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My 16-month theanine self-experiment

(dynomight.net)
817 points dynm | 5 comments | 09 Mar 25 03:08 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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grumpy-de-sre ◴[09 Mar 25 08:49 UTC] No.43307383[source]▶
For anyone looking for a sleep supplement, before you go down the rabbit hole of Theanine, Mg, etc. Try an OTC Azelastine or Fluticasone nasal spray for a month.

Turns out my chronic poor quality, restless sleep was a dust mite allergy that I should have figured out and treated a decade ago. Would wake up with a stuffy nose and very dry mouth but didn't have too many issues during the day. I was allergic to my bed.

Been using antihistamines, and a dehumidifier for several months now and sleeping better than I have in years. Given how extremely common mite allergies are there's got to be a lot of folks with undiagnosed issues here.

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riedel ◴[09 Mar 25 13:53 UTC] No.43309077[source]▶
Antihistamines could even work without any allergy since they are typically used as mild sleeping aids. They are also used often off-label for stress reduction. [0]

[0] https://fherehab.com/learning/surprising-antihistamine-anxie...

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1. amelius ◴[09 Mar 25 14:50 UTC] No.43309482[source]▶
> Prolonged use can lead to increased tolerance, reduced effectiveness, and potential side effects.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/should-i-worry-...

> Theoretically, these drugs might increase the risk of dementia by blocking a particular brain neurotransmitter or increasing brain inflammation. In the past decade, several studies have suggested that these pills might increase the risk of dementia, while other studies have found no risk. And all the studies are inherently flawed.

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2. grumpy-de-sre ◴[09 Mar 25 15:03 UTC] No.43309615[source]▶
Only Anticholinergic drugs appear to be associated dementia (but as noted the evidence is very weak).

Older first generation antihistamines such as Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Doxylamine (Nyquil) have substantial Anticholinergic activity.

A lot of the second generation antihistamines have no significant Anticholinergic activity, eg. Azelastine.

Benadryl and Nyquil are terrible drugs. Why they haven't been phased out is beyond me. At least Azelastine is now OTC in the USA.

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3. yard2010 ◴[09 Mar 25 19:27 UTC] No.43312734[source]▶
Correct me if I'm wrong, desloratadine won't pass the BBB so I guess it shouldn't cause dementia
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4. grumpy-de-sre ◴[09 Mar 25 22:53 UTC] No.43314780{3}[source]▶
Desloratadine is considered to have a low anticholinergic burden, and of course not crossing the BBB readily should reduce risks further.

But it is one of the more anticholinergic second gen antihistamines, make of that what you will, still miles behind something like Benadryl. Fexofenadine is apparently a less anticholinergic alternative.

5. Projectiboga ◴[10 Mar 25 04:20 UTC] No.43316983[source]▶
I think that was Diphenhydramine (benadryl) that may have that long term risk via being an Anticholinergic.