Change is never easy. We all spout the idioms around continuous quality improvement and tell ourselves we are evolving, but it involves more than just telling ourselves. It requires action, effort, and determination with a few slip ups and obstacles…
The Dangerous Benadryl Trend Putting Young People at Risk
By Scott Fortune, MD, FAAOA
As a physician deeply committed to patient safety and public health, I am extremely alarmed by the recent surge in recreational misuse of diphenhydramine (Benadryl), particularly among young people. The trend documented in the recent Wired article — where adolescents intentionally take dangerously high doses to provoke hallucinations — is not just reckless, but medically perilous. WIRED
Diphenhydramine is an over-the-counter antihistamine that, when used as directed, is generally safe for occasional allergy or sleep symptoms. However, in large quantities, it is a potent deliriant — producing confusion, fear, memory loss, and disturbing hallucinations, rather than any benign “high.” WIRED
The health risks are profound. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, supratherapeutic doses of diphenhydramine can result in life-threatening complications such as seizures, irregular heart rhythms, coma, or even death. U.S. Food and Drug Administration+1 In addition, misuse can lead to cognitive decline, psychiatric harm, and neurological injury. Hackensack Meridian Health+2AAP+2
Beyond the immediate physical risks, there is a troubling psychological dimension: young people are reportedly drawn to this behavior out of escapism, desperation, or peer pressure — a sign that deeper mental health needs may not be being addressed. WIRED
From a clinical standpoint, I strongly urge the following actions:
- Increased Education – We must educate adolescents, parents, and school communities that even over-the-counter medications can be extremely dangerous when misused.
- Safe Storage – Medications like diphenhydramine should be locked away to prevent impulsive or experimental use. The FDA recommends that caregivers store OTC medicines out of reach. U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Mental Health Support – Providers should screen for underlying psychological distress in young people who appear drawn to these trends. Hallucinogenic misuse can be a symptom of deeper emotional pain or crisis.
- Regulatory & Platform Action – Social media platforms must take steps to limit the spread of dangerous challenges. At the same time, pharmaceutical and regulatory agencies should evaluate whether packaging, labeling, or access restrictions are warranted to curb misuse.
In sum, this is not a harmless social media fad — it is a serious public health issue. As a physician, I call on my colleagues, parents, educators, and community leaders to mobilize urgently to counter this trend before more young lives are harmed or lost.
