Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health Experts Available to Discuss the Dangerous “Benny Tripping” Trend Hospitalizing Teens

Newswise — Edison, N.J. – October 9, 2026 – A disturbing social media challenge known as “Benny Tripping” is gaining alarming traction, encouraging teenagers to consume toxic doses of Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to induce hallucinations. As recently reported in the news, this dangerous misuse of common over-the-counter (OTC) medication has already hospitalized at least one New Jersey teenager with confusion, disorientation, and slurred speech.

The statistics surrounding pediatric and teen OTC poisoning over the past three years paint a worrying picture:

• Nationally: According to the National Poison Data System via America’s Poison Centers, diphenhydramine exposure cases among teens ages 13–19 surged 31.9% from 10,068 cases in 2024 to 13,284 cases in 2025. The trend has only accelerated into 2026, with 7,292 teen diphenhydramine-only cases recorded in just the first half of the year—nearly double the rate from the same period last year.
• In New Jersey: The New Jersey Poison Control Center reports managing some 1,500 intentional self-poisoning attempts among preteens and teens annually, repeatedly citing OTC medications like Benadryl, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen as the most common culprits.

Experts from Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health are available to discuss the severe medical risks of this trend:

From the Emergency Medicine Perspective:

“When teens attempt the ‘Benny Tripping’ challenge, they aren’t just risking a bad high. They are risking their lives. In the emergency department, we see the severe consequences of diphenhydramine poisoning, which can rapidly escalate from flushing and confusion to dangerous heart arrhythmias, seizures, and even fatal cardiac arrest. An over-the-counter label does not mean the drug is safe at any dose.” — David Bergamo, MD, Associate Director, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center

From the Pediatrician Perspective:

“From a pediatric standpoint, prevention and open communication are our best tools against these trends. Parents should lock up all medications, including common allergy pills, and have honest, direct conversations with their teenagers – and even pre-teens – about the severe risks hidden in social media challenges before they ever reach the hospital doors.” — Moses Olorunnisola, MD, Pediatrician, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center

“We are seeing an alarming normalization of medication misuse fueled by online challenges. As pediatricians, we urge families to regularly audit their medicine cabinets, safely dispose of expired or unused OTC drugs, and actively monitor what their children are exposed to online to stop these poisoning events before they start.” — Katharine Clouser, MD, pediatric hospitalist at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack Meridian University Medical Center and former president of the NJ Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

From the Psychiatry Perspective:

“Anxiety and depression have climbed significantly in kids. While many factors are involved – such as family situations, puberty, and feelings of disconnect – social media can definitely contribute to and amplify these mental health issues. With 55% of parents reporting they are very concerned about their teen’s mental health, it’s vital to watch for changes from your child’s baseline. Look beyond normal teen behavior like wanting privacy or being moody; watch for noticeable changes in school performance, hygiene, sleep patterns, unexplained physical complaints, or pulling away from loved ones. When you see a teen acting very differently than they used to, start a conversation. Start with a simple observation like, ‘You don’t seem yourself lately, are you doing okay?’ Even if they don’t talk at first, you have opened the door for when they do need to talk.” — Stacy Doumas, MD, Chair of Psychiatry, Southern Region, Hackensack Meridian Health and Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Jersey Shore University Medical Center

Essential practices to stop the misuse of household medications:

• Keep drugs under lock and key: Store all medications in a secure, locked location so that children, curious teens and young adults cannot get to them.
• Supervise all doses: An adult should always be the one in charge of dispensing medication. Minors should never be allowed to take medicine on their own.
• Clean out your medicine cabinet: Routinely clear your home of any leftover or out-of-date drugs, including both over-the-counter and prescription products.
• Dispose of drugs responsibly: Bring your unwanted pills to a community medication disposal kiosk, or safely hand them over during National Prescription Drug Take Back events, which happen twice a year in April and October.

If you suspect your child has ingested a toxic amount of medication, immediately contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or call 911. For more resources visit Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health.

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