Commonly used to relieve insomnia, diphenhydramine is an antihistamine medication that is readily available over the counter. Unfortunately, some individuals who use this common drug to achieve a good night’s rest may suffer from diphenhydramine “addiction.” This article will explore five ways to avoid this dangerous condition so that you can enjoy restorative rest while protecting your health.
When taken as directed, diphenhydramine can be a helpful medication. This antihistamine, marketed under the brand name Benadryl and Zyrtec, as well as generic substitutes, treats common cold symptoms and the itching and sneezing that come with allergies and hay fever. Note: diphenhydramine does not cure these ailments; it only relieves the symptoms.
You’ll also find diphenhydramine in some sleep aids such as ZzzQuil, TylenolPM, and Unisom because the compound induces drowsiness. This is where diphenhydramine can become.
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Dangers of diphenhydramine “addiction”
The FDA warns that too many people take more than the recommended dose of this antihistamine, which often leads to diphenhydramine “addiction”. Even taking the recommended dose can lead to severe side effects:
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Drowsiness
- Heart problems
- Seizures
- Coma
Because these products are over-the-counter, many people think they’re completely safe and often become reliant on them. Doctors warn that diphenhydramine blocks acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter responsible for memory and sending messages to the rest of your body. Prolonged use and diphenhydramine addiction can lead to dementia. That’s why most allergists recommend an antihistamine without diphenhydramine to treat your hay fever without putting you to sleep.
Diphenhydramine may also react negatively with blood pressure medications, muscle relaxants, opioids, anti-depressants, and barbiturates like phenobarbital.
Avoiding diphenhydramine addiction
Diphenhydramine withdrawal can be difficult for doctors to diagnose. It often presents similarly to opioid withdrawal with profuse sweating, seizures, and hallucinations. The best way to avoid withdrawal symptoms is by avoiding too much or using diphenhydramine for too long, which is easy if you look at the alternative sleep aids available.
1. Magnesium – This mineral keeps your brain and bones healthy, regulating the neurotransmitters that tell your brain it is time to relax. Magnesium also regulates the melatonin already in your body, potentially eliminating the need for an antihistamine. Magnesium may also serve as a remedy for restless leg syndrome, a condition that keeps many people up at night.
2. Vitamin D – Vitamin D helps the body produce melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep.
This vitamin also reduces anxiety and depression. A lack of vitamin D can lead to shorter periods of sleep.
3. L-tryptophan – This essential amino acid triggers your brain to produce serotonin and melatonin and induce sleep. L-tryptophan (the same ingredient found in turkey) is also a calming ingredient often used in anti-anxiety medications. It allows the brain to relax and stay relaxed through the night.
4. Glycine – Glycine can help reduce oxidative stress. Taking this amino acid before bedtime helps you fall asleep faster and helps you reach a deep sleep stage more quickly. Glycine also lowers blood pressure and the risk of obesity when taken as a supplement.
5. Zinc – Zinc is often in multivitamins used to induce calmness. It may help you fall asleep faster and improve the quality of your sleep.
Sleep supplements help avoid diphenhydramine addiction
Most sleep supplements will include most of the above ingredients. Beware of supplements that contain melatonin. Alex Bouchon, the co-founder of DELTA BrainLuxury, points out, “Things like coffee and artificial melatonin derail the brain. To overdose such a bioactive molecule like melatonin is not what our brain has been optimized for.” As a biochemist who has worked in the pharmaceutical industry, he desired to create an all-natural sleep aid without adding preservatives, sugar, gluten, or artificial flavors.
DELTA BrainLuxury includes our top five ingredients, along with eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that helps induce sleep by assisting your brain with responding to melatonin and serotonin. Since all the ingredients are natural, diphenhydramine addiction is not a risk. The vegan ingredients in DELTA BrainLuxury work with your body to induce quality sleep without the drowsy aftereffects.
Sleep on it
Diphenhydramine and other antihistamines frequently get promoted as sleep aids. However, the Journal of American Medicine reports people often develop a tolerance to these drugs, rendering them less effective. The result? People take more, hoping to achieve that sedative effect, and respond they way they would to addictive drugs. Just because a medication is available without a prescription does not mean it is safe for prolonged use.
Listen to your body and nurture it with the natural vitamins and minerals it needs. You’ll no longer lie awake worrying about the side effects of what you are putting into your body.
Further Reading For Additional Reference:
Cleveland Clinic: Diphenhydramine Syrup or Elixir
National Library of Medicine: Long-term use of diphenhydramine
National Institutes of Health: Chronic diphenhydramine abuse and withdrawal
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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