Pros and Cons of using Benadryl for insomnia
Dear Neighbors,
I have enjoyed good results using Cannabinoids to go to sleep(the lesser problem) and to fall asleep after waking a few times at night( the bigger problem). Unfortunately, some of my blood test values are just outside the normal range. My liver enzyme is a bit high, my CBC and platelet counts are a bit low. None of my doctors are willing to say with confidence that there is a correlation between using Cannabinoids and my borderline abnormal test results. I've had disappointing results with sleep aids prescribed by Psychiatric Physician Assistants.
So I have two questions for anyone comfortable responding. 1) Will anyone with a similar history, knowledge of such matters, etc., please weigh in on this topic. 2) Are there important facts I need to weigh before experimenting with let's say 25mg of Benadryl before bedtime?
Thank you
Speedy54
Hi Lori, Thanks for your kind response. I am retired shrink. I have indeed engaged in CBT-I to help myself with my insomnia. I appreciated reading the article that reinforced what I already knew. I'm more leery about taking Benadryl after your disclosure.
Hi
. I see you are new here. Welcome to the community! I am not familiar with the health impact of cannabinoids . Hopefully, others will chime in with their experiences. But here is an article that explains the impact of cannabis on sleep: https://insomnia.sleep-disorders.net/living/will-weed-help-me-sleep. I thought you might find it interesting. Many people find Benadryl (diphenhydramine) helpful, but it can leave you groggy in the morning and there is some research that shows long-term use can increase the risk of dementia. So, it's best to talk with your doctor about the benefits versus the risks. Have you ever considered or tried cognitive behavioral therapy - insomnia (CBT-I)? That is now the frontline treatment for insomnia and it has high success rates. Here is an article about it: https://insomnia.sleep-disorders.net/cbt. I hope this helps and that you get responses from others in the community. Warm wishes. - Lori (Team Member)
