5 Myths About Glow Sticks

Glowsticks are a raver's best friend, and the fact is that Inky Glow can't seem to get enough of them. They are bright, colorful, shiny bastions of light! What's there not to love? Glowsticks are filled with glowy goo and myths about how to make the most of them. Before you decide to crack your next glowsticks, consider the following 5 myths about them. 

Myth #1 - Glowsticks won't make you feel sick if you eat them or swim in glowstick juice.

Fact: Yes, it does say non-toxic on the glowstick packages, we know. But, any smart toxicologist will tell you that the dose makes the toxin. This means that getting a little glowy glop on your tongue won't hurt, but eating a bunch of glowsticks will. (But really, you generally shouldn't eat glowing things, period.)

Photo Copyright Icanhascheezeburger.com

There was one incident at a rave where ravers with VIP tickets got the choice to play in a tub that was glowing green. The green glow was caused by...you guessed it, glowsticks! Two ravers lost their sight permanently, and the group which threw the party was sued. The moral of the story is don't break glowsticks open and swim in stuff that glows.Yikes.

Myth #2 - If you freeze glowsticks, they'll last longer. 

Fact: Okay, there is some truth to this. Freezing glowsticks will slow the chemical reaction in some kinds of glowsticks. But, from what we've seen, freezing glowsticks doesn't really make them last too much longer. Nor can you refreeze them and snap them again. These are old raver jokes that people would tell to newbies who are just learning to glowstick. If you want glowsticks that last for more than 8 hours, go for the LED glowsticks that Inky Glow has for sale. If you're looking for the old school "snap and glow" style, and want the glowsticks to last the whole night, steer clear of the ones that are being marketed as "Ultra Bright". Those have a tendency of lasting about an hour or so at most. 

Myth #3 - Going to a rave with only two glowsticks is a good idea.

Fact: Let's just face it. Glowsticks get lost, sometimes get borrowed (and not returned), and it's quite usual to end up sans glowsticks by the middle of the night. If you absolutely must enjoy glowsticking all night long, buy at least 4 glowsticks - 2 for you, and 2 for whoever want to stick with you.

Myth #4 - You can't make glowsticks brighter than they are made to be.

Fact: Believe it or not this is false. You CAN make your glowsticks super bright by popping them in the microwave for 10 seconds. (NOTE: DO NOT DO THIS FOR MORE THAN 10 SECONDS. THEY CAN POP!) You can also put them on a radiator or in hot water before you head to the party. See?

Fresh out the kitchen! (Image from instructables.com)

Myth #5 - You can't revive a dead glowstick. 

Fact: You can, but it won't stay glowing for too long. Just run the glowstick under hot water, and turn off the lights. ("It's aliiiiiiive!")

No matter whether you're waving them, freezing them, boiling them, or nuking them, make sure to get your glowsticks from Inky Glow!