This post is intended to be part of a series of posts describing the overall effects of different drugs. While it is important that information be unbiased, note that these descriptions are based on my own experience and knowledge. Enjoy.
Diphenhydramine
Other names/products and plants it is in:
DPH, Benadryl, Unisom
Overall rating: 6.5/10
Medical potential:
Diphenhydramine has been on pharmacy shelves, at least in the US, since around 1946. It is used for a fair variety of common symptoms related to having the common cold. Though not perfect by any means, it works well at low doses for some of these symptoms. It is also used as a sleep aid, medically at doses of 25-50mg. Doses of up to roughly 200mg can be quite effective in the induction of sleep. Beyond this dose, the risk of sleep-preventing hallucinations and restless leg syndrome becomes real.
Diphenhydramine is also sometimes used to reduce anxiety, though benzodiazepines are very likely a better option for this.
Euphoric potential:
On Wikipedia, diphenhydramine is classified as being a euphoriant. This is mostly wrong. It is sometimes used in combination with opiates and opioids to increase the chance of nodding. It can also be used to potentiate the sedating effects of alcohol and benzodiazepines. Some pleasant and trip-like effects can also be derived from combining it with high-quality cannabis, some stimulants, and possibly psychedelics, but this is very dangerous. On its own, it is uniquely hallucinogenic yet non-trippy. It's effects can be mildly interesting, yet paradoxically for those who take it for its interesting hallucinogenic effects, interest tends to drown away as the drug's effects come on. The delirium can be mildly enjoyable at doses of 150-300mg. Diphenhydramine alone rarely produces true euphoria or even feelings of well-being.
Spiritual potential:
Diphenhydramine almost invariably causes a decrease in spiritual experiences, percepts, emotions, and thoughts. It is spiritually depleting and empty, except in occasional cases of surreal, dreamy thoughts and dream-like CEVs. In slowing down the user's thoughts or reducing their anxiety, mild spiritual gain may be obtained.
Overall, diphenhydramine is not a spiritual drug.
Dysphoric potential:
This substance has high dysphoric potential. At doses of 50-150mg, it tends to decrease the depth of euphoric experiences. It can also decrease one's mood and cause a feeling of depression, sadness, or futility. At doses of 200mg and above, it becomes a deliriant with unpleasant, confusing effects on thought and perception. It also makes thinking and remembering very difficult. At doses of 300mg and above, it begins to cause frightening hallucinations as well as restless leg syndrome and a small amount of physical discomfort. The hallucinations generally consist of seeing smoke, a visual effect similar to seeing a mirage or the heated air above a flame. Fairly common are hallucinations of camouflaged spiders. Sometimes, visual and/or tactile hallucinations of centipedes, arachnids, large viruses, bats, scorpions, snakes, beetles, and other insects also occur. These are often indistinguishable from reality and seem real. This can be very frightening. At doses of 500-600mg, acute delirium begins to occur. Short-term memory becomes virtually nonexistent and people may hallucinate that they are speaking to people near them, seeing people near them, and smoking cigarettes that don't actually exist. Lastly, when one is dreaming while on the substance, the dream tends to be a nightmare. Some people take the drug for this reason, as nightmares can be interesting and intense.
Danger and harm potential / safety:
To continue on the last sentence, some people also really do smoke cigarettes but become unaware of this and drop the lit cigarette. This and other problems caused by a lack of awareness can be dangerous. Diphenhydramine can cause severe depression to develop, especially during the experience and hangover, when taken in sufficient quantities. Irrational and illogical thinking becomes more likely. Psychotic symptoms may develop with long-term use. At very high doses, diphenhydramine often causes long-term cognitive impairment and other mental problems. It can also raise one's heart rate to dangerous levels. It also causes drying of certain mucosal membranes, which can make drinking and eating very difficult. Diphenhydramine is probably somewhat neurotoxic at doses exceeding 200mg.
But alas, the likelihood of someone taking high doses repeatedly is low.
Addiction potential:
Diphenhydramine can cause some degree of psychological dependence for its sedating, intoxicating and especially sleep-inducing properties. It is generally regarded as being non-addictive. It is surprisingly non-addictive for the vast majority of the population. In this sense it is very safe for most people.
Closing comments:
I know what you're thinking: how can I possibly give such a bad drug such a high rating? I honestly think it is quite useful for a variety of symptoms related to the body rather than the mind, and is great for mild insomnia at low doses. It also has very little potential as an addictive drug. But honestly, if you are looking for a recreational experience, look elsewhere.
Originally posted on bluelight.org under the username "Lord."
Love, Daniel.
Diphenhydramine
Other names/products and plants it is in:
DPH, Benadryl, Unisom
Overall rating: 6.5/10
Medical potential:
Diphenhydramine has been on pharmacy shelves, at least in the US, since around 1946. It is used for a fair variety of common symptoms related to having the common cold. Though not perfect by any means, it works well at low doses for some of these symptoms. It is also used as a sleep aid, medically at doses of 25-50mg. Doses of up to roughly 200mg can be quite effective in the induction of sleep. Beyond this dose, the risk of sleep-preventing hallucinations and restless leg syndrome becomes real.
Diphenhydramine is also sometimes used to reduce anxiety, though benzodiazepines are very likely a better option for this.
Euphoric potential:
On Wikipedia, diphenhydramine is classified as being a euphoriant. This is mostly wrong. It is sometimes used in combination with opiates and opioids to increase the chance of nodding. It can also be used to potentiate the sedating effects of alcohol and benzodiazepines. Some pleasant and trip-like effects can also be derived from combining it with high-quality cannabis, some stimulants, and possibly psychedelics, but this is very dangerous. On its own, it is uniquely hallucinogenic yet non-trippy. It's effects can be mildly interesting, yet paradoxically for those who take it for its interesting hallucinogenic effects, interest tends to drown away as the drug's effects come on. The delirium can be mildly enjoyable at doses of 150-300mg. Diphenhydramine alone rarely produces true euphoria or even feelings of well-being.
Spiritual potential:
Diphenhydramine almost invariably causes a decrease in spiritual experiences, percepts, emotions, and thoughts. It is spiritually depleting and empty, except in occasional cases of surreal, dreamy thoughts and dream-like CEVs. In slowing down the user's thoughts or reducing their anxiety, mild spiritual gain may be obtained.
Overall, diphenhydramine is not a spiritual drug.
Dysphoric potential:
This substance has high dysphoric potential. At doses of 50-150mg, it tends to decrease the depth of euphoric experiences. It can also decrease one's mood and cause a feeling of depression, sadness, or futility. At doses of 200mg and above, it becomes a deliriant with unpleasant, confusing effects on thought and perception. It also makes thinking and remembering very difficult. At doses of 300mg and above, it begins to cause frightening hallucinations as well as restless leg syndrome and a small amount of physical discomfort. The hallucinations generally consist of seeing smoke, a visual effect similar to seeing a mirage or the heated air above a flame. Fairly common are hallucinations of camouflaged spiders. Sometimes, visual and/or tactile hallucinations of centipedes, arachnids, large viruses, bats, scorpions, snakes, beetles, and other insects also occur. These are often indistinguishable from reality and seem real. This can be very frightening. At doses of 500-600mg, acute delirium begins to occur. Short-term memory becomes virtually nonexistent and people may hallucinate that they are speaking to people near them, seeing people near them, and smoking cigarettes that don't actually exist. Lastly, when one is dreaming while on the substance, the dream tends to be a nightmare. Some people take the drug for this reason, as nightmares can be interesting and intense.
Danger and harm potential / safety:
To continue on the last sentence, some people also really do smoke cigarettes but become unaware of this and drop the lit cigarette. This and other problems caused by a lack of awareness can be dangerous. Diphenhydramine can cause severe depression to develop, especially during the experience and hangover, when taken in sufficient quantities. Irrational and illogical thinking becomes more likely. Psychotic symptoms may develop with long-term use. At very high doses, diphenhydramine often causes long-term cognitive impairment and other mental problems. It can also raise one's heart rate to dangerous levels. It also causes drying of certain mucosal membranes, which can make drinking and eating very difficult. Diphenhydramine is probably somewhat neurotoxic at doses exceeding 200mg.
But alas, the likelihood of someone taking high doses repeatedly is low.
Addiction potential:
Diphenhydramine can cause some degree of psychological dependence for its sedating, intoxicating and especially sleep-inducing properties. It is generally regarded as being non-addictive. It is surprisingly non-addictive for the vast majority of the population. In this sense it is very safe for most people.
Closing comments:
I know what you're thinking: how can I possibly give such a bad drug such a high rating? I honestly think it is quite useful for a variety of symptoms related to the body rather than the mind, and is great for mild insomnia at low doses. It also has very little potential as an addictive drug. But honestly, if you are looking for a recreational experience, look elsewhere.
Originally posted on bluelight.org under the username "Lord."
Love, Daniel.