Social media users are baffled after a new travel trend known as “rawdogging” emerged.
Also known as “barebacking,” this practice describes a grueling way to spend a flight without any form of entertainment except for basic maps or flight information.
Some participants even went more extreme and abstained from eating and drinking during the entire trip, no matter how long it lasted.
TikTok users delighted their viewers by sharing their own experiences with the trend, often recording themselves looking ahead with a blank expression on their faces.
The move has quickly sparked concern, with people baffled as to why some people spend their trip without entertainment, with one claiming it is “psychopathic” behavior.
More and more people are resorting to “rawdogging” when flying, including the British rapper ArrDee (pictured).
The trend has encouraged people around the world to spend the duration of a flight alone with their thoughts.
Brighton rapper ArrDee shared footage of himself “rawdogging” an eight-hour flight on TikTok.
In the video he explained: “Just getting through an eight-hour flight, no music, no food, just instructions.”
Elsewhere, British DJ and producer @oiwudini said he set a new personal record on a flight by “rawdogging” for seven hours, “with no headphones, no film, no water, no nothing”.
In the clip, which has been viewed over 13 million times, he concluded: “Unbelievable. The power of my mind knows no bounds.”
While this trend is appealing to some, others have expressed their concerns on X (formerly Twitter).
One claimed it was “psychopathic behavior.” They explained, “People who disobey transits of any kind are so scary.”
“Why are you on the subway without noise-cancelling headphones? On a plane where there are no shows? In a car where it’s silent? Psychopathic behavior.”
A British producer who goes by @ojuwudini on TikTok has garnered over 13 million views on his clip about “rawdogging.”
Another added: “People who do dog flying are a special breed of people. The woman next to me doesn’t use the TV. She doesn’t read. She doesn’t nap. She doesn’t look at her phone.”
“She just looks straight ahead. It’s a five-hour flight. I don’t know if I’m obsessed with her or afraid of her. Maybe both.”
“I will never fly shirtless, that’s a trend I don’t follow because… why torture yourself for nothing,” said another.
A fourth added: “Honestly it’s psychotic.” Another wrote: “This is crazy. There’s no way my ADHD would allow me to do this.”
Although it may sound like a nightmare to many, Dr Sandi Mann, a lecturer in psychology at the University of Central Lancashire and an expert in boredom, wellbeing and emotions, claims there are benefits to this trend.
In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, she said: “The new trend of ‘rawdogging’ flights may seem like a humorous and slightly bizarre trend. However, there are some real mental health benefits to be had from it.”
“Taking a break from our phones or other stimuli allows our minds to wander, and that can help spark new ideas and creativity.”
“When we have absolutely nothing to do or cannot distract ourselves, we become depressed.”
“The feeling of being understimulated, or bored as it is often called, can be uncomfortable and something we try to avoid. Therefore, when we force ourselves to sit in this state, our minds begin to look inward.”
The lecturer continued: “Our brains can provide the neural stimulation that is missing from the external environment. The activation of networks and connections, the jumping from ideas to images to thoughts, becomes less conscious. We stop controlling where our brain goes. This allows us to see things in new ways and draw on new ideas.
“I once did an experiment at the University of Central Lancashire where I took people off the street and put them in a room with no stimuli like music, phones or even anything to look at.”
“At first, participants found the experience uncomfortable and desperate to do something, but eventually they relaxed and found it calming.”
While the trend has gained momentum recently, others claim it is “wild” and “psychopathic” behavior
“When we take the time to let our minds wander, we can daydream – both processes are the catalyst for creativity.”
“During this time, we develop more creative ideas and new approaches to solving problems. It also gives us a much-needed break from everyday stress.”
Sandi explained that air travel is a good opportunity to try out low-stimulus scenarios.
She noted: “Flying provides us with the perfect opportunity to take a much-needed break from our hectic daily lives and indulge in our daydreams.”
“When we put our phones in airplane mode, we no longer have to respond to messages or notifications, so it’s a good excuse to put the screen away altogether and focus on our thoughts.”
“Although we may find it difficult at first to sit on the plane and do nothing, we will eventually begin to relax. It takes some patience, but it can be very beneficial.”
She added: “I would actually recommend that we all take some time on a regular basis to let our minds wander rather than just waiting for our next flight.”
“Slowness and calmness force us to experiment more or try new ideas that we wouldn’t normally think of, and that leads to more creativity. Hopefully this trend can inspire more of us to try it out!”
However, a team of travel experts from the website Netflights warned that this practice could also have many negative effects.
While “rawdogging” on a long-haul flight can be good for building mental strength, it is also said that relaxation and sleep help reduce jet lag.
Therefore, passengers may “feel worse” after getting off the plane if they have been sitting for hours and forcing themselves to stay awake.
They add: “Relaxing and sleeping during a flight allows your body to rest and recover, minimizing the potential effects of jet lag.”
Passengers who are “rawdogging purists” during their flight must forgo snacks and meals.
The experts say that not eating not only means you don’t get what you pay for, but it can also lead to “tiredness and extreme exhaustion.”
They recommend eating meals or at least having a snack on long-haul flights so that “passengers feel energized upon arrival at their destination.”
Passengers who choose to attend “rawdog” parties during their flight usually abstain from consuming alcohol altogether.
Travel experts warn of the disadvantages of “rawdogging” flights, including dehydration and exhaustion. Archive image used
However, travel experts warn: “Flying can cause dehydration, which can lead to headaches, dizziness and fatigue.”
They elaborated on the issue, saying: “Due to the low oxygen pressure in the aircraft and the change in humidity, more water evaporates from our skin and lungs when flying. Therefore, it is increasingly important to drink enough fluids and ensure adequate hydration when flying.”
Consumption of alcohol during the flight can also contribute to symptoms of dehydration. Experts therefore recommend opting for non-alcoholic beverages instead of alcoholic beverages during the flight.
Some “Rawdoggers” have said that doing nothing during the flight was good for them because of the “dopamine detoxification.”
However, the experts warn that this “could actually have the opposite effect and carry the risk of increasing stress.”
They explained why doing nothing can increase stress levels as follows: “Passengers who choose to stare into space on a long-haul flight may experience increased stress because, if they have nothing to do, they may start to think too much and this could spiral out of control.”
