What Is A Benadryl High
A Benadryl trip can mimic the high feeling caused by some recreational drugs due to feelings of extreme drowsiness. Large doses of Benadryl can also cause confusion and memory loss and lead to a Benadryl overdose. As with some opioids, frequent users can even;develop a dependence;on the drug. Ingesting alcohol or taking other drugs along with diphenhydramine can intensify the experience of being high, but its extremely dangerous.
Can Benadryl Be Crushed
Benadryl tablets can be crushed. If you have trouble swallowing whole tablets, Benadryl liquid solution and chewable tablets are available.
Benadryl is an antihistamine. If you have allergies or have a cold, your body releases a chemical messenger called histamine. This messenger causes symptoms such as inflammation, edema , itchiness, and runny nose.
Benadryl blocks some of the effects of histamine and decreases some of the symptoms caused by it.
What Is Benadryl Good For
As an anti-allergy medication, its great if you have seasonal allergies and need some relief.
Many people find that it works better for them than some of the non-drowsy varieties of allergy medication, and so will put up with feeling sleepy for a while to combat distracting allergy symptoms.
The same mechanism that allows Benadryl to be effective for allergy symptoms also makes it good for treating some symptoms of the common cold.
Rashes, itching, watery eyes, cough, runny nose, sneezing, etc. are all treatable with low doses of Benadryl. The low dose is also good for some slight off-label uses as well.
For instance, Benadryl is good for preventing nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness. You can also use small amounts of Benadryl to help you relax or to fall asleep.
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Diphenhydramine And The Brain
Diphenhydramine is an H1 receptor antagonist, which means that when it is consumed, it blocks these receptors in the brain, stopping the effects of histamine in the body. Histamine is a chemical in the body that works to help protect the immune system from allergens. In many instances, the release of histamine when an allergen enters into the body is effective in attacking the allergen so it does not impact ones physical health. However, when people are very allergic to something like peanut butter or pollen, the body releases an excessive amount of histamine, which can lead to contraction of muscle tissues in the lungs, dilation of blood vessels, speeding of ones heart rate, and secretion of gastric acid into the stomach. When this type of reaction is occurring, consuming diphenhydramine products like Benadryl can stop these effects, as it is an anti-histamine medication. As a result, those who take it for its intended purposes can prevent everything from mildly intrusive allergic symptoms to death caused by anaphylactic shock.
When diphenhydramine is abused, however, it produces relaxation, a sense of mild euphoria, and hallucinations all effects that those who abuse this medication are looking to obtain.
What Is Dicyclomine Good For
The primary use for Dicyclomine is to reduce symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. For those who are unaware, irritable bowel syndrome is a group of several conditions that affect the gastrointestinal system.
It can cause diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain , but can also result in anxiety, depression, fatigue, and a host of other symptoms.
There are multiple medications that treat the various symptoms, and Dicyclomine seems to be reasonably effective at addressing the pain and muscle issues that sufferers of IBS experience, though, with some side effects. While these side effects are rarely severe, some prescribed users complain that the drug leaves them in a complete mental fog, leaving them unable to take it whenever they need to focus.
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Signs Of Benadryl Abuse
The signs of substance abuse of any kind are not always obvious. Here is what to look out for if you suspect someone in your life may be abusing diphenhydramine.
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Confusion or difficultly processing information
- Anxiety
- Poor coordination
- Loss of appetite;
Signs that are more difficult to notice include physical weakness, chest tightness, headache, or gastrointestinal distress.;
Physical Effects Of Diphenhydramine Addiction
- Excessive drowsiness
- Tightness in chest
- Dry mouth
- Overall sense of physical weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Nightmares
- Depression
When diphenhydramine is abused in high doses, hallucinations and delusions can occur. Hallucinations refer to seeing someone or something that is not there, while delusions occur when someone is adamant in a thought, belief, etc. that is untrue and not associated with reality. For example, someone who is experiencing a delusion might believe that someone is following/spying on them when in reality, that is not occurring at all.
Other lesser-known symptoms associated with diphenhydramine addiction include itchy skin, flushed skin, increased body temperature, extreme restlessness, and erectile dysfunction. It is also extremely dangerous for people who have preexisting kidney problems to use this drug, never mind abuse it. Additionally, diphenhydramine addiction has been strongly linked to the development of dementia, especially in those older individuals who abuse this medication.
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Teens Are Abusing Benadryl To Get High
Monday;evening, all of the Angelina County;Drug-Free All-Stars were recognized for their hard work and their important message to stay drug free and to get others to do the same.
Rachel Ooates, a senior at Diboll High School, said, “It’s really amazing.; We get to go around and help kids in the community and teach them that they don’t need drugs to have fun and be a successful person.”
But,;now they have to worry about teenagers who abuse common medicines that treat colds and allergies like Benadryl. Taken in high doses, it can create highs.
And both of the teenagers;the East Texas News;spoke with say they know of classmates who have talked about abusing medicine or who have.
Shelby Portwood, a senior at Lufkin High School, said, “I have a friend who, last year, took a an entire box of Sudafed in class, in the middle of the school day.; We had to take care of him, his heart was racing out of control, and he had no idea what was going on around him.; And, it’s just sad to see a terrible thing happen to a good person.”
Her friend ended up being ok, but now the Drug Free Coalition hopes that parents are taking note.
Sheila Adams, of the Drug Free All-Stars, said, “Make sure even baby Benadryl is locked up and children’s Tylenol, make sure it is all locked up and they don’t know where it is.”
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What Can Parents And Caregivers Do To Help
There are a few things you can do as the adult in the house to help prevent an overdose from diphenhydramine and all other drugs that may be in your home.
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Why Do People Abuse Benadryl
Those in search of a Benadryl high dont realize that its not a drug that can be used to create the type of feelings experienced from using alcohol, marijuana or opioids. Theres been a recent epidemic of young people taking the Benadryl challenge popularized on social media. Its availability as an over-the-counter drug may be a reason for this disturbing trend, along with the teenage desire to experiment.
Lets Step Back What The Heck Is Benadryl
Benadryl is a brand name that covers a range of Diphenhydramine allergy medications. In regular doses, its fine. It will relieve many common allergy symptoms, including itchiness, watery eyes, cough, etc.
You can even give it to your dog, and theyll be fine. It works by blocking histamine that your body normally produces during allergic reactions and by limiting acetylcholine to help counteract watery eyes, runny nose, and the like.
Once you cross that threshold, though, the flood gates to the more serious side effects open, of which hallucinations are a common theme.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Benadryl
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using diphenhydramine and call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe drowsiness; or
- painful or difficult urination.
Side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may be more likely in older adults.
Common side effects may include:
- drowsiness;
- dry mouth, nose, or throat;
- feeling restless or excited ; or
- day-time drowsiness or “hangover” feeling after night-time use.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How To Stop Taking Benadryl Safely
As noted above Benadryl is prone to the development of withdrawal when doses are missed or stopped abruptly, so it is crucial to consider the half-life of diphenhydramine. Therefore, in those patients wishing to stop Benadryl use, a gradual taper in which the dose of used Benadryl is slowly decreased over a period of time can be used to avoid more significant diphenhydramine withdrawal symptoms.
The environment in which cessation of Benadryl use can be carried out depends on the severity of the existent addiction.;
- For mild cases of Benadryl addiction, treatment may be carried out at home by gradually decreasing the dosage.
- For severe cases of Benadryl addiction, where a decrease in dosage will result in significant withdrawal symptoms, treatment may need to be carried out in a rehab facility. At the facility, the detoxification from DPH will be carried out using the same form of the gradual decrease in dosage and the patient will be managed symptomatically while recording the severity of withdrawal symptoms on a scale.
Furthermore, if the patient also has concomitant substance use disorder or is being treated for other chronic conditions or mental illnesses, a hospital or a rehab setting will be more beneficial in the withdrawal process as the possibility for complications is higher.
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How Does Equate Allergy Relief Compare To Benadryl
Equate uses the same active ingredient seen in Benadryl. The use of each didnt show any noticeable difference during the review, making Equate the much cheaper and better choice. The only time you might consider getting Benadryl instead is if Walmart is closed and you need relief immediately. In this case, you might find Benadryl or other allergy medications available at a nearby convenience store
The Delirious Cult Of Recreational Benadryl Users
When taken in large amounts, the over-the-counter allergy drug has hallucinogenic effects on young adults. None of them seem to like it but they also dont want to stop.
On a sunny spring day in 2019, 16-year-old Gabby returned home from the Chicago fast food restaurant where she worked to find her house empty and dark. Her parents ;still on the clock at their various jobs ;wouldnt be home for hours. She had the whole night to herself.;
She dropped her school bag by the door and made her way to the medicine cabinet in her familys bathroom. Behind the faded painkiller bottles and expired NyQuil was the stash of Benadryl her mother kept on hand for allergies; its magenta box ripped and crinkled from use. She took it out and pushed 25 of the little pink pills through their protective foil, pausing for a moment to listen to the clinking sound they made as they slid across each other like tiny seashells in her hand. Placing them on her tongue in groups of five, she swallowed all of them with a glass of water until nothing was left but the faint pink residue of their coating on her palm.;
A year later, Gabby, now 17, remembers the four-hour trip as hellish, sinister and dark, but when she recovered, she wanted more. Im very much tuned into its magical effects, she writes over Reddit DM. Even if theyre a little terrifying.
benadryl doesnt make me tired anymore so now i just pop them for the aesthetic lol
A post shared by Benadryl UK on Aug 20, 2018 at 7:52am PDT
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Do I Have A Diphenhydramine Addiction
If you are taking diphenhydramine to get high or you know someone who is, addiction might be a problem. You may be addicted the drug if:;
- You continue to use diphenhydramine even though your symptoms are gone
- You take diphenhydramine because youre desperate to find drugs
- You combine diphenhydramine with another substance such as alcohol
- You hide how much you use or deny using it
- You spend more time thinking about and trying to get high
- You spend more time alone or time with people who arent really your friends
- Youre having problems with school or at work
- You cant relax or feel normal without diphenhydramine
If any of these problems sound familiar, its time to make the decision to end your substance abuse for good. As mentioned before, a continued diphenhydramine addiction can be extremely dangerous, despite it being a medication that can easily be purchased over-the-counter. Diphenhydramine can be compared to alcohol in the sense that both substances are readily available but are addictive. So, even if it is not difficult to obtain, the dangers associated with diphenhydramine addiction can be deadly.
Fda Warns About Serious Problems With High Doses Of The Allergy Medicine Diphenhydramine
Teen misuse sparked by dangerous Benadryl Challenge promoted on social media
09-24-2020;;FDA Drug Safety Communication
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning that taking higher than recommended doses of the common over-the-counter allergy medicine diphenhydramine can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death. We are aware of news reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the Benadryl Challenge encouraged in videos posted on the social media application TikTok.
We are investigating these reports and conducting a review to determine if additional cases have been reported. We will update the public once we have completed our review or have more information to share. We also contacted TikTok and strongly urged them to remove the videos from their platform and to be vigilant to remove additional videos that may be posted.
Consumers, parents, and caregivers should store diphenhydramine and all other OTC and prescription medicines up and away and out of childrens reach and sight. FDA recommends you lock up medicines to prevent accidental poisonings by children and misuse by teens, especially when they are home more often due to the COVID-19 pandemic and may be more likely to experiment.
Health care professionals, patients, and consumers can sign up for email alerts about Drug Safety Communications on medicines or medical specialties of interest to you.
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Dicyclomine: A Popular Ibs Treatment
As discussed, Dicyclomine is used to reduce cramps and relieve symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. The drug is a muscle relaxer that goes to work on the smooth muscles of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. Dicyclomine belongs to a class of drugs known as anticholinergics. These types of drugs are used to treat a range of different illnesses well discuss in a moment.
The drug comes in many brands, but most have similar characteristics in the fact that they come in capsules of about 10 milligrams and are effective in 10-20 milligram doses, in the vast majority of cases. A recreational dose is typically much greater in size.
The drug is available via prescription and does have plenty of legitimate use. First created in the 1940s, it is widely known for its ability to relieve muscle spasms in the GI tract, via its ability to function as a non-selective muscle relaxant. It blocks a chemical in the smooth muscles of the stomach, and thus, no more cramping.
The drug is sold under several brand names, including Byclomine, Bentyl, Dibent, Di-Spaz, and Dilomine.
Those who might be taking Dicyclomine to treat IBS should consult with their physician about possible allergies, or if they have heart problems, glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, or acid reflux, as these issues can present serious interactions with the drug.
What Is Diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine and the active ingredient in the over-the-counter allergy relief medication Benadryl. Typically diphenhydramine, or Benadryl, is taken for seasonal allergies, motion sickness, or as a sleep aid.
The official dosing guide suggests that people over the age of 12 take one to two 25 mg tablets every four to six hours for symptom relief or as directed by a medical professional. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 should only take one tablet within the same timeframe. Its not approved for use by anyone younger.
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What Is An Expiry Date
An expiry date is the date up until which the drug manufacturer can guarantee that the medicine is fully potent and safe to take based on product testing. Expiration dates are typically conservative to make sure you get what you paid fora fully potent and safe medicine.
Generally, solid dosage forms, such as tablets and capsules, appear to be most stable past their expiration date. Drugs that exist in solution or as a reconstituted suspension, and that require refrigeration , may not have the required potency if used when outdated. Loss of potency can be a major concern, especially if treating an infection with an antibiotic, and a substandard antibiotic increases the chance of antibiotic resistance developing.
Storing medicines properly increases the chance of them having an extended shelf life. The bathroom and medicine cabinet are not ideal places to store medications due to heat and humidity. Similarly, medications should not be left in a hot car or glovebox, or in freezing weather. Medications remain most stable in dry, cool spaces away from light. Keep the prescription bottle caps tightly closed and always keep medications out of reach of children and pets.
There are some products that should not be used past their expiry date, such as:
- Reconstituted antibiotic suspensions
- Injectable drugs that look cloudy or which have precipitated
- Insulin
