Denver Public Schools and local doctors are dialing up the warnings after what officials say is a renewed wave of the dangerous “Benadryl challenge” on social media, prompting East High to alert families. The trend, which encourages taking far more than the recommended dose of diphenhydramine to try to trigger hallucinations, is not a harmless stunt. It can cause seizures, dangerous heart rhythms, coma, and death.
East High School sent a letter to parents this week after staff spotted signs that the challenge is resurfacing, and the district urged families to contact its substance‑use prevention team for support, according to KDVR. National Jewish Health allergy physician Dr. Jessica Hui told the station that “no one should ever do the social media trend,” adding that physicians have moved away from using Benadryl as an emergency treatment because of its risks. The district also recommends keeping Benadryl and other medicines out of easy reach and talking with kids about what they are seeing online.
How dangerous is the challenge?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that taking higher‑than‑recommended doses of diphenhydramine can produce life‑threatening cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, coma, or death and advises immediate medical attention or a call to Poison Control at 1‑800‑222‑1222. The Cleveland Clinic lists overdose effects that include extreme drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, and irregular heartbeat, and clinicians note that individual sensitivity varies widely, so a dose that harms one person could be fatal for another.
Why doctors and schools are worried
Research presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics' conference found recurring spikes in diphenhydramine exposures since the trend first hit TikTok in 2020, a reminder that viral “challenges” can fade, then flare back up years later. Press coverage of individual cases highlights the stakes: a 13‑year‑old in Ohio died in 2023 after ingesting large quantities of Benadryl while attempting the challenge, as reported by CNN. Health officials say platform moderation helps, but cannot catch every copycat video, so vigilance at home remains essential.
What parents should do now
Parents can reduce risk by locking up medications, counting pills after sleepovers, and having clear conversations about the real harms behind online dares. Denver Public Schools directs families to its Substance Use Prevention team for help and resources, including school‑based supports and guidance on how to talk with students. If you suspect a child has taken an unsafe amount, call Poison Control at 1‑800‑222‑1222 and seek emergency care immediately.
District officials say they will keep monitoring the situation and work with school staff to keep students safe, and local coverage of the alert is available for parents who want more details via KDVR. Medical experts emphasize that common over‑the‑counter medicines are not harmless in large doses, and early intervention can prevent permanent injury or worse.
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