Key Takeaways
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is not considered classically addictive like opioids or stimulants, but physical dependence and psychological habituation can develop with regular use.
- The "Benadryl Challenge" on social media has led to hospitalizations and deaths among teenagers taking dangerously high doses.
- At high doses (300-700 mg+), diphenhydramine produces delirium, hallucinations, and dissociation — effects some users intentionally seek.
- Regular use of Benadryl for sleep can lead to tolerance, rebound insomnia, and a cycle of increasing dependence.
- Diphenhydramine overdose can cause seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, rhabdomyolysis, and death.
- The FDA issued a public warning in 2020 about the dangers of taking higher-than-recommended doses of diphenhydramine.
What Is Benadryl?
Benadryl is the brand name for diphenhydramine, a first-generation antihistamine available over the counter. It is commonly used to treat allergies, hay fever, and cold symptoms. Due to its sedative properties, it is also widely used as a sleep aid (sold as ZzzQuil, Unisom SleepGels, and generic sleep aids).
While Benadryl is safe and effective when used as directed, it has significant potential for misuse — particularly among teenagers and individuals seeking its sedative or hallucinogenic effects at high doses.
Can You Get Addicted to Benadryl?
Benadryl does not produce the intense euphoria or reward response associated with classically addictive drugs. However, two types of problematic patterns can develop:
Physical Dependence: Regular nightly use of Benadryl for sleep can lead to tolerance (needing more to achieve the same effect) and rebound insomnia when the drug is stopped. This creates a cycle where the user feels unable to sleep without it.
Psychological Habituation: Some people become psychologically dependent on Benadryl as a coping mechanism for anxiety, stress, or insomnia. The ritual of taking it becomes associated with relief, making it difficult to stop.
The Benadryl Challenge and High-Dose Abuse
The most dangerous form of Benadryl misuse involves taking extremely high doses — typically 300-700 mg or more (the standard dose is 25-50 mg) — to experience hallucinations and delirium. This practice gained attention through the viral "Benadryl Challenge" on TikTok, which dared users to take large quantities and film the results.
At these doses, diphenhydramine acts as a deliriant, producing:
- Vivid, often terrifying hallucinations
- Confusion and disorientation
- Inability to distinguish hallucinations from reality
- Conversations with people who are not there
- Extreme dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary retention
- Rapid heart rate and cardiac arrhythmias
If you or a loved one is facing these challenges, learn more about addressing the root causes of substance misuse available at Trailhead Treatment Center in Salem, NH.
Health Risks of Benadryl Misuse
The dangers of diphenhydramine misuse escalate significantly with dose:
- Seizures: High doses lower the seizure threshold
- Cardiac arrhythmias: Diphenhydramine affects heart rhythm at high doses, potentially causing fatal QT prolongation
- Rhabdomyolysis: Muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure
- Hyperthermia: Inability to sweat combined with increased body temperature
- Respiratory depression: Especially dangerous when combined with alcohol or other sedatives
- Coma and death: Multiple fatalities have been reported from diphenhydramine overdose
Signs of Benadryl Misuse
- Taking more than the recommended dose
- Using Benadryl every night for sleep
- Buying large quantities of diphenhydramine products
- Appearing confused, delirious, or talking to people who are not present
- Dry mouth, flushed skin, and dilated pupils
- Difficulty urinating
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Trailhead Treatment Center provides outpatient behavioral health services to support lasting recovery and wellness.
Conclusion
While Benadryl is not addictive in the traditional sense, it can be misused in ways that cause serious harm. The over-the-counter availability of diphenhydramine makes it accessible to vulnerable populations, including teenagers. If you or someone you know is misusing Benadryl or any over-the-counter medication, professional help is available. Trailhead Treatment Center treats all forms of substance misuse with compassion and evidence-based care.