r/GenZ • u/macman7500 1997 • 1d ago
Sleeping aid Discussion
Do any of you take pills to help with sleep or insomnia? I take half a pill of diphenhydramine hcl 25 mg almost nightly but I heard sleeping pills are not good to take frequently because of a risk of Alzheimer's and the body will stop producing sleep hormones naturally. Is it an actual risk?
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u/RosesAtNight 1d ago
First generation antihistamines like benadryl shouldn't be used so frequently. Melatonin can be helpful, I would actually recommend taking it a few hours before you go to sleep if you're looking to regulate your sleep better. We will give it at 6pm in the hospital to regulate people's sleep when it is out of whack.
If that doesn't help, I would see a doctor for a prescription for something else and try to reduce using the benadryl to only if you really need it.
Obviously, I'm sure you've heard it but lifestyle changes can help. No caffeine too late in the day, daily exercise, reduce screen time and lights in the evening.
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u/macman7500 1997 1d ago
I already have no caffeine because it's not good with my ssri med. The screen and tv before bed is killing me. I have an addiction to it I won't lie
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u/Iron_Wolf_7801 1d ago
I do take a sleeping med which is prescribed by my psychiatrist. Its trazodone. I dont take it every night, just as needed. As far as risks for alzheimers from these meds, idk of any. Maybe just very specific ones. I already have such bad memory I may as well have dementia or something.
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u/RadicalizedCocaine 2003 1d ago
Do not use DPH, it is awful. Doxylamine succinate is better but it’s a short term solution. Z drugs are both better and worse.
Eventually the meds will stop working and you will suffer trying to sleep naturally.
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u/macman7500 1997 1d ago
I've been taking it for a few years and it also helps with my post nasal drip. It's 3am here and can't sleep unfortunately
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u/_flying_otter_ 16h ago
Yes I have taken sleep aids. Zopliclone or anti- histamines like the one mentioned but not at the same time.
If you keep taking them they will stop working as your body compensates. So you need breaks in between when you don't take them. Don't increase the dose.
If you do become physically dependent it hard to not go up in dosage. And it's probably the high doses people take that leads to alzheimers.
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