If you are a listener of the Podcast Spittin Chiclets you have likely heard the term Russian Gas. This mysterious substance has been brought up many times on the show and is often referred to as one of the best parts of playing in the KHL.
As most hockey fans know the Russians are notoriously driven when it comes to the game of hockey. There are many stories of North American players experiencing Russian hockey training for the first time and wondering how these players do this every season.
Part of that drive to be great in hockey seems to have found its way into the KHL as Spittin Chiclets have had on several guests that have talked about using Russian gas while playing hockey in the KHL.
Host of Spittin Chiclets Ryan Whitney gave a short description of what using Russian Gas was like in the KHL.
The drug is taken through an IV which they have set up in the locker rooms. In which apparently the IVs come directly out of the walls. This way during intermission players will be able to come back into the locker room and use the Russian gas before the next period.
The idea is that by using the IVs you will have a new sense of energy and will be able to finish off the rest of the game without slowing down or succumbing to exhaustion.
Every player that has come onto the podcast seemed to have raving reviews about Russian Gas. Most of these players did not even know what they were taking but they found that it definitely achieved the goal of keeping them energized in the game.
What Does Russian Gas Do?
We cannot say for sure as we have no first-hand experience with Russian gas but it is believed that it may be a drug called Toradol.
This drug gives is an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever but is also sought after for its psychological lift. The idea is that the Russian Gas gives you a psychological lift that makes you feel invincible.
It also takes action fast which allows players who are dealing with pain to quickly numb it and get back on the ice.
Toradol has been known to be used across the NHL though it isn’t given out through IVs in the wall like you would see in Russia.
We cannot say for sure that this is what russian gas is made of, but the similar effects and usage in hockey make it fairly likely.