Load up YouTube. Search, “Cinnamon challenge”. You’ll laugh, either at the stupidity of the subjects in the video, or their spasmodic gagging, or both. If you’re young, you might be tempted to take the challenge yourself. Don’t. Apart from being intensely uncomfortable, you’ll probably permanently damage your lungs.

In a report published in the May issue of Pediatrics Journal, 30 young Americans required medical treatment after they ingested the spice. The report also said that cinnamon, a caustic substance made from tree bark, can cause scarring in the lungs. Choking, throat irritation, respiratory trouble and collapsed lungs are other possible annoyances.

Dr Stephen Pont, spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics said the report was:

a call to arms to parents and doctors to be aware of things like the Cinnamon Challenge.

After attempting the “Cinnamon Challenge,” 16 year old teen Dejah Reed was hosptiallised for four days and now suffers from shortness of breath.

I was laughing very hard and I coughed it out and I inhaled it into my lungs. I couldn’t breathe.

It is not cool, it’s dangerous.

[Source: Sky News, YouTube]