Good sleep is important for how we feel, function, and perform every day. A lot of people, sick of staring at the ceiling all night, are searching for ways to get better sleep.
Over-the-counter sleep products like melatonin and Benadryl for sleep are two of the most common options tired people reach for. But when it comes to melatonin vs Benadryl for sleep, how do you know which one to take? Using melatonin and Benadryl for sleep might seem like a quick fix, but one isn’t meant for regular use.
Benadryl is an antihistamine for allergy symptoms. Taking Benadryl makes you sleepy because it contains diphenhydramine. This ingredient causes sleepiness as a side effect, not a perk.
Melatonin is a hormone your body already produces to help regulate your internal clock. Taking melatonin is a safer and more sustainable option because it supports your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, rather than forcing you into sedation.
At Tabs, we love good sleep. That’s why we created Sleep Tabs. These dissolvable strips have an ideal dose of melatonin with other sleep-supportive ingredients to support deeper, more restful sleep. Learn more below and put sleepless nights in the past for good!
How Melatonin Supports Better Sleep
Our bodies naturally produce melatonin at night. It doesn't make you sleep, but the hormone signals to your body that it’s time to wind down. Releasing melatonin is a natural part of our sleep-wake cycle, and adding to your body's natural supply is a good way to get better sleep.
Benefits of Melatonin for Sleep Quality
Poor sleep quality means your sleep isn’t as restful or restorative as it should be. Do you wake up a lot in the night, toss and turn, or wake up tired, even after 7–9 hours of sleep? Melatonin works with your body to help you get better rest.
Once the melatonin helps signal your system that it’s time to wind down, it gets easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. In low, targeted doses, melatonin can help you fall asleep faster. It can also improve how long you stay in the deep sleep stage. Deep sleep is the stage of the sleep cycle when your body recovers the most.
Common Missteps When Using Melatonin
Just like in the case of melatonin vs Benadryl for sleep, there are some common misconceptions about using melatonin.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is taking too much. Higher doses don’t help you sleep better. Sometimes, high doses can have the opposite effect and leave you feeling foggy the next day. Melatonin doses can range from 0.1 mg to 10 mg. We believe low-dose melatonin is the smarter move. We formulated our Dream Tabs with 0.3mg of melatonin per tab for an ideal dose.
Another common mistake is taking it too late at night. You want to give the melatonin time to do its thing, so taking it right before you want to fall asleep isn’t the best. Instead, take it 30–60 minutes before bed.
Can Benadryl Help With Sleep?
A lot of people compare melatonin vs Benadryl for sleep, but not many realize Benadryl isn’t supposed to be a sleep aid. Still, people have used melatonin and Benadryl for sleep for years.
Benadryl is an antihistamine that helps alleviate allergy and cold symptoms, like watery eyes or a runny nose. The best time to take Benadryl for sleep is if allergies are actually what’s keeping you up in the first place.
Can you take melatonin and Benadryl for sleep together? Melatonin won’t clear up a case of itchy eyes or your seasonal hay fever. But taking the two together isn’t the best idea either.
Why Some People Use Benadryl as a Sleep Aid
The active ingredient in Benadryl is called diphenhydramine. This sedating antihistamine blocks histamine, aka the chemical in your brain that helps keep you alert. You feel sleepy when you block histamine. Sleepiness is just one of the side effects of Benadryl. Some others include dry mouth, dizziness, headache, and a few even less desirable ones - if you were wondering.
Short-Term Benefits, Long-Term Risks
In the debate of melatonin vs Benadryl for sleep, Benadryl might help you fall asleep faster. But it’s not known to improve sleep quality. You can also quickly build up tolerance to Benadyl. It may stop working if you take it for more than 2 or 3 days in a row. You can also experience drowsiness the next day. Long-term use might also lead to other health complications.
Comparing Melatonin vs Benadryl for Sleep: Is Melatonin or Benadryl Better for Sleep?
Deciding between melatonin and Benadryl for sleep? Are you considering Benadryl and melatonin together for sleep? Benadryl might help you crash quickly, but melatonin is the better long-term option. Here’s why…
How Each Works in the Body
Benadryl works by blocking the histamine chemical in your body. When your body releases histamine, it can trigger classic allergy symptoms, including itching, sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose. Blocking histamine helps relieve symptoms, but it also makes you tired. When Benadryl blocks it, your brain gets the signal to slow down, which makes you feel sleepy.
Melatonin is a hormone your brain naturally releases when it’s time to wind down. It plays a major role in the body's circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin production increases in the evening as it gets darker, signaling that it's time to sleep. Taking a small amount signals to your body that it’s nighttime.
So, is melatonin or Benadryl better for sleep? If you're looking for something quick to knock you out for a night or two, Benadryl might do the trick, but it’s not designed for daily use. Melatonin supports deeper, restorative sleep.
Which Is Safer for Long-Term Use?
When it comes to melatonin and Benadryl for sleep, melatonin is safer for long-term use. Long-term Benadryl use can cause unwanted side effects and, in some cases, worsen your sleep issues after you stop taking it.
Unlike medications like Benadryl, melatonin is not habit-forming, doesn’t cause withdrawal, and doesn’t disrupt your natural sleep cycle when you use it correctly. Melatonin is usually considered safe for long-term use, especially when taken in low doses.
Which Helps You Feel Better in the Morning?
So, is melatonin or Benadryl better for sleep and waking up in the morning? Melatonin can generally help you feel better in the morning. Some users report next-day grogginess, but that could be caused by taking it at the wrong time or a high dose. The point of melatonin is to help your body naturally ease into sleep, so you should wake up feeling refreshed, not foggy.
Benadryl feels more like a sedative. The drowsy effect typically lasts about 8 hours, but may persist into the next day if you take it late at night or don’t get enough sleep. Some users report feeling groggy, sluggish, or mentally cloudy the next day after taking Benadryl.
Can You Take Melatonin AND Benadryl for Sleep?
In most cases, combining OTC sleep aids isn’t recommended. There’s a higher risk for side effects and interactions if you take more than one. If one option isn’t working for you, stop taking it before trying a different one. Here’s why melatonin and Benadryl for sleep might not be the ideal combo.
Taking Benadryl and melatonin together for sleep isn’t the best idea because they both cause drowsiness. Mixing melatonin and Benadryl for sleep can increase your chances of excessive sleepiness, making it even harder to get out of bed in the morning. The combination can also lead to dizziness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating.
Safer Ingredients That Melatonin Pairs Well With
Some people use Benadryl and melatonin together for sleep, but there are safer options. Melatonin works best when you combine it with calming, non-sedating ingredients that help your body relax. Herbal extracts are a popular choice. People have used chamomile tea for sleep for thousands of years. Other ingredients for naturally great sleep include L-theanine, valerian root, and CBD.
Want to explore how melatonin compares (or pairs) to these natural options? Check out our other articles that look at magnesium vs melatonin for sleep, valerian root vs melatonin, and CBD vs melatonin for sleep.
Get Melatonin With Other Supportive Ingredients at Tabs for Your Best Sleep Yet!
The only sleep support you need is right here. At Tabs, we made our Sleep Tabs with clean, calming ingredients. Each tab includes the perfect dose of melatonin, plus L-theanine, valerian root, California poppy, Kanna plant, and Saffron. We formulated these dissolvable tabs to help you unwind and drift off naturally.
Curious about other sleep-supportive ingredients? We have articles comparing L-theanine vs valerian root and valerian root vs chamomile to help you understand how each one works.
For the best sleep, try Sleep Tabs.
Wrapping Up Our Comparison of Melatonin and Benadryl for Sleep
When it comes to melatonin vs Benadryl for sleep, melatonin is the gentler option that works with your body’s rhythm. Can you take melatonin and Benadryl for sleep? You can, but it’s best not to take them at the same time. The combination isn't usually necessary and may cause excessive drowsiness.
Save the Benadryl for the next time you have a runny nose from seasonal allergies, not to fall asleep. Overusing Benadryl for sleep can lead to tolerance, grogginess, and other unwanted side effects.
Combine safe, sleep-inducing melatonin with other proven ingredients to get a better night’s rest. When you combine melatonin with other natural compounds that support mood and relaxation, you get a sleep aid that works with your body. Wake up feeling like yourself again.