Recently, a social media challenge which has led to many people not just trying it on, but to up the game a little bit is the Nicki Minaj Challenge. The challenge is inspired by the pop-artist Nicki Minaj's 2013 song High School, where she sits near the pool in her high heels stiletto with her legs crossed. Many users are now not only recreating this pose, but are also trying to balance this pose on objects to make it more challenging.

Attempting this challenge, a Russian influence Mariana Barutkina tried to balance the pose on cans, and ended up fracturing her back just weeks after giving birth. The new mom influencer shared the 'challenge fail' video of her falling as she lost her balance on top of a can of baby formula, stacked on top of a saucepan, while she ore high heels. The video shows that someone helped her maintain balance and as soon as she let go the hand, she lost her balance and fell.

However, this is not the first time something like this has happened. Social media challenges, as trendy as they may be, has had detrimental health consequences, so much so that studies by numerous international health journals and advisories have been issued.

Here are some of the social media challenges that has sparked health controversies:

Blue Whale Challenge

A 2019 study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, noted that the "Blue Whale Challenge" started by a Russian psychologist, who thought that a person with "no value" should end their life, as does the whale which "strands" itself. The challenge soon spread to other countries including Ukraine, India and the United States.

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The online game, popularly known as the "suicide game" aimed at teenagers which set 50 tasks over 50 days. Where those who took this challenge were asked to do easy tasks like waking up in the middle of the night or to watch a scary film. However, as days passed these tasks grew dangerous, leading to "cutting a whale in your arm" and eventually killing yourself.

The Benadryl Challenge

In 2020, notes Cleveland Clinic, TikTok challenge urged users to consume large amounts of the over-the-counter drug diphenhydramine, also known as Benadryl. This caused hallucinations or induce an altered mental state.

Experts have spoken out against this challenge, as it can lead to addiction issues, as well as other health risks. The challenge, which had gained popularity among pre-teens and teens, urged users to take 12 or more tablets at a time, whereas the direction say children aged 6 to 12, can take ne tablet every 4 to 6 hours. Whereas, for adults, no more than two tablets must be consumed, in 4 to 6 hours.

Overdose of Benadryl can lead to high body temperature and heart rate, confusion, sedation, delirium, hallucination, blurred vision, which could result in falls and injury, urinary retention, nausea, omitting, dizziness, and even death.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also issued an advisory against the high dose and misuse of the same on September 24, 2020. The advisory also noted: "We are aware of news reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the “Benadryl Challenge” encouraged in videos posted on the social media application TikTok."

The Sleepy Chicken Challenge

While mostly fictional, and used as a joke, social media did start a challenge where photos of "Nyquill Chicken" were circulated. The joke was that people could now coat chicken in cough medicine, cook it on the stove and eat.

On this too, FDA issued an advisory explaining why you should never heat up cough medicine and why overdosing is dangerous. However, it is important to note that it was always a joke on TikTok.

The Blackout Challenge

Another TikTok's viral challenge, which had made waves somewhere between end of 2020 to beginning of 2021 was the 'Blackout Challenge', where kids from around the world were choking themselves with household items until they blacked out. The challenge encouraged that they would get adrenaline rush once they would regain their consciousness and then post the video on social media.

Bloomberg reports, that a 10-year-old girl form Palermo, Sicily, named Antonella Sicomero, had been found hanging from a towel rack in January with a bathrobe belt around her neck.

The One Chip Challenge

The 'One Chip' challenge was promoted by Paqui, a tortilla chip company, with the package that red "One Chip Challenge". The chips were flavored with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers. The challenge involved eating the single spicy tortilla chip, then waiting as long as possible before eating or drinking anything else.

However, the challenge led to many people facing medical problems, including a 14-year-old boy who died within hours after he took this challenge in September 2023. Many reported experiencing mouth irritation, pain, or burning, along with intestinal discomfort. Furthermore, in extreme cases there were shortness of breath, allergic reactions, chest pain, heart palpitations, and heart attacks or strokes.

The company discontinued its production after the 14-year-old boy's demise.

Tramadol, a strong synthetic opioid, has been commonly prescribed for moderate to severe pain. However, a recent study suggests that its risks may outweigh its modest benefits for chronic pain, and its use should be carefully reconsidered. Published in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, the study found that tramadol may offer only a slight reduction in chronic pain, with limited evidence supporting its effectiveness.

More worryingly, it could contribute to long-term health problems that might become life-threatening. Let’s examine the study’s findings in detail.

What Is Tramadol Used For?

Tramadol is a prescription, only synthetic opioid used to manage moderate to severe pain. It works by changing how the brain and nervous system perceive pain, according to Medline Plus. Its uses include:

• Acute pain: Immediate-release formulations help manage short-term, intense pain, such as after surgery or an injury.
• Chronic pain: Extended-release tablets and capsules are used for persistent, severe pain when other treatments have failed.
• Condition-specific pain: It may be prescribed for ongoing pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain.

Tramadol Can Lead To Serious Health Issues?

A new review suggests that millions of Americans with chronic pain may be prescribed tramadol, a drug that may provide minimal relief. Even more concerning, the research highlights that the medication could increase the risk of serious health complications, including heart disease, the leading cause of death in the US.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 51.6 million adults in the US, roughly one in five, experience chronic pain, with 17.1 million having pain that interferes with daily life or work. Tramadol has often been used to manage this pain, with 16 million prescriptions written for the drug in 2023 alone. Traditionally seen as a “safer alternative” to stronger opioids, tramadol has been perceived to carry fewer side effects and a lower risk of addiction.

Given conflicting evidence from earlier limited studies, Danish researchers decided to evaluate whether tramadol is truly effective and safe for chronic pain. “The findings suggest that the benefits of tramadol are questionable or uncertain. Additionally, there is evidence of potentially harmful effects,” said Dr. Janus Jakobsen, lead author and clinical professor at the University of Southern Denmark.

Tramadol Side Effects

Tramadol can cause serious side effects, including heart-related issues such as chest pain, heart disease, or congestive heart failure. The study also found it increased the risk of both mild and serious adverse events, including nausea, dizziness, constipation, drowsiness, and cardiac complications. It may also be linked to neoplasm events, abnormal cell growths that can lead to tumors, which may be benign or malignant.

These findings, published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, arrive amid the ongoing opioid crisis in the US, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives since the late 1990s. Research indicates that around 12% of patients treated with opioids for chronic pain may develop addiction or misuse the drugs, raising the risk of overdose and other severe outcomes.

The opioid epidemic was declared a national public health emergency by President Trump in 2017, and the death toll has continued to rise in the years since.

A major part of your health depends on your sleep. While you may delay your sleep or skip it to do other tasks, your body keeps the score. You may be slowly pushing yourself into not just physical health issues, but also mental health issues.

While sleep may seem like an easy thing, you only need enough time for there are many aspects of it that could reveal whether you are sleeping well or not. In a recent post, Dr Christopher J Allen, MD, a US board-certified sleep doctor, revealed 10 important sleep facts that one must know.

Sleep Advice You Need For Proper Rest

In the video titled, “Advice I’d give you as a sleep doctor for a decade – If I wasn’t afraid of hurting your feelings” he gave the below mentioned advice.

Snoozing Doesn't Help

Hitting the snooze button actually confuses your brain. It starts a new sleep cycle that you immediately interrupt. This guarantees you will feel more groggy and tired all morning, not rested. Just get up when the alarm first rings.

Late-Night Energy Isn't Natural

Feeling "wired" late at night isn't natural energy. It usually means you've had too much stimulation, you're dehydrated, and you're stuck in a constant stress cycle. Your body is running on high alert, not true fuel.

Instant Sleep Isn't Healthy

If you fall asleep the second your head hits the pillow, you don't have great sleep; you have a problem. It's a clear sign of severe exhaustion or a major sleep debt built up from missing sleep over time.

You Need Recovery, Not Stimulants

Your constant low energy can't be fixed by simply drinking more caffeine. Your real issue is a lack of proper recovery. You need more REM sleep—the deep, restorative kind—to truly solve your energy problem.

Midnight Waking Is Stress-Related

Waking up sharply at 3 AM is not random bad luck. It often happens because your stress hormones, called cortisol, start pumping during the night. Your body is on high alert, starting its "night shift" while you should be resting.

Scrolling Isn't Relaxing

You think you're relaxing when you scroll through your phone, but your nervous system disagrees. The bright screen and constant stimulation signal danger to your brain, putting you into survival mode instead of calming you down.

Weekend Catch-Up Doesn't Work

Trying to "catch up" on sleep during the weekend doesn't fix your sleep debt. It simply throws off your body's internal clock (circadian rhythm). This actually makes it much harder to wake up and start your week on Monday.

You Can't 'Get Used To' 5 Hours

Science shows that believing you are "used to" only five hours of sleep is dangerous. Your body is actually quietly suffering damage and breaking down. You need more sleep to avoid long-term health risks.

Tiredness Starts Before Bed

Waking up feeling completely exhausted isn't usually your mattress's fault. It’s often connected to your stress mindset, the food you eat, and those sneaky stress hormone spikes that happen while you should be deeply sleeping.

Most Important Factor For Sleep

The health expert ended the post by explaining your body can't truly heal and recover if you keep it in the same environment and under the same stress that makes you feel run down. Your bedroom and your nightly routine are actually a direct reflection of your entire lifestyle.

The core scientific truth is that your body isn't being lazy, it is genuinely exhausted, and your brain isn't broken, it's just begging for the safety and security that comes from good, proper rest.

According to India’s National Mental Health Survey, nearly 3.5% of the country’s population experiences anxiety disorders each year, often triggered by work stress, relationship problems, or distressing events. While mild anxiety is a normal part of life, persistent or unmanaged anxiety can keep older adults in a constant state of tension.

This long-term stress may increase heart rate, affect mood, and, as experts now warn, even raise blood pressure (BP). The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety as ongoing feelings of worry or unease that can cause physical reactions such as a faster heartbeat or sweating.

The APA also notes that anxiety can temporarily elevate blood pressure. In turn, people with chronic high blood pressure, or hypertension, may develop anxiety about their health, creating a cycle where each condition worsens the other.

Can Anxiety Lead To Blood Pressure?

Anxiety is the body’s built-in response to stress. It’s common to feel anxious before a major exam or while awaiting important news. When this happens, the body releases stress hormones that raise the heart rate and narrow blood vessels, both of which can push blood pressure higher.

A 2015 study by Medical News Today found that individuals with severe anxiety faced a greater risk of developing hypertension compared to those with milder symptoms. Researchers emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of anxiety, especially for people who already have high blood pressure.

In most cases, anxiety-related spikes in blood pressure are short-lived and return to normal once the person calms down. However, constant anxiety can strain the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels much like long-term hypertension does. Over time, hormonal changes linked to anxiety may lead to fat accumulation, especially around the waist. Anxiety can also alter daily habits, such as causing stress eating, which may indirectly raise blood pressure.

Signs of Anxiety-Induced High Blood Pressure

A normal blood pressure reading typically falls between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. For adults over 80, readings below 150/90 mmHg are considered healthy. When readings consistently rise above these levels, it can indicate hypertension. Some anxiety medications can also increase blood pressure. For example, serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, are known to cause a rise in BP. Common symptoms of anxiety that may contribute to higher blood pressure include:

• Trembling or shaking
• Excessive sweating
• Chest pain
• Headaches
• Nausea or stomach discomfort
• Irritability
• Dizziness or shortness of breath

Can High Blood Pressure Also Trigger Anxiety?

High blood pressure itself can sometimes lead to feelings of anxiety. People diagnosed with hypertension may start worrying about their long-term health or potential complications. The symptoms of hypertension, such as headaches, vision problems, or an irregular heartbeat can also cause distress or panic. According to Medical News Today, signs of hypertension can include:

• Vision changes
• Headaches
• Irregular heart rhythm
• Buzzing in the ears

Severe hypertension can also provoke anxiety. If someone feels unusually anxious and experiences symptoms like headaches or shortness of breath, it is important to seek immediate medical help.

Since hypertension often develops without clear warning signs, it can be difficult to tell whether the cause of discomfort is anxiety or high blood pressure. This is why regular check-ups with a doctor are essential for monitoring and managing both conditions effectively.