From chomping down on Tide Pods to cooking up NyQuil-marinated chicken, some internet challenges seem almost too wild to believe. Yet, these viral trends have taken social media by storm, often ending with participants injured—or worse—in the emergency room. Dr. Jordan Wagner, board-certified ER doctor, takes a closer look at the deadliest internet trends and explains why these risky stunts are no joke.
In this breakdown, we’ll explore the hidden dangers behind these viral challenges and discuss why these “fun” stunts can have life-altering consequences.
1. Tide Pods Challenge: Toxic Chemicals in Bright Colors
The infamous Tide Pods Challenge involves biting into or eating brightly colored laundry detergent pods, all for views. Despite looking like candy, these pods contain concentrated chemicals meant for cleaning, not eating.
What’s Inside a Tide Pod?
Tide Pods are loaded with surfactants, enzymes, water softeners, and toxic chemicals like ethanol and hydrogen peroxide. Ingesting them can cause severe chemical burns, respiratory issues, and potential organ damage.
Medical Risks:
Chemical Burns: Burns in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach from the pod’s highly concentrated ingredients.
Breathing Issues and Vomiting: Ingesting even a small amount can cause severe nausea, vomiting, and breathing problems.
Organ Damage: Toxic chemicals can damage organs and even lead to neurological harm or death in extreme cases.
2. NyQuil Chicken Challenge: Medicine Misused
In this bizarre trend, people cook chicken in NyQuil to add a “flavorful” twist or for a new challenge. However, NyQuil’s active ingredients, like acetaminophen, can be dangerous when inhaled or ingested in high concentrations.
What’s Inside NyQuil?
NyQuil contains acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and doxylamine, ingredients that can lead to liver damage, respiratory failure, and severe sedation when misused.
Medical Risks:
Over-Sedation: Cooking with NyQuil releases vaporized drugs that can lead to respiratory issues.
Liver Damage: High doses of acetaminophen can cause liver damage.
Lung and Nervous System Damage: Inhaling the vaporized drug mix can harm the lungs and nervous system.
3. Galaxy Gas Challenge: The Hazards of Inhaling Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” is a recreational inhalant that some people use for a quick high. However, inhaling Galaxy Gas (a culinary whipped cream charger brand) or any nitrous oxide can lead to serious health risks.
What’s the Risk with Galaxy Gas? Nitrous oxide deprives the brain of oxygen, leading to short-term euphoria but with dangerous consequences, including possible brain damage.
Medical Risks:
Oxygen Deprivation: Can lead to suffocation, loss of consciousness, or brain damage.
Nerve Damage: Frequent or prolonged use can cause nerve damage.
Falls and Injuries: Loss of consciousness from oxygen deprivation can lead to dangerous falls.
4. Milk Crate Challenge: A Recipe for Broken Bones
The Milk Crate Challenge involves stacking milk crates in a pyramid and attempting to walk across the precarious structure. As expected, most participants end up falling, resulting in serious injuries.
What’s the Danger? Milk crates are not stable, especially when stacked. Attempting to walk across them often leads to falls and injuries.
Medical Risks:
Broken Bones: Falls from the crates can lead to fractures.
Head and Spine Injuries: Many participants hit their heads or spines, leading to potential long-term damage.
Concussions: Hard impacts can cause concussions, which may have lasting effects.
5. Salt and Ice Challenge: Burns and Nerve Damage
In this challenge, participants put salt on their skin and press an ice cube over it, causing a rapid temperature drop. This can result in frostbite-like burns and severe skin damage.
What’s the Science Behind It? Salt lowers the freezing point of water, so adding ice causes extreme cold, which can burn the skin.
Medical Risks:
Burns and Blisters: Skin can suffer frostbite-like burns.
Permanent Skin Damage: Prolonged exposure can cause nerve damage and scarring.
Nerve Damage: The cold, combined with salt, can damage nerves, leading to lasting sensitivity issues.
6. Cinnamon Challenge: A Recipe for Choking
The Cinnamon Challenge dares people to swallow a tablespoon of dry cinnamon without water. Cinnamon, however, is a fine powder that easily blocks the airway, making this challenge a choking hazard.
Medical Risks:
Choking: Dry cinnamon can obstruct the airway, causing suffocation.
Aspiration Pneumonia: Inhaling cinnamon particles into the lungs can cause pneumonia.
Lung Damage: The fine particles can scar the lungs, leading to long-term breathing difficulties.
7. Bird Box Challenge: Blindfolded and Dangerous
Inspired by the movie Bird Box, participants attempt everyday tasks while blindfolded. This challenge has resulted in falls, car accidents, and severe injuries due to impaired vision.
Medical Risks:
Falls and Injuries: Lack of vision leads to tripping and serious injuries.
Car Accidents: Attempting tasks like driving while blindfolded can lead to fatal accidents.
Head Trauma: Falls due to impaired vision can result in head trauma and concussions.
8. Planking Challenge: Extreme Risks for “The Perfect Pic”
The Planking Challenge involves lying face-down in risky or elevated locations, trying to hold a “planking” position. This often results in dangerous falls from high places.
Medical Risks:
Broken Bones: Falls from heights can lead to fractures.
Concussions: Hard impacts from planking in risky spots can lead to head injuries.
Paralysis or Death: Severe falls can result in spinal injuries, paralysis, or even death.
DISCLAIMER: This video is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Dr. Wagner strongly discourages anyone from attempting or participating in any of the actions discussed in this video. These activities can be dangerous and may lead to serious injury or death. The video is not intended as an endorsement of such behaviors. Please prioritize safety and make responsible decisions.
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