Mouths are burning, heads are sweating, stomachs are turning- just because of a single chip. The Paqui tortilla chip brand established the popular social media challenge known as “The One Chip Challenge.” It tests individuals to consume a single, extra-spicy tortilla chip and then wait as long as they can before drinking or consuming anything else.

The scorpion pepper and the Carolina Reaper, regarded as the hottest pepper in the world, are both used to make the chip. Evidently, students have been taking on this challenge while in school, where they had to deal with the chip’s severe repercussions. The most important question is, given that the chip is so spicy, why did they choose to take part in this challenge?

While the majority came to the conclusion that they were simply testing their tolerance for spice, others participated because their friends were. “I wanted to try it because my friends were doing it, and I like a challenge,” junior Isabelle Palacios said.

Several One-Chip Challenge participants have reported having severe reactions that have left them feeling sick, having significant stomach pain, vomiting, and having trouble breathing. “At basketball practice, we were running stairs and my chest felt as if it was on fire. I had acid reflux for an hour,” junior Elijah Kori said. Serious complications such as throbbing ear canals, seizures, and sweating prolifically have been linked to many of these challenges. “My ears were pounding, my stomach felt like it was on fire, and I was sweating profusely,” junior Palacios said.

Capsaicin, a potent compound found in foods cooked with spicy pepper, is a stimulant for the body. “Before eating this chip, know what you’re getting yourself into, and  know your limits,” junior Eric Chen said.

Take precaution before attempting this trend. Dangerous challenges like this can be harmful and should never be done at school.“Do not try this at school, and do not participate in any physical activities before and after you eat the chip,” junior Kori said.

Following their participation in the “One Chip Challenge,” children have reported feeling sick or visiting the hospital in schools all around the nation. Health regulators and medical professionals have cautioned that the trend is extremely dangerous after the challenge led numerous individuals, including children, to the hospital in excruciating pain.