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TikTok trends come and go all the time. Some, like the Hot Girl Walk, are worth considering—they boast physical and mental health benefits.
But the latest challenge known as NyQuil Chicken is catching the attention of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and for good reason.
In fact, the FDA
“Boiling a drug can make it much more concentrated and change its properties in other ways,” it said. “Even if you don’t eat the chicken, breathing in the fumes of the drug while cooking can cause high levels of the drug to enter your body. It can also hurt your lungs.
Health care providers unequivocally agree: Don’t try this challenge.
“It’s a terrible idea because drugs should only be used as directed,” says Betty Choi, MD, a pediatrician and author of The Human Body’s Learning Lab.
At the same time, there was some backlash about the warning, which was said to draw attention to a relatively unknown challenge.
But doctors and mental health providers say it’s still important to discuss safe drug use, especially with children, teens and adults in their early 20s.
Read on to learn the risks, what to do if someone seems to have overdosed on NyQuil, and how to discuss drug abuse with young people.
Kelly Johnson-Arber, MD, FACEP, FUHM, FACMT, a medical toxicologist and assistant medical director at the National Capital Poison Center, explains that NyQuil consists of a combination of ingredients:
It is usually used to relieve symptoms of:
Although it can be an effective way to relieve illnesses and allergies, its misuse carries several risks.
Howard Pratt, DO, medical director of behavioral health at Community Health of South
Florida, Inc. (CHI) says these risks include:
Pratt agrees with the FDA that simply heating NyQuil even without consuming it can make it more potent, as does Johnson-Arbor.
“When the pan is heated, the alcohol and other volatile compounds in NyQuil will evaporate, leaving behind a concentrated amount of potentially poisonous NyQuil ingredients,” warns Johnson-Arber.
If you think someone has overdosed on NyQuil, the FDA advises you to call 911 or poison control at 1-800-222-1222.
Given the many risks of abusing NyQuil, especially through cooking, what would prompt someone to do so?
Providers share several factors, especially in teenagers and adults under 25.
Brain development
Experts note that the human brain does not fully develop until a person is about 25 years old.
“The part of the brain that develops last is the frontal cortex, which is responsible for cognition and judgment,” notes Dr. Julian Lagoy, a psychiatrist at Mindpath Health.
Young people are more likely to engage in risky behavior because their brains are still developing.
“At this point in development, they tend to take risks and engage in challenges and dares that adults wouldn’t attempt,” says Sarah Siddiqui, MD FAAP at NYU Langone Huntington Medical Group and assistant clinical professor at NYU Hassenfelds Children’s Hospital.
Of course, TikTok’s audience is aimed at the young.
According to 2022 PEW Research, about two-thirds of teens report having used the platform. This means that teenagers and young adults are especially at risk from “challenging” trends like NyQuil chicken.
Peer pressure
Peer pressure has long been associated with drug abuse, especially among teenagers, but research shows it can continue into adulthood.
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Choi agrees that peer pressure is a risk factor for participating in the NyQuil Chicken Challenge, especially for people who seek approval from others.
It seems safe on social media
TikTok users who participate in the NyQuil challenge appear to suffer no negative consequences, giving others a false sense of security.
However, this sense of security may not be the only thing that is false.
“What a lot of kids and even adults often don’t realize about a lot of these social media challenges is that people are faking it and not actually doing what they appear to be doing,” Pratt says.
Johnson-Arber points out that videos typically don’t show people eating chicken cooked in NyQuil, although they can be edited to make it look that way. Videos can also easily avoid showing negative side effects.
Experts say it’s important to discuss the NyQuil Chicken Challenge with people who may be at risk of participating.
Parents and other trusted adults can especially stimulate these discussions with teens and 20-somethings.
But does mentioning the NyQuil Chicken Challenge risk drawing unnecessary attention to it? Already, the FDA has received some backlash for issuing a warning.
According to data TikTok provided to BuzzFeed News, there were only five searches for NyQuil Chicken before the warning. Since then there have been thousands.
Choi says discussing drug abuse, even in general, can help.
“Even if your child doesn’t know about the TikTok videos, it’s a good idea to talk about drugs and drug safety,” she says.
Choi and others shared how to approach the conversation.
A model of safe drug use
In addition to not participating in these challenges, adults can also serve as role models when using medication or giving it to a child.
“The model reads the drug label and rechecks the dosage,” Choi suggests. “Talk about where you keep the medication and why it’s a safe place to store it.”
Choi also recommends using this time to discuss the purpose of the medication.
Approach from a place of care and respect
The “just say no to drugs” sit-down lecture from parents as their kids approach high school has changed.
Siddiqui suggests choosing a time when the young person is ready and open to a conversation. Then ask open-ended questions about what they know about certain drugs and the behavior of friends.
Lagoy says it’s important to let the person know why you want to discuss drugs further—not to scare them, but to guide them.
“Tell your kids you love them first, and you’re telling them that because you want them to be safe and you love them,” says Lagoy. “When kids hear that, they’re more likely to listen to you and respect and value your opinion.”
Teaching moments
If your child or friend has already participated in the challenge, it’s natural to feel concerned.
“I continue to talk to them and respect them so that they don’t do it again,” Lagoi says. “Sometimes kids are more likely to do something if you upset or humiliate them so they can be ‘rebels.’ If you speak to your children with respect and love, they are more likely to listen to you and respect your judgment and wisdom.
Seek to understand why they’ve done it, explain the dangers, and discuss better ways to assess social media challenges, such as asking a trusted adult for advice.
Discuss social media
Drug abuse is part of the NyQuil Chicken Challenge. Social media is the other.
The NyQuil Chicken Challenge isn’t the first dangerous thing to appear on TikTok, and it won’t be the last.
Pratt suggests reminding young people that not every video on social media is real.
“You also want to make sure they understand that … this is not an example of what actually happens in the real world, where there are often real consequences,” Pratt says.
In short, the NyQuil Chicken Challenge is another example of social media rampage.
Abuse of NyQuil can lead to a host of health problems, from difficulty breathing to seizures and in some cases even death.
While the trend may have subsided before the FDA warning, it’s still worth discussing with the young people in your life as a “teachable” moment.
You can use it as an opportunity to discuss how to use social media and over-the-counter drugs responsibly.
Beth Ann Meyer is a New York-based freelance writer and content strategist who specializes in writing about health and parenting. Her work has been published in Parents, Shape, and Inside Lacrosse. She is the co-founder of digital content agency Lemonseed Creative and a graduate of Syracuse University. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
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