Friday’s health headlines

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Behaviors to reduce dementia risk, boozers behaving badly and the ‘Benadryl Challenge’ — here are this week’s health headlines. 

TikTok stunt dares teens to pop allergy pills

A dangerous trend on the social media platform TikTok has teens downing Benadryl as a means to get high and gain followers. Doctors across the country have seen patients coming in admitting to having swallowed over a dozen of the allergy pills to complete the challenge. Side effects of an overdose, they say, include hallucinations, irregular heartbeat and seizures to name a few. 

Tips to reduce dementia risk

Scientists from the University of Southern California say physical activity, social contact and continued education can reduce the chances of getting dementia later in life. Obesity, depression and high blood pressure, on the other hand, can increase the risk of the condition. Dementia is a progressive brain disorder associated with aging and affects 5.7 million people in the U.S. 

One-third of people surveyed admit to getting naked in public while intoxicated

A survey by researchers at addiction.com found that people getting a bit too tipsy these days are regretting more than just the hangover. Of over 2,000 respondents, one-third admitted to public nudity while under the influence. And 4% said they had gotten a drunken tattoo, while 10% claimed to have lit fires while inebriated.

To see the entire segment, click on the video.

News 8’s medical reporter, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Gillis, D.Ed., is a classically trained medical physiologist and biobehavioral research scientist. She has been a health, medical and science reporter for over 5 years. Her work has appeared in national media outlets. You can follow her on Instagram @reportergillis and on Facebook @DrMaryGillis.