Challenges of social media that are threatening to human life

2024-08-27 22:26:00, Shëndeti CNA

Social media has become a hub for many trends and challenges, offering everything from the weird to the hilarious. However, some challenges push the boundaries of safety, turning harmless fun into life-threatening activities.

In an article on The Conversation, Adam Taylor, Professor and Director of the Clinical Anatomy Learning Center at Lancaster University analyzes the most dangerous social media trends that have gained ground in recent years.

The milk challenge

This is a typical example of how seemingly harmless tests can turn out to be dangerous. In this test, participants are asked to consume about 4 liters of milk within 60 minutes without vomiting. It may sound light, but in reality the average human stomach can hold about 1.5 liters. Research shows that 250 ml of milk takes over 1 hour to leave the stomach, making this challenge almost impossible without side effects. Participants often experience two possible outcomes: extreme nausea, pain, bloating and diarrhea as the body struggles with the excess volume of milk, or vomiting as the body tries to expel the contents and avoid damage. Stomach overfilling can lead to gastric bleeding, a life-threatening condition where the stomach wall ruptures due to overstretching.

The cinnamon challenge

Another dangerous trend is the "cinnamon challenge", where participants try to swallow a spoonful of ground cinnamon in 60 seconds. This challenge is anything but harmless. Cinnamon is high in coumarin, a compound that can be toxic to the liver in large amounts. In addition, swallowing dry cinnamon can cause serious damage to the throat and lungs. The dust can dry out and irritate the delicate linings of the esophagus and trachea, potentially leading to infections and other serious health problems.

Detergent test

One of the most infamous trends is the so-called 'Tide Pod challenge', which invites people to consume laundry detergent. Ingesting these highly concentrated chemicals is incredibly dangerous, yet the ordeal has gone viral on social media. Studies show that by the end of 2022, at least one child per hour will be injured due to exposure to laundry detergent in the US and UK.

Symptoms of washing detergent ingestion include vomiting, nausea, drowsiness and rash. Since the detergent is corrosive, it can burn the lining of the esophagus and stomach, leading to serious respiratory and neurological problems. Eye injuries are also common, as chemicals can cause significant damage when they come into contact with the body's mucous membranes.

Dragon's Breath: A deadly dessert

For those looking for something even more extreme, there is the "dragon's breath". This challenge involves eating candies coated in liquid nitrogen. With a boiling point of about -196°C, liquid nitrogen evaporates at room temperature, but contact with skin or internal organs can cause severe burns.

If swallowed, it can cause full-thickness burns to the esophagus and stomach. In addition, the rapid expansion of gases as the nitrogen heats up can cause internal fissures, tearing the esophagus or stomach open. Even when served in drinks at bars and restaurants, liquid nitrogen is still dangerous. In 2012, a young woman celebrating her 18th birthday suffered a perforation in her stomach from drinking a cocktail of liquid nitrogen, which eventually led to her entire stomach being removed.

Antihistamine test

This is another dangerous trend where participants consume excessive amounts of a certain antihistamine, which contains diphenhydramine. This substance has a sedative effect, which is why it is an ingredient in many over-the-counter sleeping pills. An overdose of diphenhydramine can lead to heart problems, seizures, coma and even death.

An additional challenge is that treating the side effects can cause new side effects, making the problem even more complicated to manage.

The Corn Challenge: A Disastrous Recipe for Oral Health

This test asks potential participants to place a kernel of corn in an electric drill and try to eat it as quickly as possible. Of course, this challenge often results in dental disasters. Spinning at high speed can easily dislodge the teeth from the gums, causing a condition known as tooth extraction. This may seem minor compared to the aforementioned consequences, however the pain and potential for long-term damage is a very real and significant risk.

The bottom line is one: If you love life, don't try these dangerous trends. What may seem like harmless fun can quickly turn into tragedy. So the next time you see a challenge online, think twice before you decide to try it - your health and safety are far more valuable than any number of likes or views./ CNA