Ingesting and Aspirating Dry Cinnamon by Children and Adolescents: The “Cinnamon Challenge”

Abstract

The “Cinnamon Challenge” entails swallowing a tablespoon of ground cinnamon in 60 seconds without drinking fluids. However, as stated on www.cinnamonchallenge.com, this challenge is practically impossible, decidedly unpleasant, and potentially harmful. The site warns: “Do not attempt the cinnamon challenge without talking to a doctor. Obviously they [sic] are going to tell you not to do it. [It] can be dangerous and shouldn’t be taken lightly. You never want to purposely or mistakenly inhale any substances such as cinnamon. It’s going to burn, you are going to cough, and regret you tried.”1 Videos of people attempting the Cinnamon Challenge have become an Internet sensation. Typically, a video reveals a group of adolescents watching as someone taking the challenge begins coughing and choking when the spice triggers a severe gag reflex in response to a caustic sensation in the mouth and throat. As of August 10, 2012, there were 51 100 YouTube clips depicting the Cinnamon Challenge. One video was viewed >19 million times, predominantly by 13- to 24-year-olds, ages similar to people taking the Cinnamon Challenge and associated with the greatest need for conformity. These videos have raised concerns of choking, aspiration, and pulmonary damage. In most cases, the effects are temporary, yet the Cinnamon Challenge has led to dozens of calls to poison centers, emergency department visits, and even hospitalizations for adolescents requiring ventilator support for collapsed lungs.2 Cinnamon is a caustic powder composed of cellulose fibers, which are bioresistant and biopersistent; they neither dissolve nor biodegrade in the lungs. We found no studies … Address correspondence to Steven E. Lipshultz, MD, Department of Pediatrics (D820), Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, PO Box 016820, Miami, FL 33101. E-mail: slipshultz{at}med.miami.edu