The Benadryl Challenge: A Deadly Trend Among Teenagers Calls For Stricter Legislation

Every generation has a wacky fad with a risk of danger, and oddly enough, the last few have been surrounded by consuming potentially deadly substances. For over a decade, teens have recorded themselves attempting these “challenges” for laughs and social media. 

The cinnamon and tide pod challenges of the past pale to the newest fad that has overtaken teens: hallucinating on benadryl. This easily acquired, over the counter allergy medicine can cause extreme hallucinations when taken in large doses. But young people are dying, a 13 year old in Ohio following the trend took 12-14 pills which caused violent seizures that lead to total brain death. 

And that’s just one example of many. As the challenge has swept through Arkansas, community leaders are calling for legal action limiting over-the-counter medication sales to youth. 

What Makes Benadryl So Deadly? 

Diphenhydramine, the main ingredient of common over the counter allergy medications like Benadryl, sedates the body to provide relief from cold and allergy symptoms. However, some people will use diphenhydramine as an off-label treatment for insomnia due to the powerful sedation effects. 

The Benadryl challenge has teenagers taking more than the medically recommended dosage to achieve the eerie hallucinations reported during a diphenhydramine “trip.” But what these teenagers don’t realize is how close they are flirting with death — hallucinations are a sign of overdose as the medication has begun severely affecting the body and the mind. 

With medical intervention, serious brain damage and heart rhythm disturbances may persist after the overdose. But without medical intervention, a diphenhydamine overdose can result in death. 

How The Trend Has Impacted The Young Population

One of the reasons teens have attempted the Benadryl challenge can be attributed to “The Hat Man.” This is a tall shadow figure that has reportedly appeared to multiple people under the influence of diphenhydramine. 

It sounds similar to the urban legend of “Bloody Mary,” but the deadly difference is kids aren’t speaking a name 3x in a dark bathroom; they are taking a large volume of one of the most common over-the-counter drugs expecting to see “The Hat Man.” The FDA issued a warning in 2020 about the Benadryl challenge, alerting parents to the trend, yet the dangerous fad still persists today. 

Teenagers know that taking too much can cause death, which has led to young adults with suicidal ideation trying to fatally overdose on diphenhydramine. Considering the CDC reports that 39.7% of high schoolers indicate “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness during the past year,” and 20.4% have seriously contemplated suicide, the risk of diphenhydramine use and overdose is high in the younger generations.  

What Can Be Done To Prevent Misuse? 

One Arkansas parent is calling for legal reform to limit minors from purchasing over-the-counter drugs. Ricky Vaughn, the father of a minor who attempted to overdose on diphenhydramine, discovered that a local Arkansas store did not ID individuals buying allergy medications. 

That’s how his minor teenager acquired a yearly supply (365 pills). The paramedics who arrived at Vaughn's home told Ricky that Little Rock sees one or two Benadryl overdoses in minors weekly. Fortunately, the teenager is on the road to recovery.

Currently, there are no laws preventing minors from purchasing over-the-counter drugs in Arkansas. Some businesses will ID for purchases, however, this is dependent upon the company policies. As you can imagine, this is how minors are acquiring the drug and hiding it from parental figures. 

After discovering the lax laws, Ricky Vaughn is calling for legal reform on over-the-counter drug sales to minors in Arkansas. Local Little Rock pediatrician, Dr. Josh Lyons, agrees and suggested a state-wide policy on a maximum volume limit. But this issue is presently ongoing, as lawmakers have yet to put forth any legislature. 

Looking For Arkansas Legal Aid?

If you’d like to join your fellow Arkansas residents in calling for state legislature on over-the-counter drug sales for minors, reach out to your local district legislators to express support for stricter laws. 

However, it is always helpful to consult with a lawyer when the law doesn’t have clear cut guidelines and you’re worried about your responsibility. Reach out to the professionals at Hickey & Hull Law Offices and schedule your consultation for legal aid today!