Boston University warns against drinking BORGs ahead of St. Patrick’s Day

Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, Boston University is warning students to stay away from a viral TikTok college drinking trend that recently sent dozens of UMass Amherst students to the hospital for alcohol poisoning.

A “BORG,” or a “black out rage gallon,” has taken off on college campuses. In a typical personal borg, the gallon container is half full of water, with a devastating fifth of alcohol (about 17 shots), and a liquid flavor enhancer like Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier.

Boston University Student Health Services — in a post addressed to students for a “safe St. Patrick’s Day” — wrote that they should not drink BORGs, and emphasized it’s not a safer way to drink booze.

“We don’t recommend drinking a BORG,” Boston University Student Health Services posted on Instagram.

“Since BORGs contain water and sometimes electrolytes, there’s a misconception that a BORG is hydrating and therefore a safer way to drink,” BU Student Health Services wrote. “It’s not true.”

The college drinking trend has gone viral on TikTok, where social media users claim that drinking from a BORG can cut down on the chances of a hangover. That’s not true and it’s very troubling that some students believe that, according to health experts.

“Many recipes call for up to 17 shots of liquor,” BU Student Health Services wrote. “Even if consumed over many hours, this is enough alcohol to cause an emergency.

“The size of the BORG makes it hard to track how much you’ve had to drink,” they added. “Mixing alcohol with caffeine can mask the feeling of intoxication and other effects from alcohol, making it more likely for someone to overdrink.”