical trials of the game lasted six years and included 600 children. After four weeks of using the game, one-third of children report improvement in their abilities to concentrate. Half of parents agreed they’d seen a noticeable difference in their child day to day. 

The game works by using sensory stimuli and motor challenges to target portions of the brain related to attention and concentration according to its creators. That said, critics think it’s mostly smoke and mirrors and little more than a scam. 

6. Leeches

Once upon a time, a doctor might prescribe leeches to you if he thought your blood was giving you flatulence. Have the little guys suck out a bit of the bad stuff and you’d get better, was the thinking. More commonly it was used to treat things like fever, which were thought to be caused by an imbalance of the humors. Basically, you had too much blood, and it made you hot. They’d be placed inside your nostrils, your lips, or all sorts of places to help alleviate symptoms. 

While to modern sensibilities, this seems like quackery, it’s not entirely baseless. In fact, leeches are still prescribed by some doctors to this day. They’re not used to treat anything like a fever or hemorrhoids as they once were, but they do have a place. For instance, if a person has suffered a severed digit that was sewn back on, leech therapy could be prescribed to stimulate blood flow and prevent clotting as the repaired finger heals.

Leeches have a compound in their saliva called hirudin that prevents blood from coagulating. This is an ideal and weirdly natural way to promote healing and blood flow as a result. 

They’re not the only creepy-crawly that might be prescribed these days, either. Maggot therapy is still being used in some cases as well. The larvae of flies have a knack for devouring rotten tissue while ignoring healthy stuff, so they can be used to clean wounds that are having trouble healing. 

5. Passes for National Parks 

Have you ever heard someone recommend you go outside and get some fresh under because it’ll do you good? Turns out there’s something to that idea, and doctors are getting on board with it in Canada. You can get a prescription for visiting a national park there.

Canada has numerous national parks from coast to coast and typically these require the payment of an entrance fee. Those who make use of parks, especially for things like camping or fishing, find a Parks Canada Discovery Pass to be a worthwhile investment as it gives you access to all parks across the country for a whole year. That’s over 80 parks and 450,000 square kilometers of space. They cost $72.25 Canadian for an adult. 

Doctors and some nurses are able to prescribe these passes in several provinces. Patients suffering from both mental and physical conditions are being given them based on evidence that indicates being immersed in nature can reduce anxiety and improve a person’s mental and physical wellbeing. 

4. Cooking Classes

Medicine has to always be evolving. We can’t rest on our laurels because people are always getting sick with something and there are always better ways to deal with it. Modern doctors, some of them anyway, have taken to thinking outside the box to try to treat the patient as a whole rather than focusing on a single symptom or condition. That’s how you end up getting prescription cooking classes. 

Loneliness causes health problems. It’s been recognized by numerous health organizations for some time now. Social isolation is not good for people and can lead to increased risk for all manner of illness, both mental and physical. So rather than giving patients medication for the effects of conditions brought on by isolation and loneliness, doctors are getting ahead of the problem. Cooking classes and even walking groups are being prescribed to help people get out and be in the world with others. This was happening even before Covid, so it will probably ramp up once the pandemic has passed considering how much damage it’s done with increased isolation. 

3. Fruits and Veggies

Everyone knows that they should be eating fruits and vegetables, but in a lot of cases that’s more of a nice idea than a reality. Some people just have unhealthy habits and don’t eat properly, while others have fewer opportunities to do so. For some people in food deserts where access to fresh fruits and vegetables is difficult, eating healthy can be a real chore. For others, it can be cost prohibitive to maintain a healthy diet for themselves and their family as prices go up. 

New York City started a program where doctors could prescribe fruits and vegetables to those with conditions like high blood pressure and poor access to healthy food. The prescriptions are essentially just vouchers for healthy food and for many people, it’s a real benefit. They get to eat better and get healthier while the food is actually covered, so they’re getting some relief on their food bills. 

The program began at two hospitals back in 2013 but has continued for years. Patients receive coupons worth $2 a piece that can be used at hundreds of markets across New York. The Pharmacy to Farm Program was adopted in 2017 and gives patients $30 from participating pharmacies to spend on fruits and vegetables.

2. Bicycles

With doctors prescribing things like nature and healthy foods, it’s not a stretch to imagine how a prescription bicycle might fit into the mix as well. In 2014, doctors in Boston began writing prescriptions as part of the “Prescribe-a-Bike” program which allowed low-income patients to subscribe to Hubway for $5 a year. Memberships are typically $11 per month. Hubway was the precursor to Blue Bikes, a bicycle sharing program based in Boston that started in 2011. By 2021, they had over 23,000 members. 

The Prescribe A Bike program is meant to combat obesity, and it’s been a success. Another program started in Brooklyn and Portland as well. The UK has its own nationwide initiative. 

1. Radon Healing Mines 

Most people never run afoul of radon gas but if you do, it may be thanks to it leaking into your house. Some homes have radon detectors in the basement because radon, a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer, is present in soil. In certain places, it can seep into homes and build to toxic levels in the basement. And if it does that, why would you ever want to be exposed to it?

Turns out radon also has therapeutic properties. Radon has been used for over a century to treat chronic pain and inflammation. In Montana, patients can even get a prescription to go sit in abandoned uranium mines full of it. 

Uranium decays into radon so old mines tend to be saturated in it. Because it’s been used as a treatment for pain and inflammation as well as various muscular disorders, patients with severe arthritis and other conditions find it beneficial. Clinics have been set up at old uranium minds to allow patients to simply sit in the old mines and soak it in. Radon levels in the mines are about 400 times what the EPA cites as safe.

In other countries, radon hot springs are prescribed for therapeutic reasons and recognized by the healthcare community, but it’s less well regarded in America. The people sent to the Montana mines are the people who are in so much pain they’re debating between choosing radon or suicide, so it’s a serious issue even if it sounds bizarre on the surface. 

The reason for the beneficial effects has never been seriously studied, so what is known is limited. The exposure may be promoting cell repair while eliminating free radicals and activating proteins that limit inflammation. Whatever the mechanism, it seems to work for some people