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

Dangerous online trends have become a major public health problem. Xavier Lorenzo/Moment via Getty Images 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…