Why Trust Recovery Guide Benadryl is one of the most common and popularly used brand-name, over-the-counter antihistamine medications. The active ingredient, diphenhydramine, blocks the negative effects of allergens and provides relief from symptoms like sneezing, itching, and runny nose. Because of the wide range of allergens and conditions that Benadryl can treat, it can be found in almost every household. It’s also used as a sleeping pill or for treating anaphylactic shock in emergency situations.
Despite being readily available and generally safe when used as directed, Benadryl has unfortunately become a target for misuse. Some people attempt to get high from diphenhydramine by taking large amounts or using dangerous methods like snorting the crushed pills. This type of misuse can lead to serious health consequences, including hallucinations, seizures, and other potentially life-threatening effects.
Why People Snort Benadryl And The Benadryl Challenge
Benadryl’s general side effects of light sedation may, to some people, mimic the effects of low doses of muscle relaxants, alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids. It is commonly used “off-label” as a sleep aid but is not commonly ingested intranasally. Most OTC medications containing diphenhydramine are only intended for oral consumption.
People that choose to snort Benadryl or other diphenhydramine-based medications do so in an effort to get hallucinogenic or euphoric feelings. A person’s ability to achieve these effects depends largely on dosage. Negative side effects may offset any desired feelings of well-being that may result from a larger dosage.
The TikTok Benadryl “Challenge”
Teenagers’ desire to abuse Benadryl comes from a trend on the social media app, TikTok. This “challenge” encourages people to ingest large quantities of Benadryl to achieve hallucinogenic effects.
Since 2020 when challenge first went viral, some teens have chosen to snort crushed up diphenhydramine-based pills to get a more intense rush of effects. In April 2023, a 13-year-old boy died after ingesting several Benadryl pills because of the challenge. Taking too much Benadryl can also cause lasting damage, if not death.
Side Effects Of Snorting Benadryl
Snorting Benadryl creates additional serious health risks beyond the medication’s already significant side effects from normal use. Benadryl has a long list of potential adverse effects with normal use including tachycardia, hypotension, and convulsions.
When a person takes too much Benadryl or crushes and snorts it, there can be both immediate and long-lasting effects.
Other effects of snorting drugs can include:
- upper respiratory infection
- throat and nasal damage
- hoarse voice
- damage to the mucous membrane
- pulmonary embolism
- loss of smell
These physical complications from snorting Benadryl can cause permanent damage to your respiratory system and overall health. The risks far outweigh any perceived benefits, making this an extremely dangerous way to misuse medication.
Increased Risk Of Overdose
People that abuse Benadryl by ingesting large amounts of the drug are at an increased risk of overdose. Serious overdose effects require immediate medical attention, especially in cases where seizures and respiratory distress are present. Brain damage can result from an untreated overdose.
Ingesting more than 500 mg of the drug can lead to delirium and hallucinations.
Signs of a Benadryl overdose can include:
- nausea/vomiting
- ringing ears
- blurred vision
- low blood pressure
- rapid heart rate
- extreme dry eyes
- enlarged pupils
- mood swings
- agitation
- depression
- restlessness
- nervousness/paranoia
- confusion
- loss of consciousness
- tremors
- loss of motor skills
If you suspect someone has overdosed on Benadryl, call 911 immediately and do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Quick medical intervention can prevent permanent damage and save lives, making emergency treatment essential for anyone showing signs of diphenhydramine overdose.
Benadryl Addiction Impact On Mental Health
Regular use and addiction to Benadryl can lead to mental health symptoms that may carry into the long-term. These effects may result from both the continued presence of the drug in the body and from the psychological impact of being without the substance.
Effects can include:
- difficulty concentrating
- anxiety
- mood swings
- confusion
- memory loss
- depression
- nightmares
- impatience
These mental health effects can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life, making it difficult to work, maintain relationships, or perform routine tasks. Recovery from Benadryl addiction often requires professional support to address both the physical dependence and the underlying mental health challenges that may have contributed to the misuse.
For more information about addiction recovery, browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
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- Medscape — Diphenhydramine
https://reference.medscape.com/drug/benadryl-nytol-diphenhydramine-343392 - U.S. National Library of Medicine: Medline Plus — Diphenhydramine
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682539.html - U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus — Diphenhydramine Overdose
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002636.htm
