Skip to main content

What is the Benadryl hat man?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on April 20, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

The Hat Man is a fictional figure that started appearing on certain internet sites in the early 2000s that has recently been referred to as the “Benadryl Hat Man” after reports of people hallucinating and sighting him after overconsumption or abuse of Benadryl. Most of these reports have appeared on Reddit or the image-based bulletin site 4chan.

The Hat Man has also been associated with abuse of any mind-altering substance taken to excess and there is a mini-documentary about him being associated with sleep paralysis on YouTube.

High doses of Benadryl can cause heart arrhythmias, delirium, psychosis, seizures, coma, and death.


References
  • How the ‘Hat Man’ Went From Benadryl Joke to TikTok Horror Villain. Nov 2, 2022. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/hat-man-benadryl-tiktok-monster-1234620397/
  • Diphenhydramine toxicity. The University of Utah. Nov 15, 2021.
  • https://poisoncontrol.utah.edu/news/2021/11/diphenhydramine-toxicity#:~:text=Diphenhydramine%20is%20an%20antihistamine%20that,ingestions%20%3E%2020%20mg%2Fkg.

Read next

Benadryl is quickly absorbed after oral administration and it starts to work within 30 minutes with peak effects reached within one to two hours. The effects of Benadryl last from four to six hours. Benadryl in the injectable form has a rapid onset of action. You will know when Benadryl starts to work because your allergy symptoms, such as congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, or a skin rash, will start to feel better. Continue reading

One of the most common side effects with Benadryl is drowsiness, but in some people it can have the opposite effect, known as paradoxical excitation. Instead of feeling sleepy,
you may experience excitation, agitation or insomnia (trouble sleeping), which might make your anxiety symptoms feel worse. This may be more common in young children. Continue reading

Benadryl (generic name: diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine that causes sleepiness in most people. Some people use Benadryl to help with sleep or insomnia, but this should only be for short-term use. Do not use Benadryl to make a child sleepy. Contact your doctor if you or your child are having trouble with sleep. Continue reading

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups

Medical Disclaimer