Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine medicine that relieves the symptoms of allergies. It's known as a drowsy (sedating) antihistamine and is more likely to make you feel sleepy than other antihistamines. It's used for:
You can buy diphenhydramine from pharmacies and it is also available on prescription.
It comes as tablets and a liquid that you swallow. For skin allergies like hives or bites and stings it's also available as a cream. The cream is much less likely to make you feel sleepy than the tablets or liquid.
You can also buy it mixed with other medicines, such as levomenthol, paracetamol, pholcodine and pseudoephedrine, to treat cough and cold symptoms.
Diphenhydramine can be taken by most adults and young people aged 16 years and above. You can sometimes give diphenhydramine to children, depending on their age and their symptoms. Ask your pharmacist for advice.
For cough and cold symptoms, you can give diphenhydramine tablets and liquid to children over the age of 6. For allergy symptoms, you can give it to children over 12. Check with your pharmacist or doctor to make sure a product is suitable for your child.
You can also use diphenhydramine cream on children for:
Do not give your child diphenhydramine to help them get to sleep.
Diphenhydramine is only suitable for sleep problems in people aged 16 years and above.
Diphenhydramine is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
How and when to take or use diphenhydramine If you or your child have been prescribed diphenhydramine, follow your doctor's instructions about how and when to take it.
Only take or use diphenhydramine when you need it, for example if you're unable to sleep because you're worrying about something or your cold symptoms are keeping you awake.
If you've bought diphenhydramine or any medicine containing diphenhydramine from a pharmacy, follow the instructions that come with the packet, or ask a pharmacist for advice.
The instructions will be different depending on the type of medicine you buy, and the other medicines it's mixed with.
If you're aged over 65, start with the lower dose, as you may be more likely to get side effects.
The usual dose depends on the type of diphenhydramine medicine you're taking, and why.
Diphenhydramine comes as 25mg and 50mg tablets. You'll usually take 50mg, 20 minutes before you go to bed.
Diphenhydramine comes mixed with other medicines to treat the symptoms of coughs and colds. It comes as tablets and as a liquid that you swallow. The usual dose depends on the type of medicine you're taking. Check the instructions on the packaging carefully, or ask your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure.
Diphenhydramine comes as 25mg and 50mg tablets. The usual dose is 25mg or 50mg, taken 3 or 4 times a day. Try to space your doses evenly throughout the day.
Diphenhydramine comes as a cream which you use once or twice a day.
You'll only need a small amount, enough for a thin layer.
You can take diphenhydramine tablets and liquid with or without food.
Always take your diphenhydramine tablets with a drink of water. Swallow them whole. Do not chew them.
Liquid medicines containing diphenhydramine come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure the right dose. If you do not have a syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.
With the cream, put a small amount onto the affected area and smooth it in gently. Do not use it on large areas of skin. Keep the cream away from your eyes, mouth and nose.
Remember to wash your hands afterwards, unless you're treating your hands.
If you're taking diphenhydramine to help you sleep and you forget to take it by bedtime, skip your missed dose and start again the next evening.
If you're taking any other medicine containing diphenhydramine and forget to take a dose, take your medicine when you next need it to ease your symptoms.
Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
Too much diphenhydramine can be dangerous.
If you've taken more than the usual dose you may:
In serious cases you can become unconscious and may need emergency treatment in hospital.
Do not use diphenhydramine cream at the same time as other products containing diphenhydramine. This can lead to overdose.
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.
Take the diphenhydramine packet or leaflet inside it plus any remaining medicine with you.
Like all medicines, diphenhydramine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. However, you may be more likely to get them if you're over 65.
Common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:
Diphenhydramine cream can sometimes make your rash worse. It may also make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to diphenhydramine.
You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
These are not all the side effects of diphenhydramine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
Information:
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit Yellow Card for further information.
What to do about:
Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery if you're feeling this way.While diphenhydramine can be used during pregnancy, it is not normally recommended. This is because of the side effects, which may be more significant during pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist other medicines, such as chlorphenamine, that may more suitable.
If you have difficulty sleeping while you're pregnant, your doctor or midwife may suggest ways to improve your sleep routine, like relaxing, and avoiding naps.
If you have a cough or cold, you can help to ease your symptoms by resting, drinking plenty of fluids and taking paracetamol.
If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take diphenhydramine while you're breastfeeding, but it's better to take occasional doses or only take it for a short time.
Diphenhydramine passes into breast milk in very small amounts. Although it's unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby, it is a drowsy antihistamine, so could make your baby sleepy.
If you're breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor. They may recommend similar antihistamines, called loratadine and cetirizine, that are more suitable while you're breastfeeding.
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, midwife or health visitor if your baby is not feeding as well as usual, seems unusually sleepy, seems irritable, or if you have any other concerns about your baby.
Some medicines can affect the way diphenhydramine works, and increase the chances of you having side effects. Check with your pharmacist or doctor if you're taking:
If you're taking a cough or cold remedy or a painkiller containing diphenhydramine, check carefully what the other ingredients are. For example, check whether it contains paracetamol.
Ask your pharmacist for advice before you take this medicine together with any other painkillers or medicines.
There might be a problem taking some herbal remedies and supplements alongside diphenhydramine, especially ones that cause side effects such as sleepiness, a dry mouth or making it difficult to pee.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.
Diphenhydramine is a medicine called an antihistamine. It is classed as a drowsy (sedating) antihistamine.
When you come into contact with something you're allergic to, your body produces a chemical called histamine.
This can cause symptoms such as a runny nose or skin rashes.
Diphenhydramine blocks the effects of histamine in your brain and this reduces symptoms. It enters the brain in large quantities and this can make you feel drowsy.
Diphenhydramine also blocks the effects of another chemical called acetylcholine. This can help a cough or runny nose but can also cause side effects such as a dry mouth and dry nose.
How long does it take to work?If you're taking diphenhydramine for short-term sleep problems, it will start to make you feel drowsy around 20 to 30 minutes after you take it.
For coughs and colds, your symptoms will normally start to improve within 20 minutes.
The medicine should work for around 4 to 6 hours.
How long can I take it for?Only take diphenhydramine for a short time.
You can become dependent on it if you take it continuously for too long. To avoid this, follow the instructions that come with the medicine and only take diphenhydramine for a very short time, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Is diphenhydramine addictive?It is unlikely that you'll become addicted to diphenhydramine but it's best to only take it for a short time. You can become dependent on diphenhydramine if you take it continuously for too long.
Follow the instructions that come with the medicine and only take diphenhydramine for a very short time, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Can I take more than one antihistamine at a time?If you have a severe itchy skin rash, your doctor may recommend taking 2 different antihistamines at the same time for a few days.
As well as taking a non-drowsy antihistamine during the day (such as fexofenadine, cetirizine or loratadine), your doctor may advise that you take a drowsy antihistamine at night if itching is making it difficult to sleep.
Do not take another drowsy antihistamine together with diphenhydramine. It will make you very tired and sleepy. Other drowsy antihistamines include chlorphenamine (Piriton), promethazine (Phenergan) and hydroxyzine (Atarax or Ucerax).
Do not take 2 antihistamines together unless you've been advised to by your doctor.
What's the difference between diphenhydramine and other antihistamines?Diphenhydramine is known as a drowsy, or sedating, antihistamine as it makes you sleepy.
Non-drowsy antihistamines are less likely to have this effect. These include cetirizine, fexofenadine and loratadine.
Most people prefer to take a non-drowsy antihistamine as it's less likely to interfere with their everyday routine. You might choose to take a drowsy antihistamine, however, if you're having problems falling asleep, or if symptoms like itching or coughing are keeping you awake.
There is not enough information to say whether one antihistamine is better than another for treating allergies. You may need to try a few different medicines to find what works best for you. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're unsure.
How is it different to other cough and cold remedies?Diphenhydramine blocks the effects of a natural chemical called acetylcholine. This can help dry up a cough or runny nose but can also cause side effects such as a dry mouth and dry nose.
Some cough and cold remedies claim to suppress your cough or stop you bringing up phlegm. Although some people find them helpful, they're not usually recommended. This is because there's little evidence that they're any more effective than simple home remedies, and they're not suitable for everyone.
Can I take it with painkillers?Yes, you can take diphenhydramine together with painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
If you take diphenhydramine with painkillers that contain codeine (such as co-codamol) or other prescription painkillers, you may feel very tired and sleepy. Do not drive, ride a bike or operate machinery or tools if this happens to you.
It's important to check the packaging or label of your medicine carefully. This is because some diphenhydramine products already contain a painkiller. Do not take extra painkillers if this is the case, as there's a risk of overdose.
Speak to your pharmacist if you're not sure whether a medicine already contains a painkiller.
Can I drive or ride a bike with it?Do not drive a car or ride a bike if diphenhydramine makes you sleepy during the day, gives you blurred vision or makes you feel dizzy, clumsy or unable to concentrate or make decisions. This may be more likely when you first start taking diphenhydramine but could happen at any time, for example when starting another medicine.
It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking diphenhydramine. GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.
Will it affect my fertility?There's no evidence to suggest that taking diphenhydramine reduces fertility in either men or women.
Will it affect my contraception?Diphenhydramine does not affect any type of contraception including the combined pill and emergency contraception.
Can I drink alcohol with it?Do not drink alcohol while you're taking diphenhydramine.
Alcohol and diphenhydramine together can make you sleep very deeply.
You will not be able to breathe properly and you may have difficulty waking up.
You can eat normally while taking diphenhydramine.
However, do not drink alcohol. If you are taking diphenhydramine to help you sleep, you should also try not to drink anything that contains caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cola or energy drinks. Caffeine has the opposite effect to diphenhydramine on your body and can stop it working.
Does diphenhydramine make you put on weight?There's no evidence that diphenhydramine makes you put on weight.
Can lifestyle changes help me sleep better?There are a number of things you can try to help yourself have a good night's sleep:
If you have hay fever, it will help if you do not spend too much time outside when the pollen count is high.
The best way to prevent any sort of allergic reaction is to avoid the substance that you're allergic to, if you can. There are some practical steps you can follow to help you avoid common allergens.
Medically reviewed by Mary Lucas, RN
Written by Our Editorial Team
Last updated 10/06/2020
From time to time, just about all of us will experience a night in which our bodies just won’t let us fall asleep at a normal time.
Dealing with insomnia, whether temporary or recurring, can be stressful. Not only is it frustrating to spend hour after hour in bed without being able to fall asleep, but the lack of sleep that occurs after a night of insomnia can zap your energy, focus and wellbeing.
To deal with occasional bouts of insomnia, many people turn to over-the-counter antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl®.
Although antihistamines aren’t designed to treat insomnia, the drowsiness they induce may make it easier to fall asleep, making them a convenient now-and-then treatment option that most people already have inside their medicine cabinet.
Benadryl is a popular first-generation antihistamine that does cause drowsiness as a side effect, partly because it's less likely to affect the natural histamine produced by our brain.
That's where the association comes from — because of the tight association between antihistamines like Benadryl and drowsiness, it's a pretty common connection people experiencing light levels of insomnia make to help them curb their sleep problems.
However, they aren’t the best option for treating insomnia.
Not only are they less effective than other sleep aids, but they may also be more likely to lower your sleep quality and cause certain side effects.
Below, we’ve dug into the data behind how Benadryl and other antihistamines cause you to fall asleep easier. We’ve also listed a range of safer, healthier alternatives to Benadryl that can help you fall asleep if you’re prone to difficulty sleeping.
Benadryl is a type of medication called an antihistamine. It contains an active ingredient called diphenhydramine. Diphenhydramine is an old, well-studied medication that first came onto the market in the 1940s and has been widely used in the decades since.
diphenhydramine is typically used to treat the effects of allergies. It’s also used for certain cold symptoms, motion sickness and, in some cases, as a treatment for sleep difficulties.
Diphenhydramine works by blocking the effects of histamine — a neurotransmitter responsible for numerous processes in the body.
Histamine mediates your body’s response to allergens by triggering an inflammatory response in your body’s nasal mucosa.
When you feel sick or have an allergic reaction, histamine’s effects on your body may cause you to develop a runny nose, itchy skin, watery eyes and other common allergy symptoms.
This is why Benadryl is often used to treat allergies and cold symptoms. By blocking the effects of histamine, it makes the symptoms of allergies or a cold less severe and easier to deal with.
Interestingly, histamine is also responsible for regulating your sleep-wake cycle. By binding to the brain’s h2 histamine receptors, medications containing diphenhydramine not only make it easier to deal with cold symptoms, but can also make you feel drowsy and ready to sleep.
Benadryl isn’t the only cold and allergy medication that contains diphenhydramine.
You can also find diphenhydramine in a lot of other common medications, including Advil PM®, Midol PM®, Motrin PM®, Sudafed PE Day/Night Cold® and certain cough medicines.
Numerous studies of diphenhydramine show that it’s effective as an over-the-counter sleep aid for treating insomnia.
For example, a 1983 study found that people with mild to moderate insomnia fell asleep faster after using diphenhydramine compared to a placebo, and reported a higher level of restfulness, despite experiencing some side effects.
Another study from 1990 on psychiatric patients found that diphenhydramine improved sleep in people with insomnia when given at a range of doses, all without any symptoms suggestive of drug dependence.
In short, there’s a reasonable amount of scientific evidence showing that diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl and several other allergy medications, could make it easier to fall asleep if you’re prone to insomnia.
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Unfortunately, although diphenhydramine may be effective at inducing sleep, it has several side effects that make it a poor sleep aid overall.
First, diphenhydramine is only safe to use as a sleep aid in the short term. We’ve explained the reasoning behind this a little further down the page.
Second, although diphenhydramine might make you feel drowsy and help you fall asleep faster, it often causes next-day drowsiness and a hangover-like feeling in the morning. This means that while you might fall asleep faster, you may wind up feeling worse the next day.
Third, antihistamines like diphenhydramine may affect your sleep quality, meaning that although you might sleep for longer than you would without medication, you may not feel as refreshed as you should after getting a full night’s sleep.
Fourth, your body can develop a tolerance to medications like diphenhydramine, even in just a few days.
In a 2002 study, researchers found that although diphenhydramine 50mg worked well as a sleep aid for several days, after four days it was no more effective than a placebo.
Even though Benadryl and other medications containing diphenhydramine are generally considered safe in the short term, there's some evidence that diphenhydramine could contribute to cognitive decline when used over the long term.
This side effect appears to be most common in the elderly.
In a 2001 study, researchers found that elderly patients given diphenhydramine were more likely to show inattention, disorganized speech and altered consciousness than those not given the medication.
There’s also evidence that medications with anticholinergic effects like diphenhydramine may be linked to the development of dementia.
There are numerous alternatives to Benadryl that can help you get a better night’s sleep.
Some of these are over-the-counter treatments that you can buy online or from your drug store, while others are prescription medications.
One over-the-counter sleep aid that can be a helpful alternative to Benadryl is melatonin. It’s a hormone produced by your body to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Like diphenhydramine, it’s helpful as a short-term treatment if you find it difficult to fall or stay asleep.
Melatonin is a supplement rather than a medication, meaning you can purchase it without any prescription. It’s one of several ingredients in our Sleep Gummy Vitamins, which are designed for relief on occasional restless nights.
Although study data is limited, melatonin also doesn’t seem to negatively affect deep sleep or sleep quality.
We’ve dug into the science behind melatonin in more detail in our guide to using melatonin for sleep, which looks at how melatonin measures up next to other sleep aids.
Beyond melatonin, there are numerous natural sleep aids that may help you to fall asleep and stay asleep easier.
Overall, the science behind these products is mixed, although some appear to show promise.
We’ve listed and compared these in our guide to natural sleep aids.
Sleep Gummy Vitamins
If you frequently suffer from insomnia, you may benefit from using a prescription medication to improve your sleep. Several prescription medications are available to treat insomnia, including newer medications that improve sleep without being habit-forming. Options include:
Doxepin. Originally designed as a treatment for depression, doxepin is also effective as a treatment for insomnia at low doses. As a non-habit forming medication, doxepin is an effective, safe alternative to both Benadryl and older sleeping pills.
Studies of doxepin show that it can increase sleep duration and sleep quality, all without reducing deep sleep.
Ramelteon.
Ramelteon is a prescription medication that works by binding to the body’s melatonin receptors. It’s prescribed to treat sleep-onset insomnia — a form of insomnia that makes it difficult to fall asleep in a normal amount of time.
Studies of ramelteon show that it’s effective at reducing sleep onset time in people with insomnia, without any significant habit-forming potential.
Zolpidem (Ambien®). Well known and widely prescribed, zolpidem is a popular sleeping pill. Studies show that it’s highly effective at helping people with insomnia enjoy better sleep, albeit with some side effects.
Like many other sleeping pills, zolpidem is intended for short-term use only, meaning it may not be the best choice if you have chronic insomnia.
Because these medications require a prescription, you’ll need to talk to a doctor before you can purchase or use any of them.
Although antihistamines like Benadryl will make you feel sleepy, they’re not a great choice when it comes to treating insomnia.
Not only can they affect your sleep quality, but they’ll also become less effective very quickly, meaning you may not notice any benefits if you use them often.
Instead of relying on Benadryl for sleep, consider talking to your doctor about using a safer and more effective medication. For mild insomnia, you can also consider an over-the-counter option such as melatonin or a herbal sleeping aid.
Finally, insomnia is often treatable by making changes to your habits and lifestyle. We’ve listed a variety of proven tactics that you can try to improve your sleep in our guide to science-backed ways to get better sleep.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Image copyright Getty Images
How do we fall asleep? Yes, we do it every evening, sometimes even more often, but the process of falling asleep itself remains a mystery.
An international team of researchers from the University of Cambridge is trying to understand what happens to the human body and brain during drowsiness, the transitional period between wakefulness and sleep. nine0011
Scientists are measuring and analyzing this process by which a fully conscious, controlled person enters a state of unconsciousness and dreams.
Researchers are also trying to understand if it is true that this is one of the most creative periods for people.
Although neuroscientists have long studied brain activity during sleep, little is known about the process of falling asleep, Cambridge scientists say.
"Some fall asleep very quickly, others take a very long time," says Sridhar Rajan Jagannathan, a Chennai (Madras) researcher who makes his living by watching people fall asleep.
The "transition" period from wakefulness to sleep usually takes 5 to 20 minutes, says Jagannathan, who is involved with the Cambridge project. The study is funded by the Bill Gates Foundation. nine0011
But in this intermediate period, people behave differently. Some simply gradually and smoothly "roll" into sleep. But for many it is not so simple.
Image caption,Sridhar Rajan Jagannathan wants to understand what the brain is doing just before sleep
"Some people start to doze off and then are fully awake again," he says. These people seem to vacillate between the desire to sleep and the equally strong desire to stay awake.
Dr. Tristan Beckinstein, head of the Cambridge laboratory where this study is being conducted, says there are people who, quite consciously, can stop the process of falling asleep.
nine0011
He calls the moments between wakefulness and sleep "fog of consciousness". At this time, the eyes become covered with a veil, attention to what is happening around becomes dull, and conscious thoughts begin to disappear in the head.
Jagannathan, among other things, considers how the process of falling asleep can be associated with accidents and serious mistakes in human behavior. nine0011
During work, for example, people may appear quite alert and minding their own business, but if they actually start to fall asleep, this is fraught with great risks.
"If you're doing something boring at work, you probably won't fall asleep fully, but you can easily start nodding off.
You will notice yourself that you lose the thread of what is happening around you and start to doze off" says Sridhar Rajan Jagannathan.
"Snoozing can lead to serious problems," he says. Especially if you are driving or doing something else that requires concentration of thoughts and making quick decisions. nine0011
Image copyright, Getty Images
Image caption,Many begin to fall asleep in the middle of the day, which is bad for their productivity.
According to Jagannathan, among other things, researchers are trying to identify the symptoms of the beginning of the process of falling asleep.
It is also interesting why accidents due to falling asleep at work or while driving are more common among right-handers than left-handers. nine0011
Researchers also hope that studies of brain activity during sleep and awakening can help stroke survivors who are trying to regain control of their arms and legs.
But the process of falling asleep also has positive aspects. Apparently, this moment of daydreaming has something to do with creativity.
Image copyright, Getty Images
Image caption,A tired driver is dangerous to others
"In this transitional period, people feel more liberated, and this helps creativity, - says Jagannathan. - You have more freedom of expression. In this state, you are ready to make mistakes."
Many artists, writers and musicians have long said that the best ideas often come to them just before bed.
This also explains the habit of many people to postpone important decisions until the morning, because in the process of falling asleep and waking up, interesting and unexpected thoughts can come to mind. nine0011
The Cambridge study also sheds light on how our brains respond to external stimuli during sleep.
Jagannathan says that in this state our consciousness often ignores most sounds and words, but if a person hears his own name, he usually wakes up.
This fact indicates how the human brain works. This is not a machine that registers various sounds, but a mechanism that reacts to words that carry a certain meaning - like, for example, your own name. nine0011
"The meaning of sound is extremely important," says the scientist.
Photo credit, EPA
Photo caption,Cambridge study funded by Bill Gates
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Dr. Beckinstein also claims that people continue to keep track of time while they sleep. nine0011
For example, he says, many people who should be on an early morning or night flight are known to wake up on their own minutes before the alarm goes off.
"The accuracy of this timekeeping is very high. People are able to know what time it is quite accurately, even in their sleep," he says.
Tristan Beckinstein also confirms the existence of a paradox related to sleep: those who want it the most find it hardest to fall asleep. nine0011
Researchers conducted experiments on students who were offered to pay money if they could fall asleep as soon as possible. But this psychological pressure backfired, and they couldn't sleep.
According to Jagannathan, scientists should better understand how a person relaxes and falls asleep.
"When people complain about insomnia, they are asked how they sleep when they succeed: how long or how deep the sleep was, for example," he says. nine0011
"But they are never asked how they manage to fall asleep. And this is the most important thing," the researcher emphasizes.
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Sleep and problems with it are one of the most pressing problems of modern man.
Recently, the number of accidents associated with falling asleep on the roads of the driver has increased on the roads around the world. Some researchers attribute this not only to the consequences of the coronavirus, but also to the fact that humanity has become less and less quality sleep. nine0011
Miron Gorin
AvtoVzglyad experts found out how much time the body needs to rest and recover from fatigue, how sleep affects driving behavior and what lack of sleep leads to. But first, we suggest recalling how an interesting study was conducted by Ford in 2017. According to the collected data, every third Russian driver fell asleep at the wheel at least once in his life. Alarming statistics clearly show that lack of sleep, or problems with it, directly affects all types of life, including driving. nine0011
When a person has not slept for just one night, the degree of his reaction decreases in the same way as if he was in a moderate degree of intoxication.
But if in the case of intoxicating a driver there are certain laws and procedures, then there are no clear criteria for the degree of driver drowsiness yet. This leads to the fact that a huge number of people get behind the wheel, not getting enough sleep. According to world statistics, up to 20% of accidents are associated with falling asleep at the wheel. And these are fatal accidents, as they are often associated with driving into oncoming traffic. nine0011
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It is interesting that a person is the only living being who consciously sacrifices his sleep for some other purpose. Chronic lack of sleep reduces reaction and performance, and also causes a lot of health and mental problems. Obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, anxiety, depression - this is not a complete list of diseases that develop due to lack of sleep. If people sleep less than 7 hours, then the overall mortality increases by 12%.
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According to the somnologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences Roman Buzunov, the average sleep duration is from 7 to 9 hours, but for a particular person it can be from 4 to 12 hours. According to the professor, for a comfortable rest, it is recommended to follow the 15-minute rule. That is, to be tired enough in the evening to fall asleep in 15 minutes, and at night there should be a total of no more than 15 minutes of awakenings.
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There is a common misconception that sleeping before midnight is better than after. Although in fact it is not the time of going to bed that is important, but the observance of a stable sleep schedule and the total duration of sleep. It is quite possible to go to bed at one in the morning, get up at 8 in the morning and get enough sleep (melatonin production at the same time will adjust to such a schedule of sleep and wakefulness - our body can rearrange our circadian rhythms).
The COVID-19 pandemic has actually led to the development of an insomnia pandemic. If before the emergence of a new coronavirus infection, chronic insomnia was observed in 15% of the adult population, now this figure reaches 25-30%. This is due both to the consequences of the infection itself, and to the global increase in the level of stress in society.
Violation of the usual lifestyle also plays a role: remote work, reduced physical activity, reduced social contacts. Chronic sleep disorders naturally lead to deterioration in daytime functioning, in particular, to an increase in the frequency of accidents due to a decrease in the reaction of drivers and falling asleep at the wheel. nine0011
Photos from open sources
Modern neural networks are able to determine the psycho-physiological state of a person and his reactions to various changes.
After the driver gets behind the wheel, artificial intelligence uses the camera to scan and identify the face - it processes information about the driver. In real time, the neural network understands what is happening to a person (for example, he falls asleep, yawns, is distracted or talking on the phone). nine0011
If the camera detects that the driver is falling asleep, or even if there are obvious signs of falling asleep, the system gives the driver a signal - sound or light - to wake him up.
As experts from Antison told the AvtoVzglyad portal, modern neural networks are trained to deeply monitor a person's state: from drowsiness to cognitive load. Today, the main goal of using neural networks in the automotive industry is to prevent accidents and other incidents associated with driver falling asleep during trips, thereby increasing road safety. nine0011
Yes, artificial intelligence cannot eliminate all risks on the road, but there is no doubt that the future of automotive safety lies, among other things, with smart systems.
