Is ingesting borax safe? No way, says experts. (Photo illustration: Blake Cale/Yahoo; photo: Getty Images)

People are ingesting borax.

Also known by its chemical name sodium borate decahydrate, borax is a salt typically used to kill ants and boost laundry detergent, among other household cleaning needs. It is also found in some kinds of toothpaste and cosmetics. Now TikTokers are drinking it, claiming that a pinch of borax dissolved in water, or even mixed into a smoothie or coffee, has plenty of health benefits.