Heroic or just stupid?

Last week, Damion Bailey posted on Instagram that he had just achieved his “personal best” – a 13.5-hour flight between Shanghai and Dallas without any in-flight entertainment, movies, books or music.

“To be honest, it’s pretty tough,” the 34-year-old from Miami, Florida, told BBC News. But he keeps going.

Mr Bailey is part of a new travel trend called “raw-dogging,” in which passengers spend many hours in the air simply staring straight ahead.

The longer you do it, the harder you seem to prove yourself.

“Just did it, 15-hour flight to Melbourne,” Australian music producer Torren Foot boasts on TikTok, blinking furiously as if he needs to stay awake.

“No music, no movies, just airfare.”

Some also avoid eating and drinking. Some say they don’t get up at all, even to go to the bathroom. But health experts warn that more extreme versions of this trend can pose serious risks.

Manchester City footballer Erling Haaland also recently joined the trend, posting that he had survived a seven-hour flight “with no phone, no sleep, no water, no food” and found it “easy.”

People on social media questioned whether he really followed his own rules (a common question when others post similar things), with some wondering if he was a robot.

And some simply asked “why?”

The number of posts on the topic of “raw dogging” has steadily increased over the last year.

More and more young men – and they are usually athletic-looking young men – are posting videos of themselves on board, staring at the boarding pass or safety card and swearing that they are using the “power of the mind” to get through.

The term “raw dogging” may have carnal origins, but it is increasingly used to describe anything done without protection or support.

For these men, the appeal seems to lie in the opportunity to demonstrate their resilience and self-control.

Some medical experts warn of the significant health risks associated with long flights without food, water and exercise.

“They’re idiots,” says Dr. Gill Jenkins, a general practitioner who also works as an air ambulance medical attendant. “A digital detox might do you good, but anything else goes against medical advice,” she says.

“The risk with long-haul flights is that there is a risk of dehydration.

“If you don’t move, you’re at risk of deep vein thrombosis, which is made worse by dehydration. Not going to the bathroom is a bit stupid. If you need to go to the bathroom, you need to go to the bathroom.”

But as for the overall trend, business psychologist Danielle Haig says she can understand why people in our increasingly fast-paced, technology-driven world like to spend time in quiet reflection and let their minds wander.

“It offers the opportunity to mentally recharge your batteries and gain new perspectives,” she says.

She believes the trend “signals a collective desire for balance as people seek to reclaim their mental space and build a deeper connection with their inner self.”

And she believes that raw dogging offers young men in particular the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to deal stoically with loneliness and discomfort.

Mr Bailey says he enjoys the “challenge”.

“The first time I did it was out of necessity on a shorter flight,” he says.

“I had forgotten my headphones and there was nothing on the entertainment program that I wanted to see.”

But he kept going. “I like the challenge, of course. I fly so often. Why shouldn’t I challenge myself?”

Being bored for a few hours is actually quite good for us, argues Sandi Mann, scientist and author of The Science of Boredom. “It can really improve our relaxation and creativity.”

People need to find ways to wean themselves off the constant “high” that modern technology gives them, she says.

“We need to reduce our need for novelty and stimulation and the dopamine rush and just take the time to breathe and stare at the clouds – literally when we’re on the plane,” she says.

However, she admits that all current recommendations emphasise the importance of mobility, especially on longer flights, and point out that going without food and water poses additional health risks.

“I think people need to understand that this is not ideal for a seven-hour flight,” says Ms. Mann. “You have to find the right balance.”

It’s clearly not for everyone.

“Sounds like self-inflicted torture with no incentive whatsoever,” says one social media user. “Give me my airplane WiFi, my sleep mask, and let’s pack some snacks.”

Others doubt whether everyone who posts here about their 10-hour flights has really adhered to the self-imposed rules.

And some who have tried raw dogging themselves were not impressed.

“Big mistake,” says a TikTok user named Brenda. “I’m pretty sure the only thing lost was my mental health.”

“Remember: I won’t do that again. Definitely an overrated experience. Not at all as enlightening as people think.”