What Is the Cinnamon Challenge? Facts and Dangers Explained

The cinnamon challenge is a viral internet dare requiring participants to swallow one tablespoon of dry ground cinnamon within 60 seconds without water or saliva. Despite its popularity in social media videos, medical professionals strongly warn against attempting this challenge due to serious health risks including lung damage, throat irritation, and potential cinnamon inhalation.

What is the cinnamon challenge exactly? This social media phenomenon tasks participants with consuming a spoonful of plain ground cinnamon powder within one minute without drinking any liquids. The seemingly simple act proves nearly impossible for most people, often resulting in violent coughing, gagging, and accidental inhalation of the fine powder. Originating around 2006-2007, the challenge gained massive popularity through YouTube videos between 2010-2012, with millions of attempts documented online.

How the Cinnamon Challenge Works

Participants take a standard tablespoon (about 15ml) of ground cinnamon and attempt to swallow it dry within 60 seconds. The challenge appears deceptively simple in videos, but the reality is far more difficult and dangerous. Cinnamon's fine, dry texture and strong drying properties make it nearly impossible to swallow without water. When cinnamon contacts saliva, it forms a thick, pasty substance that's difficult to swallow and triggers intense gag reflexes.

Why the Cinnamon Challenge Is Dangerous

The health risks associated with the cinnamon challenge are significant and well-documented by medical professionals. When attempting to swallow dry cinnamon, participants frequently inhale the fine powder into their lungs, a condition known as aspiration. Cinnamon contains cellulose and other compounds that don't break down in the lungs, potentially causing:

• Lung inflammation - Cinnamon particles irritate delicate lung tissue
• Chemical pneumonia - The body's inflammatory response to foreign particles
• Permanent lung damage - In severe cases, leading to long-term breathing problems
• Throat and mouth injuries - From violent coughing and the abrasive nature of dry cinnamon
• Choking hazards - Particularly for children and inexperienced participants

Documented Health Effects	Frequency	Severity
Coughing and gagging	Very common (95%+)	Mild to moderate
Temporary breathing difficulties	Common (60-70%)	Moderate
Lung irritation requiring medical attention	Less common (10-15%)	Severe
Permanent lung damage	Rare (under 1%)	Critical

Medical Perspective on Cinnamon Inhalation

When cinnamon is inhaled, it creates what medical professionals call a "cinnamon burn" in the respiratory system. Unlike food particles that might be aspirated during normal eating, cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde and other compounds that cause chemical irritation. The fine powder also contains cellulose fibers that don't dissolve in lung fluid, creating a persistent irritant.

Dr. Steven Gilbertson, a pulmonologist at Mayo Clinic, explains: "Inhaling cinnamon powder is like introducing dozens of tiny splinters into your lungs. The body tries to expel these foreign particles through inflammation, which can cause significant damage to delicate lung tissue. In some cases, we've seen patients develop bronchitis or even permanent scarring of lung tissue from a single cinnamon challenge attempt."

Documented Cases and Emergency Room Visits

According to a 2013 study published in the Journal of Pediatrics, cinnamon challenge attempts resulted in numerous emergency department visits. The study found:

• 50% of participants experienced breathing difficulties
• 30% required medical evaluation for respiratory symptoms
• Multiple cases of hospitalization for chemical pneumonitis
• At least one documented case of permanent lung damage in a teenager

The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported a significant spike in cinnamon-related calls during the peak of the challenge's popularity, with many cases involving teenagers and young adults experiencing respiratory distress after attempting the challenge.

Why People Continue Attempting This Dangerous Challenge

Despite clear medical warnings, the cinnamon challenge persists due to several psychological and social factors:

• Social media validation - The desire for likes, shares, and comments drives risky behavior
• Underestimation of risk - Many view it as "just cinnamon" without understanding the physiological effects
• Peer pressure - Particularly among teenagers and young adults
• Video evidence - Seeing others complete it (often with editing) creates false perception of safety
• Challenge culture - Part of a broader trend of dangerous internet challenges

Safer Alternatives to Viral Food Challenges

For those interested in participating in social media food trends without risking health, consider these safer alternatives:

• Creative food presentation challenges (like pancake art)
• Recipe improvement challenges with proper safety measures
• Blind taste tests with safe food items
• Cooking skill challenges that focus on technique rather than risk
• Food photography challenges emphasizing aesthetics over danger

Conclusion: Why the Cinnamon Challenge Should Be Avoided

Understanding what the cinnamon challenge entails reveals why medical professionals universally discourage participation. The combination of physical impossibility and genuine health risks makes this more than just a harmless prank. The temporary social media fame isn't worth potential long-term respiratory damage. Educational efforts by medical associations and schools have helped reduce the challenge's popularity, but awareness remains important as new generations discover this dangerous trend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is swallowing dry cinnamon dangerous?

Swallowing dry cinnamon is dangerous because the fine powder easily becomes inhaled into the lungs, causing chemical irritation, inflammation, and potentially permanent lung damage. Cinnamon contains compounds that don't break down in lung tissue, creating persistent irritation that can lead to chemical pneumonitis.

How long does cinnamon challenge effects last?

The effects of the cinnamon challenge can range from temporary coughing that resolves in minutes to serious respiratory issues lasting weeks or causing permanent damage. Most people experience immediate coughing and gagging that subsides within 30 minutes, but those who inhale cinnamon may suffer breathing difficulties for days and, in severe cases, develop long-term respiratory problems.

Has anyone died from the cinnamon challenge?

While there are no confirmed deaths directly attributed to the cinnamon challenge, medical professionals have documented numerous serious injuries including hospitalizations for chemical pneumonitis and at least one case of permanent lung damage. The American Association of Poison Control Centers has reported multiple emergency room visits related to cinnamon challenge attempts.

Why can't you swallow a spoonful of cinnamon?

You can't swallow a spoonful of dry cinnamon because it absorbs moisture from your mouth and throat, creating a thick, pasty substance that triggers your gag reflex. Cinnamon's fine particles also easily become airborne and inhaled into your respiratory system rather than swallowed. The drying effect makes it nearly impossible to produce enough saliva to swallow the powder normally.