Seizures, then zero brain activity: US teen dies after viral Benadryl challenge
The Benadryl challenge first gained traction in 2020 and has resurfaced online in recent weeks. The dangerous trend encourages teenagers to record and upload their attempts on social media platforms after consuming excessive amounts of the antihistamine.
A 15-year-old girl in the US has died after allegedly taking part in the Benadryl challenge, a viral social media trend that encourages users to consume large amounts of the allergy medication to experience hallucinations.
According to the family, Leah Presson was left with “zero brain activity” after she suffered seizures shortly after ingesting the medicine, the New York Post reported.
She was declared brain-dead on June 14. Her father, Richard Presson, later confirmed that the teenager had died after days of fighting for her life.
In the US, Benadryl is only sold to adults over 18 years.
The Benadryl challenge first gained traction in 2020 and has resurfaced online in recent weeks. The dangerous trend encourages teenagers to record and upload their attempts on social media platforms after consuming excessive amounts of the antihistamine.
Participants reportedly take around 12 to 14 Benadryl tablets in an attempt to induce hallucinations, despite warnings from medical experts about potentially life-threatening side effects.
The trend involves taking excessive doses of Benadryl in an attempt to experience a high or induce hallucinations, caused by the effects of diphenhydramine — the active ingredient in the allergy medication.
Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine commonly used to treat allergies and allergic reactions, can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, difficulty urinating and a faster heartbeat.
However, taking large amounts can trigger dangerous reactions, including confusion, slurred speech, enlarged pupils, overheating, abnormal heart rhythms, seizures and, in extreme cases, death.
In a similar case in 2023, Jacob Stevens, 13, from Ohio died after he did the dangerous challenge.
According to news reports, he consumed 12 to 14 pills of an over-the-counter antihistamine in a bid to experience hallucinations. As his friends were recording him while he attempted the social media challenge, his body began to convulse.
Before his death, the boy spent almost a week on a ventilator.
A 15-year-old girl in the US has died after allegedly taking part in the Benadryl challenge, a viral social media trend that encourages users to consume large amounts of the allergy medication to experience hallucinations.
According to the family, Leah Presson was left with “zero brain activity” after she suffered seizures shortly after ingesting the medicine, the New York Post reported.
She was declared brain-dead on June 14. Her father, Richard Presson, later confirmed that the teenager had died after days of fighting for her life.
In the US, Benadryl is only sold to adults over 18 years.
The Benadryl challenge first gained traction in 2020 and has resurfaced online in recent weeks. The dangerous trend encourages teenagers to record and upload their attempts on social media platforms after consuming excessive amounts of the antihistamine.
Participants reportedly take around 12 to 14 Benadryl tablets in an attempt to induce hallucinations, despite warnings from medical experts about potentially life-threatening side effects.
The trend involves taking excessive doses of Benadryl in an attempt to experience a high or induce hallucinations, caused by the effects of diphenhydramine — the active ingredient in the allergy medication.
Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine commonly used to treat allergies and allergic reactions, can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, difficulty urinating and a faster heartbeat.
However, taking large amounts can trigger dangerous reactions, including confusion, slurred speech, enlarged pupils, overheating, abnormal heart rhythms, seizures and, in extreme cases, death.
In a similar case in 2023, Jacob Stevens, 13, from Ohio died after he did the dangerous challenge.
According to news reports, he consumed 12 to 14 pills of an over-the-counter antihistamine in a bid to experience hallucinations. As his friends were recording him while he attempted the social media challenge, his body began to convulse.
Before his death, the boy spent almost a week on a ventilator.
