Why young people use chemical substances

All over the world, chemical products such as stimulants, but also beauty products, (energy) drinks, vitamins and food supplements have become an integral part of young people's daily lives. Many of these products can be potentially harmful. The University of Amsterdam studied why young people use these products and how they deal with the risks. There appears to be a surprisingly high level of joint self-regulation and a worryingly strong link with work objectives. Research into the use of chemical substances among young people usually focuses on drugs and how to regulate them. The five-year ethnographic research project Chemical Youth chose a different approach. 'Drugs are not the only chemical substances that young people use', explains the coordinator Anita Hardon, professor of Medical Anthropology at the University of Amsterdam. 'The daily lives of young people are flooded with chemicals to boost pleasure levels, emotions, sexual performance, appearance and health. We examined what all these pills, drinks, sprays, powders and lotions do for young people and how they deal with the risks, from the perspective of the young people themselves.' They found that young people not only use chemical substances to enhance their appearance and pleasure, but also to perform at their best in an uncertain labour market. It furthermore appeared that young people carefully weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of chemical products with each other via international online platforms. Urban centres that attract young people like magnets