Nyquil contains doxylamine succinate, once listed on Wikipedia as the most effective over the counter sleep aid in the world. It originally sold as Sominex. I buy it (cheaply) at Walmart as a generic sleep aid... take it about three times a week so as not to build up a tolerance for it. Like most OTC sleep aids it is an (older) antihistamine.
It came on the market in the 50's I think and, if I am not mistaken, was discovered in the 90's to have been an early weak SSRI drug, which of course no one realized. (Seratonin and related contribute to the circadian rhythms.)
My son, an RN case manager (sort of similar to an nurse practitioner) said recently how much he liked Nyquil because it helped him sleep. I suggested he try some cheaper doxylamine succinate but he said 'no' he would stick with the Nyquil... then I showed him that it contained doxylamine succinate. 😂 Imagine an aging intellectual wastrel upstaging a medical professional.
Doxylamine succinate is a great sleep aid. I don’t think I will need it tonight, we just processed 2 deer and I am very tired.
Nyquil: So I only take one tab about every half decade, when I get a cold, to unplug my nose, so’s I can get to sleep. It’s clearly not habit forming and I have zero trouble getting to sleep the rest of the time——a ten-count and I’m usually out. I bought an extra box so my supply should last until I’m at least 150. You think I’ll be OK?