[health] Most over the counter sleeping pills can cause cognitive impairment

[mattbell]

For years I've been convinced that sleeping pills that have Diphenhydramine HCl as the active ingredient (this includes most over the counter sleeping pills: Tylenol PM, Nytol, Sominex, Benadryl etc) make you dumber.

This study was only done on older African-Americans who were regular users of such pills, but it did establish just such a connection.. 
http://www.physorg.com/news198238000.html

Apparently they're finding longer-lasting impairment, not just the next-day hangover effect I found. 

Take something else.  (eg Melatonin).  Or get some more exercise so you have less trouble falling and staying asleep.

Comments

[vega-33.livejournal.com]

I always found 5-HTP works well as a sleeping pill, at least on the few road trips I've used it regularly on.

[vega-33.livejournal.com]

Also kawa-kawa (sp?)