Raw Dogging Flights 2025: Viral TikTok Trend Health Risks & Expert Warnings

What is "Raw Dogging" Flights?

"Raw dogging" a flight means sitting through your journey with no music, films, books, sleep, snacks, drinks, or entertainment — and in its most hardcore form, no bathroom breaks. Participants stare at the seat in front, flight map, or nothing at all for the entire duration, documenting their endurance for social media clout.

The Viral Phenomenon

The trend gained massive traction in summer 2024 and continues into 2025, with Google Trends showing a clear spike in searches for "rawdogging flight" at the end of spring 2024. TikToker @oiwudini's video about rawdogging a 7-hour flight with "No headphones, no movie, no water" racked up over 14 million views, spawning countless copycat videos.

What Raw Dogging Involves

• Zero Entertainment: No phone, music, movies, books, podcasts, or games
• No Hydration: Avoiding water despite airplane cabins having 10-20% humidity (drier than Sahara Desert at 25%)
• No Food: Rejecting meals and snacks for entire flight duration
• No Sleep: Staying awake and alert (or bored) for hours
• No Movement: Sitting still, risking blood clots from immobility
• No Bathroom (extreme version): Some participants refuse bathroom breaks as ultimate "mental toughness" test
• Staring: Usually at seat in front, flight map, or ceiling — hours of sensory deprivation

The Gender Dimension

Interestingly, this trend is overwhelmingly popular among males, with participants framing it as a test of "mental toughness" and masculine endurance. Viral examples include male athletes (Erling Haaland), rappers (ArrDee), and predominantly male TikTokers seeking to prove their ability to withstand boredom and discomfort.

Viral Examples: Celebrity Raw Doggers

@oiwudini - 14 Million Views

The viral video that launched the trend: TikToker @oiwudini posted about a 7-hour flight with "No headphones, no movie, no water" and the caption "The power of my mind knows no bounds." The video accumulated over 14 million views, with endless copycat videos following.

Medical Reality: A 7-hour flight without water poses severe dehydration risk. With cabin humidity at 10-20%, the body loses moisture rapidly through breathing and skin. Symptoms within 3-4 hours: headache, dizziness, reduced cognitive function. By hour 7: potential kidney stress, increased blood viscosity (raising DVT risk).

Erling Haaland - Sports Star Endorsement

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland posted that he endured a seven-hour flight with "no phone, no sleep, no water, no food" — and found it "easy". His massive social media following amplified the trend's reach.

Medical Reality: Professional athletes have higher baseline fitness, but this doesn't eliminate DVT risk. In fact, dehydration combined with immobility is dangerous regardless of fitness level. Athletes are not immune to blood clots — several have suffered DVTs from long flights.

ArrDee & Other Influencers

British rapper ArrDee and hundreds of other influencers have posted videos of themselves staring intensely sans distractions on recent long-haul flights, collectively generating millions of views and normalizing this dangerous behavior.

The Critical Health Risks

Medical experts are sounding alarms. Here are the five major health dangers of raw dogging flights, ranked by severity:

1. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) — CRITICAL RISK ⚠️

This is the most dangerous aspect of raw dogging. A GP who works as a medical escort warned: "If you're not moving you're at risk of deep vein thrombosis, which is compounded by dehydration."

What is DVT? Blood clots that form in deep leg veins due to prolonged immobility. Sitting in one place for 6+ hours can constrict blood flow in the lower body, significantly increasing clot risk.

Why It's Fatal: Blood clots can break free and travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism), blocking blood flow and causing sudden death. This is why doctors NEVER recommend sitting still for the entirety of a long-haul flight.

DVT Risk Factors (All Made Worse by Raw Dogging)

• Immobility: Sitting still for 4+ hours
• Dehydration: Thickens blood, making clots more likely
• Cabin Pressure: Reduced oxygen at altitude affects circulation
• Cramped Seating: Economy class restricts leg movement

Prevention: Move legs every 30-60 minutes (ankle circles, calf raises), walk aisle every 1-2 hours, drink 8oz water per hour, wear compression socks, avoid crossing legs.

2. Severe Dehydration — HIGH RISK

Airplane cabins have 10-20% humidity — lower than the Sahara Desert (25%). Your body loses moisture rapidly through breathing, skin evaporation, and reduced sensation of thirst at altitude.

Timeline of Dehydration During Raw Dogging:

• Hour 1-2: Mild dehydration begins. Dry mouth, reduced urination.
• Hour 3-4: Moderate dehydration. Headache, dizziness, fatigue, irritability.
• Hour 5-6: Severe dehydration possible. Confusion, rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes, reduced skin elasticity.
• Hour 7+: Critical dehydration risk. Kidney stress, increased blood viscosity (raises DVT risk), potential organ damage.

Compounding Effect: Dehydration thickens blood, making DVT more likely. It also impairs cognitive function, worsens jet lag, and triggers anxiety.

3. Mental Fatigue & Anxiety — MEDIUM-HIGH RISK

Psychologists warn that raw dogging is particularly dangerous for those with mental health difficulties. Prolonged boredom and sensory deprivation increase cortisol (stress hormone) and trigger negative thought patterns.

Mental Health Impact:

• Heightened Anxiety: Lack of distraction allows anxious thoughts to spiral
• Irritability: Brain needs stimulation; deprivation causes mood swings
• Mental Drain: Extreme boredom is cognitively taxing, leaving you exhausted
• Negative Rumination: Hours of unstimulated thought can trigger depression or anxiety loops
• Post-Flight Impact: Mental fatigue affects entire trip, making you prone to worse jet lag

A psychologist stated: "Raw-dogging is not something I advocate, especially not for those struggling with negative thoughts or mental health difficulties."

4. Circadian Rhythm Disruption — MEDIUM RISK

The stress of raw dogging compounds jet lag. Sleep science shows that mental stress and dehydration worsen circadian disruption, making it harder to adjust to new time zones.

How Raw Dogging Worsens Jet Lag:

• No Strategic Sleep: Refusing sleep on overnight flights prevents time zone adjustment
• Dehydration: Worsens jet lag symptoms (fatigue, insomnia, brain fog)
• Stress: Elevated cortisol from mental strain disrupts circadian clock
• No Light Exposure Control: Not using screens means missing opportunities to time light exposure for circadian adjustment

Result: 1-3 days of severe jet lag post-flight vs normal adjustment in 12-24 hours.

5. Cognitive Decline — LOW-MEDIUM RISK

Brains need glucose and hydration to function optimally. A 6+ hour flight with no food or water causes measurable cognitive decline.

Symptoms:

• Brain fog and reduced focus
• Memory issues (difficulty recalling information)
• Slowed reaction time
• Poor decision-making (dangerous if driving rental car post-flight)
• Reduced problem-solving ability

Impact: Arriving at destination mentally impaired affects work performance, vacation enjoyment, and safety (if driving or making important decisions).

Raw Dogging vs Mindful Flying vs Traditional Flying

Why Are People Doing This?

Experts note that raw dogging is done for a badge of honor online, instead of to actually switch off. Key motivations:

• Social Media Clout: Millions of views for extreme endurance content
• Masculine Performance: Proving "mental toughness" to peers
• Challenge Culture: Gen Z loves viral challenges, even dangerous ones
• Misunderstood Mindfulness: Confusing sensory deprivation with meditation
• FOMO: Joining trend to feel part of community

The Irony: True mindfulness involves awareness and self-care — not self-harm. Depriving your body of water and movement isn't meditation, it's medical negligence.

Expert Warnings: Why Doctors Say This Could Kill You

Nutritionist Toby King

"This is one of the most dangerous trends I have seen on social media in a while. This could have deadly consequences."

King emphasizes that dehydration and immobility on flights are well-documented risk factors for serious medical emergencies. The combination is particularly dangerous.

Medical Escort GP

"On long-haul flights you're at risk of dehydration. If you're not moving you're at risk of deep vein thrombosis, which is compounded by dehydration."

This GP, who flies with patients requiring medical supervision, notes that even healthy people need to hydrate and move regularly on flights over 4 hours.

Psychologist Warning

"Raw-dogging is not something I advocate, especially not for those struggling with negative thoughts or mental health difficulties."

Mental health professionals worry about the psychological toll of prolonged sensory deprivation, particularly for vulnerable individuals.

Aviation Medicine Consensus

Every major aviation health authority recommends the opposite of raw dogging:

• WHO: Drink water regularly, avoid alcohol/caffeine, move every 2-3 hours
• CDC: Hydrate, wear compression stockings on flights 4+ hours, walk aisles
• Mayo Clinic: Never sit still for entire flight over 4 hours due to DVT risk
• British Heart Foundation: Move legs every 30 minutes, drink water, avoid crossing legs

Safe Alternatives: How to Fly Mindfully Without Dying

If you want to disconnect or practice mindfulness on a flight, here are safe alternatives that won't risk your health:

1. Digital Detox (Safe Version)

• Limit Screens: Avoid movies/games, but allow reading (books, magazines) or journaling
• Meditation Apps: Use guided meditation (Headspace, Calm) with eyes closed — mentally engaging but screen-free
• Analog Entertainment: Crossword puzzles, sketching, writing by hand
• HYDRATE: Drink 8oz water per hour — this is non-negotiable
• Move: Walk aisle every 1-2 hours, do seated leg exercises

2. Mindful Flying Practice

• Breathing Exercises: Box breathing (4-4-4-4 pattern) for calm
• Body Scan Meditation: Progressive relaxation while staying hydrated
• Gratitude Journaling: Reflect on trip with pen and paper
• Window Gazing: Observe clouds and landscapes — natural meditation
• Light Snacking: Keep blood sugar stable for cognitive function

3. Productive Disconnection

• Read Physical Books: Engaging without screens
• Plan Itinerary: Use flight time to map out trip with guidebook
• Learn Language: Flashcards or phrasebook for destination
• Creative Work: Sketch, write, brainstorm ideas
• Strategic Sleep: Sleep on appropriate flights to combat jet lag

Flight Duration & Risk Levels

Health risk scales with flight duration. Here's the breakdown:

Under 3 Hours (Low Risk)

• Raw Dogging Risk: Low. Dehydration and DVT unlikely in short duration.
• Recommendation: Still drink water, but moderate raw dogging relatively harmless.
• Mental Impact: Boredom manageable for most people.

3-6 Hours (Medium-High Risk)

• Raw Dogging Risk: Medium-High. Dehydration symptoms begin hour 3-4, DVT risk increases hour 4+.
• Recommendation: Do NOT raw dog. Drink minimum 24-48oz water, walk aisle once.
• Mental Impact: Significant mental fatigue, increased anxiety.

6-10 Hours (High Risk)

• Raw Dogging Risk: High. Severe dehydration likely, DVT risk substantial, mental health impact significant.
• Recommendation: NEVER raw dog. Drink 48-80oz water, walk every 1-2 hours, compression socks recommended.
• Mental Impact: Extreme mental drain, potential anxiety/depression triggers.

10+ Hours (Critical Risk)

• Raw Dogging Risk: Critical/Life-threatening. Dehydration can cause organ stress, DVT risk very high, psychological harm likely.
• Recommendation: ABSOLUTELY DO NOT raw dog. This is medically reckless. Hydrate extensively, move frequently, sleep strategically.
• Mental Impact: Severe psychological distress, lasting mental health effects possible.

What to Do If Someone is Raw Dogging Dangerously

If you see a fellow passenger raw dogging a long-haul flight (especially if they look unwell):

1. Check for symptoms: If they appear dizzy, confused, or in distress, alert flight attendant immediately
2. Offer water: Politely suggest they hydrate — they may be too impaired to recognize dehydration
3. Encourage movement: If on 4+ hour flight, suggest aisle walk for "stretching"
4. Alert crew if critical: Signs of DVT (leg swelling, pain) or severe dehydration (confusion, rapid pulse) require medical intervention

The Psychology: Why Extreme Challenges Go Viral

Raw dogging fits a pattern of dangerous viral challenges that prioritize social media engagement over safety:

• Tide Pod Challenge (2018): Eating laundry detergent
• Fire Challenge (2014): Setting yourself on fire
• Raw Dogging Flights (2024-2025): Enduring dehydration and immobility

Why They Spread:

• Shock Value: Extreme behavior gets views
• Social Proof: "If celebrities do it, it must be okay"
• Peer Pressure: Friends tag you, expecting participation
• Masculinity Performance: Particularly for male-dominated trends like raw dogging
• Underestimated Risk: Young people often feel invincible

The Responsibility: Social media platforms should flag health-risk content. TikTok has policies against dangerous challenges, but raw dogging videos continue to proliferate.

Airlines & Airport Response

Some airlines are beginning to address the trend:

• Safety Announcements: A few airlines now specifically mention avoiding dehydration and immobility in pre-flight safety videos
• Flight Attendant Training: Crew instructed to monitor passengers who refuse all service on long-haul flights
• In-Flight Reminders: Periodic announcements encouraging movement and hydration, especially on ultra-long-haul routes (12+ hours)
• No Official Ban: Airlines can't force passengers to drink or move, but can refuse travel if passenger appears medically unfit

Airport Medical Services: Paramedics report treating post-flight cases of severe dehydration and suspected DVT, some requiring hospitalization. While not all are confirmed raw doggers, the timing coincides with trend's rise.

The Verdict: Is Raw Dogging Ever Okay?

Short answer: No, not on flights over 3 hours.

When It's Relatively Harmless

• Under 2 hours: Brief domestic flights. Still drink water, but no major risk.
• Modified version: Flight map only, but with regular hydration and bathroom breaks.
• Mindful alternative: Meditation/journaling with proper self-care (hydration, movement).

When It's Dangerous

• 3+ hours: Dehydration risk begins
• 4+ hours: DVT risk substantial
• 6+ hours: Multiple health risks converge — medically reckless
• 10+ hours: Life-threatening. Do not attempt.

Frequently Asked Questions