<P> The challenge has been described online since 2001, and increased in popularity in 2007, peaking abruptly in January 2014 and falling off almost as sharply through the first half of that year, then tapering off almost to its previous level by 2014 . By 2010, many people had posted videos of themselves attempting this challenge on YouTube and other social networking websites . The cinnamon challenge continues to be active, with Twitter mentions peaking at nearly 70,000 per day in January 2012 . It is similar to the saltine cracker challenge, which involves ingesting at least six saltine crackers--also known as soda crackers--within 60 seconds without drinking anything, the Gallon challenge, and the Banana Sprite challenge . </P> <P> The stunt can be dangerous, as there is a risk of gagging on the cinnamon, especially if it forms a clump and clogs one's airways . Accidental inhalation of cinnamon can seriously damage the lungs by causing inflammation and leading to infection . The usual result of this stunt is "a coughing, gagging fit involving clouds of cinnamon" which "leaves some people gasping for air". Sometimes those performing the stunt may gag, choke or cough and accidentally exhale the cinnamon through their noses, coating their skin and mucous membranes in cinnamon . As cinnamon is rich in the compound cinnamaldehyde, the challenge often results in considerable irritation, discomfort, burning, or itching of the affected nasal tissue and nostrils . On YouTube, people have been seen "coughing, choking and lunging for water, usually as friends watch and laugh ." Vomiting is also known to have occurred . </P> <P> The risks can be worse, even fatal . In the first three months of 2012, American poison control centers had received over a hundred phone calls as a result of the cinnamon challenge . A high - school student in Michigan spent four days in a hospital after attempting the cinnamon challenge . Pneumonia, inflammation and scarring of the lungs, and collapsed lungs are further risks . In July 2015 a four - year - old boy died of asphyxiation after ingesting cinnamon . </P> <P> The cinnamon challenge was aired on the twelfth series of the reality television show Big Brother UK, in which show participants were to ingest ground cinnamon without the aid of water . Radio programmes have also aired segments of people performing this stunt, and others in the public limelight have been reported as airing the stunt for public display, including NBA players Nick Young and JaVale McGee . </P>

Can you die from doing the cinnamon challenge