The Problems with the Benadryl Challenge
The Internet is no stranger to absurd challenges like the cinnamon challenge (eating a spoonful of ground cinnamon in under 60 seconds without drinking anything), the salt and ice challenge (pouring salt on one’s arm and then proceeding to place ice on the salt), and the Kylie Jenner challenge (inserting one’s lips into a shot glass). As always, these challenges are very dangerous and can even be deadly. Cinnamon is rich in cinnamaldehyde, which can easily irritate the skin and tissues, causing one to choke, gag, and cough. The mixture of salt and ice can significantly drop the temperature to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius), which can cause a burning sensation to the skin and even lead to injuries similar to frostbite and burns. The Kylie Jenner challenge can cause one to develop severe bruising, blistering, and even infection on one’s lips. Now, the Internet’s most recent dare is the Benadryl Challenge, which has been popularized by Tiktok.
The Benadryl Challenge urges viewers to take large doses of the drug Benadryl (diphenhydramine) in order to cause a high, with hallucinations (Hartford Healthcare). The recommended dose is generally one or two tablets every 4-6 hours for children and adults. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine, and it is usually used to treat pain and itching caused by insect bites, minor cuts, burns, and poison ivy when applied topically. In its oral form, it can treat hay fever, allergies, cold symptoms, and insomnia (Medline Plus). According to the FDA, mild overdose of Benadryl can lead to constipation, sleepiness, and urinary retention. However, large doses of Benadryl can lead to seizures, psychosis, coma, and even death. Many of these adverse effects are due to the fact that benadryl is not just an antihistamine, but it also inhibits acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating blood vessel dilation, muscle contractions and our heart rate.
Unfortunately, taking large doses is what the Tik Tok compilations encourage. Tik Tok since then has taken down videos that encourage this behavior, and are still monitoring for any new videos of that kind. However, it is important to discourage this behavior and take further precautions. Regrettably, many teenagers already ended up in the emergency rooms after participating in the Benadryl Challenge. A 15 year old girl in Oklahoma died from an overdose due to this challenge. If someone has taken too much Benadryl, it is important to seek medical attention immediately by calling 911 or going to the nearest ED. Common signs of an overdose on diphenhydramine includes classic sedation such as dry mouth, flushed skin, and rapid heart rate. In even more severe cases, it can progress to hallucinations and seizures (Jacoby).
Consumers, parents, and caregivers should store benadryl and other over the counter meds, and prescriptions up and away from children’s reach and sight. This is especially true as accidental poisoning by children and teens occur more often since they are at home due to the pandemic, and unfortunately are more likely to experiment. It is also important to talk to these teens and make sure they understand the potential dangers associated with it. Additionally, it is important to understand why they want to participate in such a risky challenge in the first place. Most of the time, teenagers tend to participate in more risky, and independent behaviors. The development of the adolescent brain also offers an explanation. The last part of the brain to develop is the prefrontal cortex, which helps us control our impulses and avoid risk (McCarthy). Typically, by our mid-20s, the prefrontal cortex will be fully developed. Hence, a combination of peer pressure and risk seeking teens can lead to these unfortunate consequences.
References:
https://healthnewshub.org/the-benadryl-challenge-on-tiktok-a-potentially-deadly-social-media-dare/