What is Rawdogging airplane trend? All we know about the bizzare travel trend 

The latest 'Rawdogging' trend has taken the internet by storm, with everyone —from celebrities to youngsters — giving it a try. The trend challenges all conventional notions of in-flight entertainment by urging passengers onboard to forego all forms of entertainment, including snacks, movies, music, and even conversations with the crew, requiring them to sit idle, in complete stillness for hours.

In some cases, people take it to extremes and avoid even going to the washroom or drinking water.

As it goes with countless viral trends, TikTok users have been posting their own takes on the 'Rawdogging' trend. Many have shared that the challenge has reintroduced mindfulness to them, helping them eliminate distractions. According to Crystal Riley, founder of Wellness & Co., the experience can be positive for some, as avoiding all sources of in-flight entertainment allows travelers to be more present in the moment and aware of their surroundings, as reported by People:

“It can allow you to deepen your practice, by tuning into your breath, the sounds of the plane, or just your own heartbeat,” Riley tells People. “It’s an opportunity to observe your inner landscape without judgment, which can lead to a deeper sense of calm and clarity.”

According to an article by BBC News, Damion Bailey posted on Instagram that he achieved his personal best while rawdogging during a 13-hour-long flight from Shanghai to Dallas without any sort of in-flight entertainment. The 34-year-old user mentioned that the challenge was quite a tough one. On the other hand, for some people, the experience was quite anxiety-ridden.

Australian music producer Torrent Foot also joined the trend on TikTok insisting that it was quite hard to stay awake:

“Just raw-dogged it, 15 hour flight to Melbourne. "No music, no movies, just flight map."

Over the past year, an increasing number of internet users have started trying out this trend. While the term might have carnal origins, many see it as an opportunity for building resilience.

Medical experts have raised concerns about the potential negative effects of following this trend. Angela Williams, LCSW, a psychotherapist and mindset coach, told BBC News that those who take on this challenge may experience frustration and mental fog. She explained further that long flights without any sleep or entertainment may result in higher levels of irritability.

“During REM sleep, your brain conducts a reset as it integrates your emotional experiences from the day,” Williams explains. “Sleep helps regulate your nervous system, consolidates memories, and balances neurotransmitters responsible for optimizing your overall brain function.”

The internet remains divided over the viral challenge. While some embrace it as a test of mindfulness, some netizens criticize it as "self-induced torture," questioning why anyone would willingly make their journey so monotonous.

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Seinfield actor feels resposible for starting the trend

Seinfield actor Patrick Warburton recently posted a reel on Instagram stating how he had been feeling responsible for starting this viral trend. The actor, who had played the character of David Puddy in the popular series, shared a screenshot of a Buzzfeed article in the reel, wherein it reported this trend while referring to the first episode of Season 9 of the American sitcom.

In the episode, Elaine and Puddy were on their way somewhere on a flight. Elaine became irate, and Puddy decided to stare straight ahead of himself for the rest of the flight instead of reading a book or engaging in any other in-flight activity.

Warburton states in the reel,

"My concern is that somebody's gonna get hurt and if you go into this thing blindly... You know what I'm saying?"

The actor raised concerns regarding the negative effects of the trend on the people who are trying it. It is reportedly advised to read a book or listen to music while flying on a plane.