A lot of people all around the globe experience sleeping issues at night. If you are one of them, you may have been searching for a solution to help you fall asleep easier.
There are lots of sleeping pills to choose from, but a lot of these have side effects that it’s important to be aware of.
You’ll learn about two common sleeping aid options in this article: Benadryl and melatonin.
We’ll compare each of these solutions so you can see which one would be the best choice for your circumstances.
Before we get into the article, remember that you should always notify your doctor before taking any sleeping aid medications.
Lifestyle changes, like getting enough physical activity and improving sleep hygiene can have significant results, so do look into these before you try sleeping aids.
Benadryl Vs Melatonin
A lot of people use melatonin or Benadryl to help them fall asleep.
This may be for several reasons, some may struggle to fall asleep without help, while some may need the chemicals to remain asleep.
Both of these substances work, so the one you choose will depend on your personal preferences.
Chemistry And Makeup
Melatonin is a hormone that the body produces naturally. Benadryl, known as diphenhydramine, is an antihistamine, a chemical that is foreign to the body.
In terms of the risks involved with these substances, there are limited risks associated with melatonin.
There are practically no side effects from taking melatonin regularly for a shorter period, from three to twelve months.
However, if you continue to take melatonin long-term, your body may start to produce less of the hormone overall.
Conversely, Benadryl is used to treat several conditions, like anxiety, nausea, allergies, and insomnia. This drug can lead to unwanted side effects and reactions.
You can also overdose on Benadryl, which isn’t as likely to occur with melatonin.
Which Is Better For Sleep, Benadryl Or Melatonin?
Both Benadryl and melatonin can help you sleep better.
Both of these work slightly differently, as melatonin gently helps you feel sleepy, but Benadryl is more effective at encouraging sleep.
Melatonin slowly pushes the brain and body into naturally falling asleep, but Benadryl switches off the brain and sedates you to bring on sleep.
In other terms, you are guaranteed to feel sleepy on Benadryl, as the medication does the job for you.
Melatonin, on the other hand, will make you feel more relaxed, increasing the likelihood of you falling asleep and getting proper rest.
Despite this, if you are using stimulants, like blue light, TV screens, or caffeine, you may still struggle with sleep. Bear in mind that this conduct is best avoided.
People that are battling insomnia should avoid poor sleep hygiene practices, like playing video games or watching TV shows right before bed.
What Option Is Best Long Term?
Insomnia sufferers are likely to be using sleeping aids regularly to help them fall asleep, so it’s a good idea to look into the long-term effects of both options.
As melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body, it’s considered safer to consume it for longer periods compared to Benadryl.
However, you should note that melatonin’s effects aren’t as strong, so people with bad insomnia may find that Benadryl works better.
Remember that there’s more risk of dependency behaviors when taking Benadryl compared to melatonin.
If you know that you are vulnerable to addictive patterns, it’s a better idea to stick to melatonin instead.
If you haven’t tried either option before, it’s best to try melatonin before Benadryl, as it is the more natural substance.
If you see no difference after a while, try Benadryl next and see if it helps.
Potential Side Effects Of Benadryl
While you can take melatonin for a while without many serious side effects, the same cannot be said for Benadryl.
Here are some examples of potential side effects of Benadryl:
Drowsiness
Serious dizziness
Throat and mouth dryness
Seizures
Hallucinations
Vomiting
Abdominal pains
Disorientation
Coma
Motor disturbances
Delirium
Death
These are just some of the possible side effects associated with Benadryl.
Always see a doctor before trying it, and always read the instructions on the packet carefully beforehand.
Legality Of Benadryl
You can purchase Benadryl as an over-the-counter drug, so it is legal to carry in the U.S.
However, do be wary if you are flying, as it is banned in Zambia, and limited in other countries, like Japan, where the limit is 10mg capsules.
How To Decide Between Benadryl And Melatonin?
If you are still unsure about what sleeping aid to try, here are two questions to consider. The answers to them will help you figure out what solution to go for.
What Are Your Sleeping Difficulties?
You need to think about what your specific sleeping difficulties are. Melatonin and Benadryl both work differently, so each of these is best for different kinds of sleep issues.
If you often feel stress at night that makes it hard for you to fall asleep, Benadryl may be the best choice, as it has a stronger impact.
If you have light difficulty falling asleep at night and need a little help, go for melatonin.
If you have insomnia and can’t fall asleep even after implementing good sleep hygiene practices, Benadryl would be the better choice.
What Is Your Risk Tolerance?
You should also think about your medical risk tolerance before choosing between Benadryl and melatonin.
Benadryl has stronger effects on the body, but melatonin is already naturally present in it.
If you are wary about side effects or aren’t sure about what option to go for, stay on the safe side with melatonin. This will help prevent additional stress on the body.
Remember that you can still get poor sleep when on Benadryl, as it makes the user pass out instead of encouraging proper sleep.
Can You Take Benadryl And Melatonin At The Same Time?
A popular question is if it’s safe to take Benadryl and melatonin simultaneously, including if the effects are better than just taking one of these aids.
It is never advised to take both Benadryl and melatonin. This is because both substances work differently. Benadryl alters your sleep cycle, but melatonin restores it naturally.
A different reason why you shouldn’t combine these two drugs is that as they both make the user feel sleepy, the effects can be too strong.
You’ll likely feel a hangover-like sensation, in which you remain sleepy and dazed when you wake up.
Taking both Benadryl and melatonin may make you feel more sleepy, but they won’t have a positive effect on your sleep quality.
The Bottom Line
To sum up, Benadryl and melatonin both work to improve sleep. Melatonin is the more natural choice, while Benadryl is the more potent, chemical option.
The choice will depend on your preferences. If you’d rather go for a natural solution that has less risk involved with it, melatonin is your best bet.
If your insomnia symptoms are severe and you need a stronger solution, you may be better off with Benadryl.
While sleeping aids can help, it’s best to look at your sleeping issues and use natural solutions, like lifestyle changes before opting for medication.
Do your research into good sleep hygiene and avoid stimulants, like caffeine, blue light, and TV shows before bed.
If these don’t make a difference, talk to your doctor about trying sleeping aids.
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