In recent years, a sinister trend has emerged on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, that encourages adolescents and young adults to engage in hazardous misuse of common over-the-counter medications. One of the most alarming of these trends is the so-called “Benadryl Challenge,” which involves the ingestion of dangerously high doses of diphenhydramine, a widely available antihistamine, in pursuit of hallucinations and euphoric effects. This phenomenon presents a growing public health concern due to the profound toxicological risks associated with excessive diphenhydramine consumption.
Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine with potent anticholinergic properties. It is commonly used to treat allergy symptoms, motion sickness, and as a sleep aid. Its sedative side effects are well-known at therapeutic doses, but when ingested in quantities far exceeding recommended guidelines, diphenhydramine exerts a toxic effect that can provoke severe cardiac, neurological, and psychiatric complications. These include potentially fatal outcomes such as arrhythmias, seizures, coma, and even death. Despite these dangers, the viral spread of the “Benadryl Challenge” on social media platforms has led to a disturbing increase in intentional misuse among youths.
The “Benadryl Challenge” first surfaced on TikTok in 2020, rapidly capturing the attention of adolescents seeking novel ways to experience altered mental states. The challenge involves consuming doses of diphenhydramine exceeding 300 milligrams, a quantity significantly above therapeutic levels. Participants deliberately attempt to override the drug’s drowsiness-inducing effects to experience hallucinations. This dangerous behavior is fueled by the accessibility of diphenhydramine as an over-the-counter medication and the pervasive influence of social media trends among younger demographics.
Researchers led by Dr. Noelia Swymeler, a pediatric resident physician at the University of Oklahoma at Tulsa School of Community Medicine, conducted a retrospective study to investigate the impact of this trend on adverse health outcomes reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Their study analyzed data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), focusing on diphenhydramine-related adverse event reports in individuals aged 10 to 25, spanning from 2013 to an extended forecast through 2024.
By utilizing Auto Regressive Integrative Moving Average (ARIMA) modeling, the researchers sought to predict baseline trends in diphenhydramine-related toxic events prior to the emergence of the challenge and compare these forecasts with actual post-2020 data. Their findings indicated a significant increase in the number of adverse event reports beginning in May 2020, the time frame coinciding with the viral spread of the “Benadryl Challenge.” Notably, peaks in reported cases occurred intermittently from 2020 through 2024, surpassing forecasted levels and underscoring the persistent influence of this dangerous social media trend.
Over the twelve-year period analyzed, a total of 413 relevant adverse event reports were identified within the targeted age group after applying strict inclusion criteria. Analysis revealed that annual report numbers fluctuated, with a marked rise in 2020 and reaching a peak in 2023. These statistics illuminate the disturbing persistence and resurgence of the trend years after it initially appeared, suggesting that public health interventions have had limited success in eradicating the misuse of diphenhydramine via social media influence.
The physiological mechanisms underlying diphenhydramine toxicity are multifaceted. As an anticholinergic agent, excessive doses inhibit parasympathetic nervous system receptors, leading to symptoms ranging from dry mouth and blurred vision to tachycardia and cognitive disturbances. At toxic levels, diphenhydramine can disrupt cardiac conduction pathways, precipitating life-threatening arrhythmias. Central nervous system toxicity manifests as agitation, hallucinations, seizures, and in severe cases, coma. The drug’s narrow therapeutic index means that the margin between a dose producing sedation and a dose causing fatal toxicity is perilously thin.
The rise in deliberate misuse presents unique challenges for healthcare professionals. Emergency departments have witnessed an increase in young patients presenting with diphenhydramine overdose symptoms, requiring careful management of cardiovascular instability and neurological complications. Current data suggest that many cases involve intentional ingestion inspired by social media challenges, emphasizing the critical role of healthcare providers in identifying and counseling at-risk youth populations.
Social media companies face mounting pressure to monitor and mitigate content that promotes dangerous behavior, yet the viral nature of such challenges often outpaces regulatory responses. Content generated by users can rapidly disseminate, evade detection, and remain accessible indefinitely, perpetuating hazardous behaviors despite public health warnings. The study’s findings highlight the necessity for more effective cooperation and proactive measures between social media platforms, public health agencies, and clinicians.
Parents and caregivers are urged to remain vigilant regarding the storage of common medications within the household. Safely securing over-the-counter drugs like diphenhydramine reduces the risk of unauthorized access and misuse, a crucial step in prevention strategies. Additionally, increased educational outreach targeting adolescents should emphasize the real and potentially irreversible harm associated with the misuse of readily available medications.
While this research sheds light on the correlation between social media trends and increased diphenhydramine-related adverse events, it also underscores the complexity of addressing substance misuse in the digital age. Further studies are warranted to explore behavioral motivators, the effectiveness of public health interventions, and the development of targeted educational campaigns to curtail such hazardous practices.
The “Benadryl Challenge” serves as a stark reminder of the dual-edged nature of social media’s influence on youth behavior. While these platforms offer unprecedented opportunities for connection and learning, they also expose users to content that can encourage risky and potentially fatal behaviors. Multidisciplinary approaches incorporating clinical, psychological, educational, and regulatory perspectives are essential to mitigating the impact of such trends and safeguarding adolescent health.
In summary, the ongoing escalation of diphenhydramine misuse among adolescents and young adults, catalyzed by viral social media challenges, represents a critical public health emergency. The intersection of pharmacology, toxicology, social dynamics, and digital media necessitates urgent attention to develop comprehensive prevention and intervention protocols. Raising awareness, fostering safe medication practices, and enhancing digital literacy remain paramount components in combating this emerging threat.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Social Media Challenge: Encouraging Adolescents to Engage in Dangerous Over-the-Counter Drug Use
News Publication Date: 26-Sep-2025
Web References: www.aap.org
Keywords: Social media, Adolescents, Drug abuse
