Boofing is a slang term that refers to the practice of ingesting drugs or alcohol via inserting them into the anus. Boofing is known for producing faster effects than other means of consumption and avoiding some of the dangers that come with drug ingestion methods like snorting or injection. That said, boofing has its own risks including anal irritation, tearing, infection, and an elevated risk of overdose.
Referred to in medical terminology “trans-rectal abuse,” boofing is done with a variety of substances including alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy (MDMA), heroin, and methamphetamine.
How Does Boofing Work?
In boofing, a substance is inserted into the anus or rubbed around the anal sphincter.
There are several popular methods for doing this:
- Powdered drugs can be rubbed into the anal lining
- Powered drugs can be blown into the rectum via a straw (this method requires a partner)
- Powered drugs can be dissolved in water and injected via a lube shooter, an enema bulb, or a needleless syringe
- Multiple substances can be wrapped in cigarette papers and inserted
- Many substances can simply be inserted whole, though drugs with a rock-like texture (crack, crystal meth) can cut the thin skin of the anus when ingested in this way.
- Alcohol can be introduced via an alcohol enema which involves a funnel into which beer or wine is poured,
- Alcohol can also be ingested by soaking a tampon in one’s alcohol of choice and then inserting it in the anus.
Why Does Boofing Work?
The reason why boofing works has to do with the unique anatomy of the rectum, as Bianca Palmisano, MSN, RN, SANE explains:
“The rectum has a wide, thin layer of mucosa fed by many blood vessels. Drugs and alcohol cross this mucosal layer quickly and easily to reach the circulatory system via the blood vessels. Getting high through this method is often faster and more intense than ingesting drugs orally. Anecdotally, it may also reduce side effects like nausea that are caused by the ‘first pass effect,’ which is the metabolization of drugs by the liver via the digestive system. This is one benefit to rectal suppositories in medical care.”
Why Do People Enjoy Boofing?
As we’ve mentioned, one of the main reasons people enjoy boofing is the speed with which it allows them to feel the effects of their substance of choice. According to researchers, meth users felt effects within 3-5 minutes of boofing which was significantly faster than oral ingestion. While it was comparable to snorting (also 3-5 minutes) and slower than smoking (7-10 seconds), boofing was seen as a safer means of consumption than these methods.
That leads to another reason people boof. The practice is sometimes positioned as a safer alternative to methods like shooting up, snorting, or smoking. While boofing does allow users to consume while avoiding things like lung damage, nasal damage, skin abscesses, and other infections, boofing does come with its own dangers.
Dangers of Boofing
Palmisano outlines just how boofing can be dangerous whether we’re talking about booty health, substance abuse, or both.
“First, drugs and alcohol are very caustic. Just as repeatedly snorting certain drugs can damage the mucosal lining of the nose (causing nosebleeds and eventual destruction of the tissue), boofing can do the same to the rectum. Using lubricant and vitamin E to soothe the tissue may be helpful, and spacing out how often you use in this manner will give the tissue time to recover. An active STI infection or douching prior drug use can also irritate the rectal tissues and cause microtears that increase the risk of tissue necrosis and change the absorption pattern of your drug of choice."
She adds, "It is easier to overdose from boofing because of how quickly substances are absorbed into the body. You may also be less cognizant of how much you're ingesting, so if you are going to take drugs or alcohol this way, it's important to measure your dose carefully and take it over a longer period of time than you might when using other methods.”
