The condom snorting challenge: or can the world get more dumb?

Internet star or just an idiot?

By: Gere Iverson - MSTv staff writer

Its been argued that the current generations of Millennials and Gen-Z's are the most media savvy and competent - creating and embracing all that is cool, hip and trendy.  But, when does being innovative turn to foolish and dangerous?  We present to you a good answer: a new challenge trend called 'condom snorting.'

And rest assured, the act is exactly what it sounds like.

If you can, consider taking a loose condom, stuffing it up one of your nostrils then deep inhaling the rubber until it slides into your throat - then you pull it out of your mouth...  Errr, why???

Apparently, this is just the latest trend of foolish and dangerous challenges that teens and young adults have readily jumped upon.  And with the broad reach and hypnotic appeal of social media, young adults continue and build upon these foolish activities, just because they look funny or cool.  

And here we thought Jackass went off the air years ago. 

But what might have originated these acts?  Apparently, two medical cases of "accidental condom inhalation" exist from a 2004 report in the Indian Journal of Chest Diseases and Allied Sciences. One case recounted where a 27-year-old woman unintentionally sucked a condom down her throat and into her lungs during oral sex. It led to pneumonia and a collapsed lung.  The other case outlined a 26-year-old woman, who accidentally swallowed a condom; where a piece traveled to her appendix and caused appendicitis.  But, the key difference is that these two cases were accidents.

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Despite expert warnings of pain, infections and potentially even death from these actions, more teens are attempting this challenge on their various social sites and pages.  Yet is it even worth it for a simple payout of more likes and views?Health experts strongly warn against this and other social media challenges. And though the concept isn't new, its gained popularity over the last five years. 

The challenge itself, goes back about a decade. But, it gained popularity due to a 2013 video which showed a woman inhaling a condom to a Taylor Swift video. But as expected, it appears the increased popularity of the condom-snorting challenge can only be related to the recent warnings about this activity.

Its probably time to use more condoms - just the right way.