Danger in a Honey Packet: Why College Students Need to Rethink the ‘Honey Trend’
A dangerous new sex honey packet trend is buzzing through college campuses, and it’s not as sweet as it sounds. Dubbed the “honey packet trend,” this supplement, marketed as a sexual enhancer, has gone viral on TikTok and grabbed the attention of Arizona State University students — as well as doctors who are sounding the alarm.
In a TikTok video with over 400,000 views, students giggle about the honey packet trend, with one coyly dodging a question about his use: “Hey, a man never reveals his secrets,” he says, walking off camera. But the laughter fades when you hear what’s really inside these packets.
ICYMI: New Birth Control For Men
The FDA has flagged multiple honey packet brands for containing hidden drug ingredients. While some boast harmless natural additives like maca or ginseng (with little to no real effect), others include tadalafil — the same pharmaceutical ingredient found in Cialis, a potent erectile dysfunction drug.
And here’s the kicker: Tadalafil, when misused or mixed with alcohol or certain medications, can cause severe side effects, including dangerously low blood pressure, dizziness, and even death.
The TikTok Videos Trending for “Honey Packets”
The Real Risk in the Honey Packets
Doctors aren’t mincing words. “It’s crazy,” says Dr. Jesse Mills, director of the Men’s Clinic at UCLA. “You can go to any liquor store or truck stop and buy a honey packet, and you have no idea what’s in there.”
Dr. Peter Leone, a professor at UNC, emphasizes that these packets aren’t just unnecessary—they’re potentially lethal. “I’m all about people having good sex and sexual pleasure, but I prefer safer ways of doing it,” he says.
Shockingly, college-aged men—who typically don’t face erectile dysfunction—are using these supplements, possibly overdosing in a bid to “perform” better. Leone warns that mixing tadalafil with alcohol could lead to fainting, serious falls, or worse.
The Insecurity Behind the Honey Packet Trend
So why are young men reaching for honey packets? It boils down to insecurity and the pressures of hookup culture. With social media amplifying comparison, some young men feel a need to “outperform” their peers or their partner’s previous lovers.
“They’re not thinking about dysfunction; they’re thinking about competition,” Mills says. And for some, it’s a competition that’s costing them their health.
TikTok commenters have been quick to call out the absurdity of the trend. “A college kid taking a honey packet is not a flex,” one wrote. Others questioned why young men, often at the peak of their health, would turn to such measures.
The Real Fix: Communication, Not Chemicals
For young men struggling with performance anxiety or insecurities, doctors urge them to skip the honey packets and seek professional help. “If a college student is having difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, that’s a serious health issue,” Mills says. “And if it’s just about partying harder? That’s not the solution.”
The bottom line: Sexual health isn’t a race or competition. No honey packet can fix the insecurities that drive this dangerous trend — but honest conversations and professional advice just might.
