Overview

• The ‘fridge cigarette’ trend turns opening a chilled Diet Coke into a ritualized break modeled on traditional smoke pauses.
• TikTok creator @reallyrachelreno’s video popularized the term, drawing nearly 4 million views and hundreds of thousands of likes on #fridgecigarette.
• Psychologists say the sensory cues of cracking open a can and fizzy carbonation deliver a quick dopamine-fueled emotional reset.
• Nutrition experts warn that habitual consumption of aspartame and artificial sweeteners could upset gut microbiota and influence brain chemistry.
• Health professionals recommend moderating Diet Coke use and swapping in healthier rituals like sparkling water, herbal teas or brief relaxation exercises.