Types of Sleeping Pills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AdobeStock_515420941-1024x683.jpeg\")
Jirapong | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDiphenhydramine Sleeping Pills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve ever taken common sleep or allergy medicines like ZzzQuil<\/a>, Benadryl<\/a>, Aleve PM<\/a>, or Tylenol PM<\/a>, you\u2019ve taken diphenhydramine. The active ingredient is an antihistamine that quells allergic reactions, with the added side effect of sleepiness that makes it common in sleeping pills.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDiphenhydramine is generally safe but shouldn\u2019t be overused by those who need it for anti-allergy purposes. Overuse can lead to a higher tolerance to the active ingredient, which would mean needing to take more and more for it to continue working. A good rule of thumb is to only use diphenhydramine-based medicines when you really need them: when having an allergic reaction, or on a plane when it\u2019s all you have and you really need some sleep. It\u2019s probably best to use something a little more natural (more on that next).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Melatonin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Melatonin is the hormone your brain naturally releases when it\u2019s tired, to trigger sleepiness, and is about as natural a sleep aid as you can get. It also happens to be available in pill form<\/a>, so you can introduce the sleep-triggering chemical when it\u2019s not naturally occurring, like on a cramped plane or for fighting jetlag. Like most sleeping pills, it can have some negative side effects if used long-term, but it\u2019s generally the lightest sleep aid you can take, and will usually do the trick for sleeping pill newbies.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRelated:<\/h3>\n8 Foods You Should Never Eat Before Flying<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\nDoxylamine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve tried the natural stuff and found that you need something stronger to get to sleep on the plane, another antihistamine called doxylamine is a common active ingredient in stronger sleeping pills like Unisom sleep tablets<\/a> and NyQuil cold medicine<\/a>. The same antihistamine qualms apply, but if you\u2019re not allergy-prone and not using antihistamines often, then sleep tabs like Unisom will offer a stronger effect. NyQuil has the added benefit of a pain reliever, fever reducer, and cough suppressant if you\u2019re feeling sick and need some rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\nValerian Root<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Valerian root<\/a> is a potent herbal supplement that causes surprisingly strong sedation and calms anxiety. Even the coated, pill version of this supplement usually has a strong smell that\u2019s reminiscent of funky cheese\u2014but it\u2019s worth it. Called \u201cnature\u2019s Xanax\u201d or \u201cnature\u2019s Valium\u201d by some doctors, valerian root can instill sleepiness and relaxation within about 30 minutes, and it doesn\u2019t have the same after-effect of drowsiness that I\u2019ve experienced hours after taking other sleeping pills.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCBD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to a study <\/a>in 2019, CBD helped ease anxiety in patients but has yet to be fully proven to aid in sleep. However, if anxiety is part of the reason why you find it difficult to relax on an airplane, it may help you sleep. Also, many CBD sleep aids are mixed with melatonin to help you relax and<\/em> sleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nCBD Hemp-derived CBD oils (with THC levels below 0.3 percent) are legal to fly with or be taken across state borders in the U.S., and with CBD becoming more and more popular and sales becoming legal, CBD is a great option for sleeping while traveling.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
\nRelated:<\/h3>\nWhat Happens If I Miss a Connecting Flight Through No Fault of My Own?<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe Best OTC Sleeping Pills for Travel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AdobeStock_208817871-1024x683.jpeg\")
luengo_ua | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Diphenhydramine Sleeping Pills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve ever taken common sleep or allergy medicines like ZzzQuil<\/a>, Benadryl<\/a>, Aleve PM<\/a>, or Tylenol PM<\/a>, you\u2019ve taken diphenhydramine. The active ingredient is an antihistamine that quells allergic reactions, with the added side effect of sleepiness that makes it common in sleeping pills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diphenhydramine is generally safe but shouldn\u2019t be overused by those who need it for anti-allergy purposes. Overuse can lead to a higher tolerance to the active ingredient, which would mean needing to take more and more for it to continue working. A good rule of thumb is to only use diphenhydramine-based medicines when you really need them: when having an allergic reaction, or on a plane when it\u2019s all you have and you really need some sleep. It\u2019s probably best to use something a little more natural (more on that next).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Melatonin is the hormone your brain naturally releases when it\u2019s tired, to trigger sleepiness, and is about as natural a sleep aid as you can get. It also happens to be available in pill form<\/a>, so you can introduce the sleep-triggering chemical when it\u2019s not naturally occurring, like on a cramped plane or for fighting jetlag. Like most sleeping pills, it can have some negative side effects if used long-term, but it\u2019s generally the lightest sleep aid you can take, and will usually do the trick for sleeping pill newbies.<\/p>\n\n\n 8 Foods You Should Never Eat Before Flying<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n If you\u2019ve tried the natural stuff and found that you need something stronger to get to sleep on the plane, another antihistamine called doxylamine is a common active ingredient in stronger sleeping pills like Unisom sleep tablets<\/a> and NyQuil cold medicine<\/a>. The same antihistamine qualms apply, but if you\u2019re not allergy-prone and not using antihistamines often, then sleep tabs like Unisom will offer a stronger effect. NyQuil has the added benefit of a pain reliever, fever reducer, and cough suppressant if you\u2019re feeling sick and need some rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Valerian root<\/a> is a potent herbal supplement that causes surprisingly strong sedation and calms anxiety. Even the coated, pill version of this supplement usually has a strong smell that\u2019s reminiscent of funky cheese\u2014but it\u2019s worth it. Called \u201cnature\u2019s Xanax\u201d or \u201cnature\u2019s Valium\u201d by some doctors, valerian root can instill sleepiness and relaxation within about 30 minutes, and it doesn\u2019t have the same after-effect of drowsiness that I\u2019ve experienced hours after taking other sleeping pills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a study <\/a>in 2019, CBD helped ease anxiety in patients but has yet to be fully proven to aid in sleep. However, if anxiety is part of the reason why you find it difficult to relax on an airplane, it may help you sleep. Also, many CBD sleep aids are mixed with melatonin to help you relax and<\/em> sleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD Hemp-derived CBD oils (with THC levels below 0.3 percent) are legal to fly with or be taken across state borders in the U.S., and with CBD becoming more and more popular and sales becoming legal, CBD is a great option for sleeping while traveling.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n What Happens If I Miss a Connecting Flight Through No Fault of My Own?<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMelatonin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Related:<\/h3>\n
Doxylamine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Valerian Root<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
CBD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Related:<\/h3>\n
The Best OTC Sleeping Pills for Travel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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