There’s a new social media trend, “rawdogging,” popular on TikTok, Instagram, X, and elsewhere, in which travelers—usually young men—complete long flights while staring at nothing, or a video map, for the entire flight. Some accentuate their manliness declining food, beverages, and even going to the bathroom. The longer the flight, the more accrued machismo.

The original meaning of rawdogging was sex without a condom. The term has been linguistically expanded of late to include any activity without a buffer or aid. For example, one can rawdog influenza by refusing medication.

Speaking as a physician: the digital detox portion of rawdogging is A-OK. Declining entertainment and/or distractions for hours could be your form of meditation, and there are benefits to meditation.

Other aspects of rawdogging could be dangerous. Both not drinking liquids during a long flight, and not moving, could increase the risk of deep venous thromboses—blood clots that form, usually in the legs. These clots can then travel to the lungs, forming a pulmonary embolus, which can be life-threatening. The longer the flight, the higher the risk.

And not going to the bathroom for a prolonged duration? What possible benefit could there be in that? When nature calls, you should answer. Just because something is uncomfortable doesn’t mean it’s good for you.

In summary: foregoing books, videos, music—sure, your call.

Foregoing beverages: no. Could be dangerous.

Foregoing moving/walking: no. Could be dangerous.

Foregoing going to the bathroom. That’s just dumb.

References

Lucy Hooker, No films, no music, no sleep: Is ‘raw-dogging’ long flights heroic or foolish?

BBC, 10 August 2024.

Jessica Roy, A Wildly Obscene Term’s Path to Mainstream Usage, New York Times,

17 July 2024.