Everyone enjoys a funny TikTok video, but more frequently people are turning to this medium meant for entertainment for advice. There are thousands of videos promoting unconventional health and wellness trends that have little to no scientific backing and can often even be harmful if they are done incorrectly. “Social media should be used with extreme caution when pursuing health and wellbeing related information,” David Hill, MD, Director of Clinical Research at Waterbury Pulmonary Associates says.
“Health care professionals undergo years of education and have professional certification and licensure to ensure that the information they provide to patients is scientifically based and up to date.” But many people turn to the internet for answers to their problems instead of discussing them directly with their healthcare provider.
We looked at a few trendy topics to learn just how dangerous TikTok medicine can be.
The Hazards of Dry Scooping
Dry scooping is the practice of scooping pre-workout supplements, creatine or protein powder directly into the mouth, without mixing it with water or another liquid before ingesting. The trend started because of claims on social media that dry scooping led to faster absorption and a greater energy boost prior to exercise. But not only is this not effective, it is extremely unsafe.
Most pre-workout powders are packed with caffeine and other stimulants. When used traditionally —added to water and drunk over a period of time — they claim to supercharge your system and provide sustained energy as your body slowly absorbs the product. If ingested directly, however, dry scooping can cause aspiration of the powder into your lungs potentially causing pneumonia, airway inflammation, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. It can also cause direct irritation of the throat and esophagus and worsen dental disease.
“There are no proven benefits and no scientific evidence to support dry scooping claims,” Dr. David Hill explains. “But there have been reports of heart attacks and other cardiac events due to overdosing on the stimulants in some workout powders.” This is due to the caffeine hitting the system too fast and concentrated, leading to an increased heart rate and blood pressure.
“Supplements should always be used according to the label instructions and, ideally, any supplement use should be discussed with your healthcare professional.”
The Perils of Mouth Taping
Taping your mouth shut while sleeping has become a popular trend endorsed by celebrities and social media influencers. The benefit claims range from improving your sleep to changing the appearance of your jawline. But no scientific evidence has found any of these claims to be valid, and the risks are significant. The goal of mouth taping is to promote breathing through the nose instead of the mouth. But there are many reasons someone might not be able to breathe through their nose and making it harder to breathe through your mouth can be dangerous. Particularly for people with sleep apnea, chronic nasal congestion or other structural airway issues, mouth taping can restrict airflow to your brain and body. One study even found that sealing your mouth shut in this way could pose “a serious risk of asphyxiation.”
Over 30 million people in the U.S. have sleep apnea, though many are undiagnosed. This sleep disorder, which can cause snoring, results in pauses in breathing while someone is asleep. “Sleep apnea is a significant chronic medical problem which can lead to life threatening medical issues over time, and snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea in some patients,” Dr. Hill says. “Seeking the advice of a medical professional is the best way to address snoring and sleep-related complaints before trying home remedies.”
The Pitfalls of Putting Garlic in Your Nose
Some influencers swear by home remedies for colds, and putting a clove of garlic in your nose to clear congestion is one such suggestion. Though viral videos show mucus flowing out of someone's nostril after removing the clove, the reason is concerning. Experts agree that not only does garlic in the nose not help congestion, but it can also cause it.
Garlic contains elements that can irritate the delicate mucus membranes in your nose, which may cause your nose to produce more mucus as a defense mechanism. Additionally, leaving garlic in your nose can damage the nasal lining, which can cause swelling, nosebleeds and even lead to infection. The garlic clove can also get lodged in the nasal passageway, which can make it hard to breathe.
“There is no evidence that putting garlic in your nose or inhaling garlic is beneficial (except perhaps in Transylvania),” Dr. Hill jokes. “There are approved over the counter medications which can help treat nasal congestion when used as directed. If nasal symptoms such as congestion are persistent, talk to your healthcare provider.”
The takeaway is clear. If you need health or wellbeing advice, it is best to discuss any issues directly with a healthcare professional. If you want to consult an online source, be sure it is reputable and the information is based on scientific facts. Hospital and healthcare systems, professional organizations, and non-profit organizations are a good place to start.
Learn more at www.Lung.org.
Blog last updated: March 12, 2026
