# Diphenhydramine and sleep **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 23, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diphenhydramine-and-sleep/807301 "2018-01-23T15:53:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diphenhydramine-and-sleep/807301/21 "2018-01-23T23:41:47Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > There are definitely folks for whom it even has a paradoxical effect. My 3-year-old daughter is one of them, or at least seemed to be one of them the last time she had Benadryl at the doctor’s recommendation for runny nose. Had her bouncing off the walls. I wonder if that’s a common reaction in young kids. It used to effect my daughter the same way when she was younger. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diphenhydramine-and-sleep/807301/22 "2018-01-24T00:37:59Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > This has been my experience as well. If I use it only 1-2 times per week or less, it works pretty well. I wake up and feel well rested. But if I take it a lot in a row, it doesn’t seem to work as well and I don’t feel as good after waking up. I also only take 1 pill rather than 2 to minimze the “hangover” the next day. > > There is an herbal remedy which works pretty for giving me restful sleep, but it’s only available in a few states at this time. Glad you mentioned this. I thought I was makin’ shit up. First Benadryl I take and I am OUT. If I take any more for the next couple of days … nada. Also that herbal remedy is plentifully available across all 50 states. Not legally available, mind you, but certainly one can procure the needful. > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Hmmm. Getting an idea for a specialized craft beer… If you ever make it let us know if it works, and how it tastes! > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Benadryl never makes me sleepy. I toad you I was 'pecial. > > Going to bed with foam rubber earplugs and an eye mask DEFINITELY helps me fall asleep and stay asleep. Our bedrooms-- hell, our world–is not dark enough or quiet enough to permit sleep. There’s so much ambient light and noise around–and it can ping you just when you’re about to doze off. > > Recently I bought one of these [sleeping caps](https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N97BU3V/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), and the effect on my sleep has been better than any drug. I got it to keep from waking up with bed hair (hair sticking up in EVERY possible direction), but the additional feature is that you pull it down over your eyes to make an eye shade. There’s something sooooo comforting about having this soft cap on one’s head. Maybe that feeling is why one of my cats likes to burrow under the covers. However, unlike her, I need air (I believe she is an anaerobic species of feline). As with all the other answers, YMMV. You bought the last hat? Unavailable now. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diphenhydramine-and-sleep/807301/23 "2018-01-24T01:14:35Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > … > Also that herbal remedy is plentifully available across all 50 states. Not legally available, mind you, but certainly one can procure the needful.If you ever make it let us know if it works, and how it tastes!You bought the last hat? Unavailable now. Try [this](https://smile.amazon.com/Ababalaya-Cotton-Nightcap-Shading-Sleeping/dp/B01M3V2D6B/ref=pd_sbs_193_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01M3V2D6B&pd_rd_r=XJR5YKE54K3TTP27YGA6&pd_rd_w=ga6e2&pd_rd_wg=XbG3v&refRID=XJR5YKE54K3TTP27YGA6). You’ve got to poke around amazon–just like in a regular store. Beware–a customer wrote: “I bought it for my granddaughter but she doesn’t wear bc it slides around while she sleeps. She got scared bc she couldn’t find her way out.” Help! I fell into my hat and couldn’t get out. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diphenhydramine-and-sleep/807301/24 "2018-01-24T01:54:40Z")
We had [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=828645&highlight=Melatonin) last summer about sleep aids. Which came out of [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=828110&highlight=Melatonin). ---
**Author:** ![sweepkick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@sweepkick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweepkick)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diphenhydramine-and-sleep/807301/25 "2018-01-24T06:21:43Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > You bought the last hat? Unavailable now. 😃 Here ya go: > **[Amazon.com: Ababalaya Soft Warm Cotton Nightcap Shading Cap Knit Sleeping Hat :...](https://www.amazon.com/Ababalaya-Cotton-Nightcap-Shading-Sleeping/dp/B01E5K1THS)** > > Buy Ababalaya Soft Warm Cotton Nightcap Shading Cap Knit Sleeping Hat: Shop top fashion brands Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry at Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY and Returns possible on eligible purchases [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diphenhydramine-and-sleep/807301.md?page=1)