Diphenhydramine is available in several forms, both over the counter and online.
- Pills** are available over the counter and online. Well-known brands include Benadryl, Benylin, Dramamine, Nytol, Sominex, Vivinox, and ZzzQuil. Rarely, some of these products may contain other medicines, including dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and acetaminophen. Care should be taken when using these products to ensure that there is no overdose of other medicines in these DPH-containing products.
- Liquid** is available over the counter and online. Diphenhydramine in liquid form can be taken orally or injected. Well-known brands include Benadryl and ZzzQuil. Rarely, some of these products may contain other medicines, including dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and acetaminophen. Care should be taken when using these products to ensure no overdose of other medicines in DPH-containing products.
- Powder** is available online. Diphenhydramine in powdered form can be taken orally or via injection. Any other routes of administration are not recommended because diphenhydramine burns and dehydrates skin tissue, leading to extremely painful burns and bleeding.
- Dimenhydrinate
- Dimenhydrinate** (DMH) is a combination drug of diphenhydramine and 8-Chlorotheophylline, marketed asDraminate,Dramamine, andGravol among others, it is used to treat nausea.
It is most commonly available as tablets, although it is also available in liquid form and as a suppository. In practice, dimenhydrinate is half as potent as pure diphenhydramine. By weight, dimenhydrinate is between 53% to 55.5% diphenhydramine. The addition of the caffeine-like stimulant 8-Chlorotheophylline is reported to increase the dangerous cardiovascular effects diphenhydramine already has alone. This stimulant effect is also reported to make the trip more restless and dysphoric, with the added negative of being too wakeful to sleep the trip away.
The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational diphenhydramine use have not been studied extensively.
Diphenhydramine can be highly unpredictable, and the mechanism by which it produces hallucinations has the potential to result in serious injury, hospitalization, or death. Additionally, diphenhydramine puts users in a state where they have little control over their actions. Diphenhydramine can provoke bizarre and nonsensical behavior, which may put the user at risk.
Anecdotal reports suggest that regular use of diphenhydramine can have profound effects on one's kidneys and bladder, with the potential to result in issues similar to that of ketamine cystitis.
Cumulative diphenhydramine use has been tentatively linked to an increased risk of developing dementia.
Some chronic users also report the worsening of mental illnesses (e.g. depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia)
The overdose threshold for diphenhydramine is commonly held to be around 1000 milligrams; however, sensitive individuals or individuals taking other drugs alongside it can overdose with less. The main effects of an overdose are similar to those of heavy doses. Effects include delirium, psychosis, anxiety, confusion, hypotension, dryness, urinary retention, dizziness, dilated pupils and increased heart rate. Some of the more serious side effects at these doses include an even higher risk of seizures and dangerous cardiovascular effects such as arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat).
The user may be completely unable to distinguish reality from hallucinations. For this reason, there is a significant risk of the user responding to a delusional environment and injuring themselves or others, as well as the possibility of engaging in too much physical activity which can further strain the heart or cause rhabdomyolysis. Individuals experiencing delusions should, if possible, not be agitated. The first line of treatment for overdose should be benzodiazepines, although medical attention should always be sought.fatal at amounts close to or exceeding 2 grams. This can result in death, especially when combined with most stimulants, depressants, and MAOIs.
Some anecdotal reports suggest that diphenhydramine causes psychosis and delirium at a significantly higher rate than other hallucinogens (i.e. psychedelics and dissociative). There are a large number of experience reports online that describe states of psychotic delirium, amnesia, and other serious consequences after abusing the substance. In many cases, it has resulted in hospitalization and death.
The recreational use of diphenhydramine is generally not advised. If deciding to use this substance, one should use extreme caution and harm reduction practices, such as having a sober trip sitter.
-produces dependence with chronic use. In comparison to other hallucinogens, DPH has been reported to have significantly less abuse potential than other hallucinogens. Most people who try it do not wish to repeat the experience.with repeated use. Users have to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the impact. After that,1 - 2 weeks for tolerance to return to baseline (in the absence of further consumption). DPH presents cross-tolerance with Cross-all deliriants, meaning that after the consumption of DPH, all deliriants will have a reduced effect.
- Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)** - SSRIs can suppress the visual effects of diphenhydramine. However, this combination may elevate the risk of serotonin syndrome due to diphenhydramine's weak serotonergic effects.
- Stimulants** - Due to diphenhydramine's excitatory cardiac effect, combining it with stimulants poses a risk of an abnormal heart rhythm, severe tachycardia, or a heart attack, as well as other cardiovascular events.
- Benzodiazepines** - Benzodiazepines can suppress the visual effects of diphenhydramine. However, this combination can produce a dangerous amount of sedation and respiratory depression.
- Anticholinergics** - Due to diphenhydramine's excitatory cardiac effect, combining it with other anticholinergics poses a risk of an abnormal heart rhythm, severe tachycardia, or a heart attack, as well as other cardiovascular events (inhibition of acetylcholine causes increased heart rate).
Diphenhydramine is available either over the counter or by prescription in most countries. However, some countries require the purchaser to be over 16, 18, or 21.
Zambia:** Diphenhydramine is illegal to possess and sell in Zambia; foreigners have been detained for possession.
United States:** Diphenhydramine is widely available over-the-counter in the United States. It is an approved drug and is legal to buy, possess, and ingest without a license or prescription.
Poland:** Diphenhydramine is not a controlled substance under Polish law; it can only be bought by individuals over the age of 18 and is found only in sleep medication.
Responsible use
Hallucinogens
Deliriants
Antihistamine
Acetylcholine
Datura
Counterflipping
Diphenhydramine (Wikipedia)
Diphenhydramine (Erowid Vault)
Diphenhydramine (Isomer Design)
Diphenhydramine (DrugBank)
Diphenhydramine (Drugs.com)
Diphenhydramine (Drugs-Forum)
Diphenhydramine can be administered via oral. The route of administration can influence both the onset and intensity of serotonin syndrome.