What is a natural sedative for flying?

I recommend melatonin as a natural supplement to my patients with flight-related anxiety. Melatonin induces sleep and adjusts your circadian clock to help you function better when you reach your destination.



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Medication is sometimes prescribed on a temporary basis to treat the symptoms of a flying phobia, such as anxiety and nausea. These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax).

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What Are the Best—And Safest—Sleeping Pills for Flights?
  • Ambien. Ambien—the most powerful option on this list and the only one that requires a prescription—works as a sedative-hypnotic medication that slows your brain activity to make you feel very sleepy. ...
  • Tylenol PM. ...
  • Melatonin.


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During the flight, distract yourself When we're really, really anxious, we can't think straight, says Marques. The key is to try to connect to your rational, thinking brain. When we really focus on thinking, like doing a math problem, our emotional brain calms down.

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Over-the-counter options include Dramamine (bonus: it will also help if you have motion sickness), melatonin (a hormone that can help with sleep and prevent jet lag), any antihistamine containing diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl), and medicines designed for insomnia, like Unisom or ZzzQuil.

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Taking CBD is non-addictive, and thousands of people use it to deal with stress and anxiety on a daily basis. This is why CBD is a great solution for flight anxiety. Stress and anxiety are very common feelings when traveling or flying.

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Mild sedative or sleep aid: ZzzQuil or Tylenol PM. Maybe you're staying in a noisy place or you're so jet-lagged you can't sleep. Either way, these sleep aids will make sure you're refreshed and ready for a day of travel.

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SmarterTravel.com serves up our travel-tested tips for sleeping on planes.
  • Choose your seat wisely. ...
  • Cut down on your carry-ons. ...
  • Skip the caffeine. ...
  • Try a sleep aid. ...
  • Stake your claim on blankets and pillows — or bring your own. ...
  • Bring a neck pillow. ...
  • Free Your Feet. ...
  • Use Headphones with Discretion.


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Consult your doctor before experimenting with any type of sleep supplements. But if you're cleared: Follow the directions on your container; in general, plan to take it about 30 minutes before you want to snooze. Don't take melatonin or any sleep aid until you've boarded your plane and taken off.

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Lunesta (eszopiclone) and Sonata (zaleplon) are other well-known prescription sleeping pills for travel. They act quickly, but won't keep you asleep as long as Ambien CR. Sonata is especially recommended for those on flights of only five to six hours.

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Doctors rarely recommend sleeping tablets for flying for several reasons. Some tablets render you immobile, which would be problematic during an in-flight emergency. Even if you're OK with that small risk, avoid sitting near an emergency exit where you could be responsible for many lives in an emergency.

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Antihistamines should also not be used to help passengers sleep during a flight.

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Treat congestion before your trip
If you're congested from allergies or an upper respiratory infection, it's important to do what you can to resolve the congestion before you fly. Common treatments for congestion include antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroid sprays.

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