Via iStockphoto / @coach_trax TikTok
High schoolers are participating in a new and dangerous trend involving chili peppers, according to one Texas teacher and football coach.
Three years ago, the “one chip” challenge, which involved eating an extremely hot chili pepper chip, rocked schools up and down the country. Now, a Texas-based football coach and teacher claims that another food challenge is rocking school halls.
In a video that has garnered 283,300 views, the TikTok user (@coach_trax) warned viewers that this time, spicy peppers are the problem.
“The dumbest, most dangerous trend is currently happening in high schools. You need to be aware of it,” he begins, before adding that teachers need to be “alert” and students need to “stop” what they’re doing.
“I understand high school is all about clout, OK, and getting notoriety and all that. It’s all about social status. I’m aware of that. But what people are doing right now has to stop,” he says.
He explains he has heard of four to five students participating in this trend.
As for the trend itself, he explains, “The students are currently eating either Carolina Reaper peppers, ghost peppers, any hot hot hot pepper they can get their hands on. … It’s not going over well.”
He continues, “Trying to explain to a group of like 16, 17, 18-year-olds that sure, you may be able to eat it, but it’s all the effects of what it does to your stomach afterwards. Like, they don’t get it.”
“OK, y’all have to stop doing this. It’s not going to end well,” he ends his clip.
BroBible reached out to the TikToker via Instagram direct message.
Mixed Feelings
Commenters had mixed feelings on the brutal eating challenge.
“Sounds like an opportunity for natural consequences,” one wrote. “It’s the best teacher.”
“Some lessons need to be experienced to be learned,” a second agreed.
Meanwhile, a third said, “People laughing don’t realize how different a child stomach is. This is more dangerous than an adult eating them.”
And a fourth commented, “My oldest did the one chip challenge in college, it was so hot that it messed up his stomach for 4 months and he could only eat bland foods. It’s not worth it!”
Elsewhere, a fifth admitted, “In my high school in 10th grade we played chicken with the trains. Last guy to jump off tracks won ….Thinking back we were pretty dumb.”
Why Are People Doing These Chili Pepper Challenges?
In a 2023 article for Fortune about the “one chip challenge,” experts warned of the risks of getting sucked into food challenges like this. According to Elisa Truco, an associate professor of psychology at Florida International University, there is a “glamorization of these challenges on social media.”
“You see a lot of ‘likes’ or comments (indicating) social status or popularity from these challenges, but you don’t see a lot of the negative consequences—like the trips to the E.R. or other injuries,” they explain.
Similarly, Alexander DePaoli, an associate teaching professor of marketing at Northeastern University, suggested that people might undertake this challenge in order to feel a sense of “in-group belonging.”
What Makes These Challenges Dangerous?
The thing that makes chili peppers spicy is a naturally occurring substance known as capsaicin. According to the National Capital Poison Center, ingesting capsaicin can cause both uncomfortable and fatal conditions. Usually, people will get symptoms like intestinal discomfort and mouth burning, irritation, or pain.
In more serious cases, consuming capsaicin can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, allergic reactions, heart palpitations, heart attack, and strokes. The vomiting caused by capsaicin can also lead to life-threatening oesophageal damage, the site notes.
@coach_trax I legit can’t believe students are doing this 🙃🙃🙃 #teacherlife #teachersoftiktok #teachertok #teacherfunny