High Tea with Lady V – Peri-sode 2: What the F is Hiding in Your Medicine Cabinet?!

🎙️ High Tea with Lady V – Peri-sode 2: What the F is Hiding in Your Medicine Cabinet?!

Hello, my beautiful Lady Gardens! In this episode of High Tea with Lady V, we’re diving deep into one of those big ol’ WTF health topics that’s been hiding in plain sight—or more accurately, hiding in your medicine cabinet.

We’re talking about diphenhydramine—a tongue-twister of a drug found in everyday medications like Benadryl, Panadol Night, and Unisom. It’s been used for everything from allergies to sleep to colds… but new research is now linking long-term use to memory loss and dementia. 😳

Tune in as we unpack:

• What diphenhydramine actually does in your body and brain
• Why it might be silently messing with your memory
• The scary dementia stats you need to know
• The difference between first-gen and second-gen antihistamines
• Common Australian products that contain it (yep, some for kids!)
• Safer alternatives and Lady V’s go-to sleepy-time swaps

This episode is your nudge to check your labels, trust your gut, and make informed choices—because knowledge is power, and your brain deserves better.

✨ And as always, expect real talk, zero sugar-coating, and a few cheeky laughs along the way.

💋 Stay tuned for next week’s episode on urinary symptoms—and no, we’re not holding back.

Thanks for listening! What topics do you want to delve into? Let us know at v@highteawithladyv.com

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Transcript

🎙️ High Tea with Lady V – Peri-sode 2: What the F is Hiding in Your Medicine Cabinet?!

Hello, my beautiful Lady Gardens, and welcome back to High Tea with Lady V—the podcast where we swirl through the normal, the not-so-normal, the wild, the wonderful, and the occasionally totally effed-up world of lady wellness. And today, ladies, buckle the hell up… because this is one of those big ol’ WTF topics.

In Peri-sode 2, we’re diving into something that’s been hiding in plain sight. Or should I say… hiding in your bloody medicine cabinet.

An article from National Geographic landed in my inbox this week and gave me a serious “holy shit” moment. We’re talking about an over-the-counter drug—something millions of us have taken since childhood without a second thought. But new research is now linking it to a significantly increased risk of dementia. 😳

Enter: Diphenhydramine (try saying that after a lip flip). It’s the sleepy ingredient hiding in everything from Benadryl to nighttime cold meds, allergy tabs, and over-the-counter sleep aids. In Australia, you’ll find it in products like:

• Paedamin Children’s Decongestant
• Benadryl Cough Medicine
• Unisom Sleepgel
• Panadol Night
• Mersynonight
• Night Pain Relief (Chemists’ Own, Pharmacy Choice)
   …and a bunch more.

This first-generation antihistamine crosses the blood-brain barrier and blocks acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter vital for memory and focus. Long story short? Less acetylcholine = less brainpower. Over time? Cognitive decline. One study even showed that taking it daily for just three years increased dementia risk by a whopping 54%.

And here’s the scary part: you might be stacking doses without realising it—between your allergy meds, sleep aids, flu tablets, and nausea relief.

But don’t panic and toss your entire medicine cabinet just yet! This isn’t about fear—it’s about informed choices. In this episode, we break down:

✨ What diphenhydramine actually does
 🧠 How it affects your brain
 💊 Which products contain it in Australia
 🚫 The difference between first and second-gen antihistamines
 ✔️ Safer alternatives to ask your GP or pharmacist about
 💡 What to try instead—magnesium, smut novels, calming teas (and maybe some progesterone)

And don’t worry—those tongue-twister drug names will be in the show notes and on socials (because I absolutely butchered them live 😂).

So if you’ve been popping a pink pill just to sleep—no shame, but maybe it’s time to take a closer look. Your brain, your memory, and your future self will thank you.

👑 Knowledge is power. Power is wisdom. And a wise vagina? That’s a well-informed one.

Next week, we’re diving into urinary symptoms—and trust me, you don’t want to miss it. Until then, water those lady gardens, read your labels, and keep showing up for yourself.

With love,
 Lady V 💋

📝 Disclaimer:
This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for any health concerns or before starting new medications or treatments. The views and opinions expressed are those of the host and guests, and do not represent any medical organization.