How to Make a Healthy Snack
McBites = Modern McNuggets?
Slow Cooker Recipes
When Should Bars Cut You Off?
How to Scrape a Vanilla Bean
Best Riffs on Hot Chocolate
I Paid: $19.99 for three spray cans of oxygen (prices may vary by region)
Here’s the story: You spend $20. You get three spray cans. These spray cans are full of air. (I know, I know, oxygen is different from air … it’s more flammable, for starters.) So, yes, you have just paid $20 for three basically empty cans filled with “90% Pure Oxygen” and, potentially, a flavor —Peppermint and Pink Grapefruit were the two I sampled, figuring that Natural would be sort of a flavor letdown.
You spray the air out of the can and inhale it. That’s it.
Except—and this is important—there is a bit of a rush of energy that follows each deep inhalation. Potentially a placebo effect, sure. That said, in this case, the placebo actually tastes (well, smells) kinda good. The two flavors are remarkably restrained: Peppermint is pleasantly reminiscent of the nondrilling aspects of a dentist’s office, and Pink Grapefruit evokes a healthy breakfast.
However, at $20 for three cans (with an estimated 8 to 12 uses per canister), maybe it’s worth considering whether this stuff really works—or what works even means. The Oxygen Plus O+Stick doesn’t claim to do anything in particular. Its tag line is “90% Pure Oxygen Concentrated for Natural Recovery.” Recovery from what, exactly? It claims to help you restore and refresh without going too deeply into the how and why. There are also a series of cryptic icons (with labels) on the box: a car (Auto), a plane (Travel), a chair (Office), a mountain (Elevation), a dude running (Play), and a martini (Recovery). (Incidentally: Despite the airplane icon, I dare you to bring one of these on your next overseas flight and start huffing away on it. Send me a postcard from Gitmo!)
Additionally, each box features a long, weird disclaimer that I regret only being able to quote in part due to space reasons. Highlight number 1: “Do not allow leaked oxygen to become trapped in fabrics, hair, or enclosed spaces.” (“Oh no! The living room sofa’s oxygenated! It’s gonna bloooooooooowwww!”) Highlight number 2: “Do not use underwater.” Oh, God. I so want to try using this underwater now!
In conclusion: If you’ve got $20 and you want to occasionally perk yourself up without coffee and weird everyone in your life out while doing it, boy, are you in luck.
@mahjede, Thanks for explaining the distinction. It's a hard concept to grasp. I've also been given supplemental oxygen post-surgery, but I was so out of it because of the surgery that I can't remember how the sensation was different than just breathing regularly.
Mostly I can't get over the people who thought it was a prudent idea to back this business. I wonder if they were right and there...+READ
@mahjede, Thanks for explaining the distinction. It's a hard concept to grasp. I've also been given supplemental oxygen post-surgery, but I was so out of it because of the surgery that I can't remember how the sensation was different than just breathing regularly.
Mostly I can't get over the people who thought it was a prudent idea to back this business. I wonder if they were right and there is a market out there for folks who'll buy gourmet canned air, LOL! I've heard of "oxygen bars" at new-agey spas, but I thought they were just a passing trend.
But of course, that's a different story than your dad and other people who need supplemental oxygen for, like, breathing. Glad we live in a day and age where he can find the resources he needs so he doesn't have to limit his activities and can live life to the fullest.-COLLAPSE
my father is anemic and at my sister's wedding (at a lodge at the peak of keystone in colorado) an oxygen tank that he procured in town was a huge help to him. i know of friends using similar products while skiing in chile as their mountains often peak at bout 14,000 feet.
@falconress - this and that are on two separate pages. compressed air contains chemicals which induce euphoric states...+READ
my father is anemic and at my sister's wedding (at a lodge at the peak of keystone in colorado) an oxygen tank that he procured in town was a huge help to him. i know of friends using similar products while skiing in chile as their mountains often peak at bout 14,000 feet.
@falconress - this and that are on two separate pages. compressed air contains chemicals which induce euphoric states whereas this would just be an extra does of extra pure air for those low in oxygen-rich blood.-COLLAPSE
I'd love to hear if anyone tried it skiing at 10,000 feet in Colorado. Is there enough in a can to actually make a difference?
This reminds me of the wierdest episode of Intervention I ever saw, the one with a girl whose addiction was huffing air from computer air duster canisters. She got clean, and in a follow-up segment it looked like she managed to stay clean, but boy, that was a bizarre addiction. It was mesmerizing and repulsive at the same time. I hope she doesn't find out about this stuff.
$20 for "Natural" air??
What do you do with the canisters after you're done breathing the air?
This is hilarious. thank you!!
I remember, after a surgery that the oxygen smelled good. But, my insurance paid for it and I didn't look like I was trying to get high from a can of Reddi Whip. I shall pass on this.
Hilarious review! Thanks! And yes, the warning about not using it underwater made me curious about doing so, too.
Great crack re: Gitmo! Clever review.
Soup, you stole my exact thought. But this stuff is spendy, so we need to change it up a bit!
"Rich people, having foolishy squandered their flavourless atmosphere, turn to their nefarious Captains of Industry to supply the small whiff of Grapefruit Oxygen they so desire!"
hee hee. anybody remember the scene in "space balls" where mel brooks has oxygen cartridges in his desk and he's huffing away?