I too fall into the category of previously scared/horrified flyer to one that is mildly nervous, but can have it escalate with turbulence.

I think just the fact that I have flown more and more as I got older brought forth familiarity, which helps.

During the bad years, I tried a few meds and not only did they not knock me out they made me feel odd and the effects seemed to linger. So, for a few years I took NyQuil. It also did not knock me out but it seemed to subdue me for a few hours. Definitely stopped the heart palpatations I'd get as we were sitting on the tarmac waiting to take off. And, at least for me, it seemed to wear off within a few hours. The additional bonus was that it helped my sinuses, which can act up when confined in an airplane too long.

I still always take a couple of packets of nyquil with me on flights, but often don't use.