Oklahoma Doctors Discourage New Viral Internet Phenomenon

It's a viral phenomenon on the internet, and everyone from NBA stars to the current governor of Illinois has tried it. It's called the cinnamon challenge.

While it can be funny to watch, doctors are now warning people not to do it.  The cinnamon challenge is pretty simple. Swallow a spoonful of cinnamon in under a minute, without any water.

There's no reward, except maybe a funny video on the internet.

What usually gets the most laughs is what they call dragon breath, the cloud of cinnamon that the challengers cough up. But doctors say it's no laughing matter. As you're trying to clear the cinnamon out of your lungs, the lungs can essentially collapse.

There have been reports across the country of kids having to be put on ventilator support after taking the challenge.

News On 6 talked to an Oklahoma doctor about the dangers of the cinnamon challenge.

"You're inhaling a chemical particle that goes into your airway, not necessarily where it's supposed to go. Any kind of powder is an irritant of your airway.  It causes irritation, coughing, sometimes choking. But also, cinnamon has really an add-on. It's a spice. Spice is a very strong irritant," said Dr. Lodie Naimeh.

Several school districts across the country have either sent warning letters home to parents about the dangers of the challenge, or banned certain types of shoes that are used to smuggle vials of cinnamon into schools.

Tulsa Public Schools told News On 6 it hasn't experienced any issues involving the cinnamon challenge.