Overview

• Researchers say the challenge’s periodic resurgence across platforms keeps driving teen diphenhydramine misuse that can cause arrhythmias, seizures, coma and death.
• FDA adverse-event data show spikes in July and December 2020, July 2021, February and May 2023, and January and June 2024 among ages 10–25.
• A South Carolina 13-year-old was treated this month for hallucinations and a heart rate near 200 bpm after taking Benadryl to get high, local news reported.
• The FDA warned in 2020 to secure diphenhydramine at home, and researchers urge renewed education and tighter platform moderation.
• Authors emphasize that the conference data are preliminary pending peer-reviewed publication.