Youth injecting their own blood, 5 cases from Bhopal shocked everyone, know what is blood kick?
Bhopal's Hamidia Hospital has seen five young people seeking treatment since January 2026, allegedly addicted to blood components. These young people extract blood from their own veins and then re-infuse it into their bodies. This is known as a "blood kick." This gives them a temporary high and boosts their energy.
The five young people who sought treatment ranged in age from 18 to 25. A similar pattern was observed among all five. As soon as their families learned of their addiction, they stopped their activities and counseled them for several days. However, instead of listening and understanding, these young people became irritable and aggressive. When their condition worsened, the family took them to the hospital's psychiatry department.
Initial investigations by doctors have revealed three key reasons: curiosity, misinformation, and easy availability. But why might someone become addicted to blood kicks, and what serious complications can arise from doing so, we asked Dr. Jyoti Kapoor, consultant psychiatrist at Marga Mind Care, Gurugram.
Dr Jyoti Kapoor
Dr. Jyoti Kapoor, Consultant Psychiatrist, Marga Mind Care, Gurugram
Dr. Jyoti says that blood kick isn't a medical or psychiatric term. It's been used through social media and conversations. The behavior seen in these young people, such as removing blood from the body and then re-transfusing it, can be considered a form of extreme self-harm. This self-harm behavior isn't a normal reaction. Rather, it could be because risk-taking increases adrenaline, which creates a unique kind of high or thrill.
Self-harm behavior is often associated with certain mental conditions, such as borderline personality disorder or emotionally unstable personality disorder. It may also be associated with severe depression or anxiety.
When a person repeatedly engages in a behavior or is compelled to do so, it becomes a compulsive pattern. This means that the person becomes habituated to it, even though they know it's harmful. Then, when they're told not to, they become angry and feel unwell, irritable, restless, and craving. This condition isn't typical of addiction, but is often linked to a personality disorder or other mental health issues.
Blood loss is very dangerous for the body. Unsterile blood removal or transfusion can spread infections like HIV or hepatitis B. Septicemia can occur, where the infection spreads throughout the body through the bloodstream. This is a life-threatening condition. A person can also suffer from an air embolism, where air bubbles enter a vein and block it, cutting off blood supply to that area. This is also a life-threatening condition.
Additionally, repeated blood draws can lead to anemia. In severe cases, multiple organ failure can occur, meaning multiple organs can stop functioning simultaneously, potentially leading to death. Therefore, correct diagnosis is crucial. This means identifying the underlying cause of these behaviors. Treatment is then tailored to the patient's needs. Medications can be given, along with counseling and therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy.
(The information, treatment methods, and dosage recommendations given here are based on the experience of experts. Please consult your doctor before following any advice. The Lallantop does not recommend self-medication.)
