Diphenhydramine
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DPH is known to cause dangerous and extremely unpleasant experiences.

Please use responsible use practices when trying this drug and always have a trip sitter.

Diphenhydramine
The skeletal formula of diphenhydramine
DPH.png
Benadryl.jpg
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names Benadryl, Diphenhydramine, DPH
Substitutive name Benylin, Nytol, Sominex, Unisom, Sominex, ZzzQuil
Systematic name 2-(diphenylmethoxy)-N,N-dimethylethanamine
Class Membership
Psychoactive class Deliriant
Chemical class Antihistamine
Routes of Administration



Oral
Dosage
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section.
DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
Threshold 10 - 150 mg
Light 150 - 300 mg
Common 250 - 500 mg
Strong 450 - 700 mg
Heavy 650 - 1000 mg+
Duration
Onset 60 - 120 minutes
Peak 4 - 8 hours
After effects up to 12 hours









Summary sheet: Diphenhydramine

DPH (Diphenhydramine) is a first-generation antihistamine used to treat a number of conditions including allergic symptoms and itchiness, the common cold, insomnia, motion sickness, and extra-pyramidal symptoms.[1] When taken in “recreational” doses, however, DPH becomes a notorious and extremely powerful deliriant.

DPH is legal and easily accessible over the counter.[2] It was one of the first known antihistamines, first synthesized in 1943 by Dr. George Rieveschl and usually sold under the brand name of “benadryl”. This substance is available in many forms of generic or store brand medication.

Chemistry

Diphenhydramine, or 2-(diphenylmethoxy)-N,N-dimethylethanamine, is a first generation antihistamine originally synthesized in 1943. The chemical structure of DPH contains an ethylamine chain with two methyl groups bonded to the terminal nitrogen group RN. Additionally, this ethylamine chain is substituted at R2 with a diphenylmethoxy group, forming an ether. The diphenylmethoxy group consists of two aromatic phenyl rings bonded the carbon member of a methoxy group CH3O-. DPH is produced as a hydrochloride salt.

Pharmacology

DPH is an inverse agonist of the histamine H1 receptor, and is also a competitive antagonist at mACH receptors. This substance works via its antagonistic action on acetylcholine receptors. Although the precise mechanism is not understood, it’s this inhibition of acetylcholine which leads to delirium, sedation and intensely realistic hallucinations along side of some extremely uncomfortable and dysphoric physical side effects.

Subjective effects

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.

In terms of its subjective effects, DPH has a non-linear dosage scale unlike anything found within other substances. It is not like other drugs in sense of dosage, as a light dose does not equal a light trip. Doses under 300mg induce more of a restless feeling, body high, and muscle relaxation. Doses typically 600mg+ are what make the user enter delirium and begin to see fully formed hallucinations. Anything in between these two extremes is often a disappointing and uncomfortable experience, characterized with twitching and only very minor hallucinations, mostly in the peripheral vision.

Physical effects

The physical effects of DPH are usually described as extremely uncomfortable. They can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. These are described below and generally include:

The levels of dysphoria experienced, however, vary between people with a very small percentage of users reporting that they do not seem to experience them at all.

Cognitive effects

The head space of DPH is described by many as generally negative and dysphoric throughout the trip, often consisting of extreme paranoia and feelings of impending doom. It is largely confusing and disorienting often leading to a complete inability to communicate or understand normal language.

The most prominent of these effects include:

Visual effects

DPH does not enhance visual stimuli in the way that psychedelics do. Instead, they tend to degrade and decrease visual aptitude resulting in increasing hallucinations and degrading vision. These components are detailed below.

Suppression

Distortions

  • Drifting (melting, breathing, morphing and flowing) - In comparison to other hallucinogens, this effect can be described as intricate in complexity, jittery, slow and rigid in motion, static in their permanence, realistic in believability, and interactive in plasticity.
  • Brightness alteration - It is not uncommon during DPH experiences for one's vision to become dark and gloomy in its brightness.
  • Visual haze
  • After images

Hallucinatory states

Auditory effects

Available Forms

DPH is available in several different forms over the counter and online.

  • Capsules - Available over the counter and online. Well-known brands include Benadryl, Benylin, Nytol and Sominex. Many of these products contain other medicines, including dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and ephedrine. Care should be taken when using these products to ensure that there is no overdose on other medicines in the DPH-containing product.
  • Liquid - Available over the counter and online. DPH in liquid form can be taken orally or injected. Well-known brands include Benadryl, Benylin, Nytol and Sominex. Many of these products contain other medicines, including dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and ephedrine. Care should be taken when using these products to ensure that there is no overdose on other medicines in the DPH-containing product.
  • Powder - Available online. DPH in powdered form can be taken orally, via injection or insufflation.

Toxicity and harm potential

It is extremely important to note that a single dose of DPH can be extremely unpredictable and has the potential to result in severe consequences, hospitalization or death. The toxicity and long-term health effects of regular DPH usage do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context. This is because long-term DPH usage is very rare and the vast majority of people who try this compound do not wish to repeat the experience.

If taken on a regular basis, annecdotal reports suggest that DPH can have some serious effects on one's kidneys with the potential to result in bladder issues similar to that of ketamine cystitis.

Psychosis

DPH has been reported to cause psychosis and delirium at a significantly higher rate than other hallucinogens like LSD, ketamine, or DMT. There are a large number of experience reports online which describe states of psychotic delirium, amnesia and other serious consequences after abusing the drug. In many cases, it has resulted in hospitalization and death.

It is strongly recommended that one avoid this compound altogether or at least uses extreme caution and harm reduction practices when using this drug, like having a sober trip sitter.

Lethal dosage

Diphenhydramine can become fatal at amounts close to or exceeding 2 grams. This can result in death when combined with most stimulants and MAOI inhibitors. It is worth noting, however, that a dosage of 1 gram is considered extreme in its strength and could potentially result in a fatal overdose if a person happened to be particularly sensitive to this substance.

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this drug.

Tolerance and addiction potential

The use of DPH can be considered mildly addictive with a high potential for adverse side effects such as psychosis. In comparison to other hallucinogens, DPH has been reported to be significantly less addictive than that of MXE, ketamine, 2C-B and LSD. This is simply because the vast majority of people who try this compound do not wish to repeat the experience.

Tolerance to many of the effects of DPH develops with repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about 3 - 7 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 1 - 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). DPH presents cross-tolerance with all deliriants, meaning that after the consumption of DPH, all deliriants will have a reduced effect.

Legal issues

DPH 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: Possession and sale is illegal.

Experience reports

Anecdotal reports which describe this compound within our experience index include:

Additional experience reports can be found here:

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://www.drugs.com/monograph/diphenhydramine-hydrochloride.html
  2. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dhpc&field-keywords=Diphenhydramine%20
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