For people that need it, sleeping aids are fine if dosed correctly. When people wake up groggy or bring a lighter bag because ‘the pills keep them warm’ they are suffering from mild overdosing effects. Over-chilled or groggy mornings are not things that I want to deal with on my hikes.

But I’m in no position to judge anyone: My personal sleeping aid is a few sips off the flask

I do not sleep well, even in my own bed. I don't understand the "cheating" comment about sleep aids. What are people who use them cheating at?

For those who use earplugs, what brand? I have tried a few and they don't work for me, the snoring gets through, they fall out, etc. MP3 player works for me sometimes.

Thanks.

I think if you have to use sleep aids you arent really getting rest and most of the time it will zap your energy the next day. Cutting out stuff like caffeine and going to bed and waking up the same time every day can make a difference

I tend to agree with Heather-ak. Camping is a necessary evil for me. I am a side/belly sleeper at home and that's difficult in a sleeping bag. I often take 1/2 of a Unisom to help me sleep and I feel totally fine in the morning. Benadryl does not help me sleep, and I do feel awful the day after taking it, so maybe the people who have a "hangover" are just taking the wrong thing for them? Anyway, to each their own, HYOH and all. But if I'm in a group and people can't get moving the next morning, that WOULD be annoying.

Unisom is Benadryl. Same active ingredients

Ooo, sounds like a mental thing. It helps you sleep because you believe it helps you sleep, or it doesn't help you sleep because you believe it doesn't help you sleep. Of course, there's always more to it than that, but it's interesting to consider.

Depends on the Unisom. Some have the same antihistamine as Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCl), and some have a different antihistamine (Doxylamine succinate).

I've tried antihistamines, the basis of all OTC sleep aids. I go to sleep but then wake up several hours later with my heart pounding, almost like a panic attack. Then I don't go back to sleep at all.

With an "old lady bladder," I'm up 2-3 times during the night anyway. If I'm not feeling sleepy, I may stay up for a while and watch the stars--so spectacular when away from the lights of civilization!

If I have a short night, I just push through the next day, knowing that I'll sleep well the following night. I've also been known to take an hour's nap during the day. There's nothing that will produce insomnia more easily than lying awake worrying about not getting enough sleep!

Benadryl only makes me sleepy during the day. I am supposed to carry some all the time for allergies, but I can't take it very often without getting extremely drowsy in the middle of the day. I try to stay away from it unless I absolutely have to. The non-drowsy antihistamines do little or nothing for me (for allergies, not sleeping).

Thank you! Yes, the version I take, which is generic, is the Doxylamine succinate. Bendadryl makes me groggy but doesn't induce sleep like the active ingredient in the med I use. I go through a box of 32 of them in about 6 months, so they aren't something I take all that often, usually when traveling or trying to ensure sleep happens at a specific time for a specific reason.

I used to have this issue when I first started backpacking, but opted for drinking chamomile tea and using my essential oil necklace with a couple of drops of lavender. It seemed to calm me enough to get to sleep.

No prescription needed in colorado, washington, or california, just of legal age

For me, ear plugs are a sleep aid when camping. Jimshaw

Hi, JIm, haven't heard from you in a while! Welcome back!

Hi Mouse, glad you're still here.

Agreed. Any over the counter sleep aid. The dosing says take 1-2. I occasionally just take just 1/2. It doesnt leave you groggy in morning and the sleep you get is very restful.