What Is Jenkem?

Jenkem is a hallucinogenic drug that consists of human waste. It’s possible that you’ve never heard of this drug because it isn’t real. Jenkem was a hoax that brought attention to various communities around the world because of a prank. But was that the entire truth?

Jenkem, also known as poop gas or butthash, is supposedly a form of drug using raw materials and human waste meant as an inhalant. Apparently more potent than cannabis, Jenkem became a popular street drug…supposedly.

In The Beginning

In October 2007 in Collier County, Florida, the county sheriff’s office posted an updated bulletin regarding a new drug known as Jenkem that involved huffing feces. Needless to say, this bulletin circulated via email was read by many. 

However, no Jenkem use was reported. In fact, the bulletin was solely based on a concerned parent who was certain their child heard about Jenkem from other high school students. 

Just A Prank

During this time, an internet hoax was going around due to a person with the username “pickwick” on the message board totse.com. Totse is no longer around, but the messages pickwick posted still remain.

In the original post, pickwick claimed to be drinking a mixture of urine and feces, proclaiming to be the first person in America to inhale his own feces. 

Later, it was revealed that pickwick created this fabrication to troll the internet, even using the popular Nutella to make the mix look more realistic.

Media Coverage

Unfortunately, the damage was done and countless media outlets and news organizations released this information to the public, not realizing it was fake. The Washington Post and Fox News both fell for the prank.

The Effects Of Jenkem (According To The Bulletin)

This bulletin gained the attention of countless people. Not only did the bulletin try to raise awareness of Jenkem as a drug, but it also went into detail regarding Jenkem use. 

The bulletin stated that Jenkem originated in Africa and that the drug was now in schools in America. The bulletin also explained how Jenkem is made:

• Fecal matter and urine are placed in a bottle and covered with a balloon.
• The bottle is placed out in the sun or a hot environment to allow it to ferment.
• The bottle must stay in this hot environment for several hours or even days. 
• During this time, the contents of the container will separate as the gas expelled fills up the balloon.
• The balloon is inhaled, causing visual hallucinations and a powerful high.

After the incident involving pickwick and his hoax, more people became aware of Jenkem, including law enforcement from around the country. 

The Real Truth

Years prior, in 1999, BBC News and the New York Times ran a story involving street children in Lusaka, Zambia using Jenkem. 

In this story about Zambian AIDS orphans, the media reports claimed the children were using this as a cheap high. The story also mentioned a non-profit organization in Zambia, known as Fountain of Hope, that described Jenkem as a powerful high.

Snopes states that the Jenkem drug in American schools is a hoax. However, in third-world communities, there have been instances of Jenkem use according to previous reports years before the pickwick prank.

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