The Benadryl Challenge isn’t going away – here’s how public health officials are trying to stop this deadly viral trend

This is just one example of an online trend with real-world health consequences.

By: Andrew Yockey, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 24, 2026

Words: 891

Last Updated: 1 week, 3 days ago

By Andrew Yockey, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A dangerous social media trend that started in 2020 has persisted into 2026, with heartbreaking consequences.

In May and June 2026, four American teens died participating in the “Benadryl Challenge.” This trend encourages adolescents and young adults to consume excessive amounts of diphenhydramine – the active ingredient in Benadryl – to induce hallucinations.

One study has estimated that this challenge may have been …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.