According to a new report by WIRED the over-the-counter antihistamine Benadryl (active ingredient diphenhydramine) is increasingly being consumed in high, non-therapeutic doses by teenagers and young adults in the U.S., in an effort to trigger hallucinations or a “trip” akin to other controlled substances. The trend is alarming experts who say the drug’s deliriant properties can lead to cognitive damage, physical harm and even death.
The hook is disturbing but revealing: dips into the subculture show young people taking anywhere from 12 to 25 pills in a single session, far above therapeutic dose guidelines. Many describe experiencing the so-called “Hat Man” hallucination—a faceless, top-hatted figure emerging during the trip. Unlike psychedelics such as LSD or psilocybin, the experience of a Benadryl-deliriant high is universally described as terrifying rather than euphoric.
The context of this trend is tied to several factors. First, diphenhydramine is a common antihistamine available widely without prescription, and its accessibility and low cost make it appealing to younger users. As one interviewee put it: “I can go down to my one corner store … buy 100 capsules of Benadryl for, like, three bucks.” Second, the rise of social-media driven challenges and the “Benadryl Challenge” (which surfaced on platforms like TikTok) has amplified peer pressure and viral appeal. The challenge often involves taking massive doses for the purpose of capturing a psychedelic-style experience and sharing it online.
