The Benadryl Challenge is a viral TikTok trend that encourages people to ingest dangerous amounts of the medication. Many people participate in these challenges unaware of the potential risks involved, believing them to be fun and harmless. However, this challenge has caused the deaths of several young people.
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What is the Benadryl Challenge?
“The Benadryl Challenge” is a viral trend on the social media platform TikTok. It encourages people who view the video to consume large quantities of Benadryl to produce hallucinations. [1] The Benadryl Challenge began in 2020 and involves ingesting more than 12 Benadryl tablets. This challenge has resulted in the severe harm and death of many young people. [3][4][5]
Content on TikTok is often short videos of up to 60 seconds, meaning that people can consume excessive amounts of content within a short period. TikTok challenges are a popular content type on the platform, involving a specific activity or performance that viewers can engage with or recreate. [2]
New TikTok challenges are constantly emerging and range from mild and harmless, such as those that involve dancing trends, to dangerous and potentially life-threatening, such as those that encourage substance use and self-harm. [2]
Why is it dangerous?
The Benadryl Challenge is dangerous because it encourages people to consume dangerous quantities of the medication, which can lead to overdose.
Benadryl is a branded medication containing diphenhydramine, an antihistamine that relieves allergy and cold symptoms. It is available over the counter and is safe and effective when used within recommended doses. However, the Benadryl Challenge involves taking far more tablets than recommended, which can have serious and fatal effects.
Risks and health consequences
The recommended dose of Benadryl for people aged 12 and over is 1-2 tablets every four to six hours, up to a maximum of 6 doses in 24 hours. The Benadryl Challenge encourages the ingestion of at least 12 tablets at one time (in one dose), which meets or exceeds the recommended daily maximum. This can cause overdose and lead to severe health consequences, including: [4][6]
- Cardiac issues, including extreme changes in heart rate, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest
- Breathing issues, including difficulty breathing and swallowing or respiratory failure
- Seizures
- Breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis), which causes pain and weakness, swelling, and kidney failure
- Loss of consciousness
- Death
Why teens participate: Psychological and social factors
Several factors may influence a young person’s willingness to participate in these sorts of challenges, including: [1][2][7]
- Young people are exposed to social media trends and challenges every day. Some consume an excess of digital content, which affects their decision-making skills and judgment.
- Videos of this challenge on TikTok do not mention the negative consequences that can occur. The potential risks are not acknowledged and are therefore not likely to be considered by viewers.
- Young people are less adept at critical thinking, meaning that they cannot easily assess and recognize potential risks associated with this challenge.
- Because Benadryl is an over-the-counter medication, people may be unaware that it can pose serious health risks.
- Young people are heavily influenced by social media and their peers, and may participate in this challenge if they see that their peers have done so.
Benadryl challenge in the larger context of substance misuse
Data from the National Poison Data System indicates that many reports of Benadryl toxicity among young people are associated with suicide attempts. [8] As such, this challenge can be particularly harmful, as it encourages an age group containing many high-risk individuals to consume medications in dangerous amounts.
Furthermore, adolescents participating in this challenge might be at higher risk of future substance misuse. Studies show that drug abuse often begins in adolescence and is likely linked to impulsivity, curiosity, and peer pressure experienced by teens. The Benadryl Challenge might be the first time a young person misuses substances and may lead to further experimentation. [9]
How parents and caregivers can respond
Parents and caregivers can support young people and help prevent harm associated with this sort of challenge by: [1][4][7]
- Monitoring or limiting social media use
- Ensuring that all medications and substances (whether prescribed or not) are securely stored where they cannot be accessed by children
- Although it may not be possible to be aware of all content shared on social media, parents can try to keep up to date with dangerous trends that emerge and educate their children on the potential risks involved
- Encouraging open communication, so young people are willing to discuss with parents how risky a social media challenge might be, or the pressure they feel to participate in such challenges
- Demonstrating a nonjudgmental attitude toward social media, such as taking part in safe and appropriate challenges with their children
- Learning how to recognize signs of substance misuse and how to manage an overdose
What to do in case of suspected overdose
If a Benadryl overdose is suspected, call 911 or take the person to the emergency department immediately. If the medication has been taken within the last hour, activated charcoal can be administered to help prevent absorption. Because of the severe risks of Benadryl overdose, urgent medical care is often necessary, along with careful monitoring. [6]
Staying safe from dangerous social media challenges
Young people using social media can keep themselves safe from dangerous challenges by:
- Doing some research after viewing a new challenge. Look into the risks, such as finding out what the FDA or other trusted organizations say about the safety of the challenge or substance involved.
- Asking parents or guardians if they think the challenge is dangerous.
- Reporting to TikTok or the social media platform any content that encourages dangerous activity.
- Limiting time spent on social media platforms to reduce exposure to harmful content.
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