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We asked Dr. Shiyan Yeo, Internal Medicine Physician, Sleep Medicine Expert about sleeping pills and its potential risks. She says:
“Most sleep medications were never designed for long-term use. It’s critical to understand the risks, especially dependency and cognitive effects.”
Ultimately, sleeping medications should be used, if at all, in the short-term. If you'r struggling with sleep, you deserve to know what you're really getting into with sleeping pills before you start. Understanding the downsides is the first step to finding a solution that actually lasts.
Let's break down what these medications do, the risks they carry, and how you can find a better way to get the rest you need.
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At their core, sleeping pills are sedatives. They work by changing your brain chemistry to make you drowsy.
Most common prescription pills, like Ambien or Lunesta, work by boosting a natural chemical in your brain called GABA. Think of GABA as a dimmer switch, it calms down brain activity, quieting the "noise" that keeps you awake. Older medications, called benzodiazepines, do this too, but they have a wider range of effects and a higher risk of dependency.
Doctors usually prescribe these as a short-term tool when insomnia is severe and nothing else has worked. They are meant to be a temporary bridge, not a permanent solution.
Delving into the world of sleeping pills, we primarily encounter two categories: Benzodiazepines and Non-benzodiazepines. Both function to promote sleep but differ in their effects and side effects.
Primarily, sleeping pills are prescribed when lifestyle adjustments and non-medicated treatment strategies have failed to improve chronic insomnia or sleep disorders.
The promise of a good night's sleep is tempting, but that relief can come at a cost. Here are the most common side effects people experience:
It’s tempting to think of a sleeping pill as a simple fix, but it's important to know you're often getting more than just a good night's rest. The price for that sleep can be high, with side effects like an upset stomach, dizziness, memory lapses, and a real risk of becoming dependent.
Ever take something for sleep and feel like you're moving through fog the next day? That’s the most common side effect. The sedative effect can linger long after you wake up, leaving you drowsy, a step behind mentally, and even a bit clumsy or uncoordinated. This can make driving or focusing at work genuinely difficult and unsafe.
Have you noticed an unusual level of drowsiness since starting your sleeping pill regimen? This is a common side effect experienced by many users. It can affect your ability to perform daily tasks safely and efficiently.
The intensity of drowsiness can vary greatly among individuals and is influenced by factors such as the type and dosage of the medication, your individual metabolism, and your overall health status. An adjustment to your sleeping pill regimen may be necessary to manage daytime sleepiness effectively.
An unquiet belly can underscore your restful slumber. Prescription sleeping pills might be the source if you're often unsteady and queasy after use. Not everyone experiences this, but it's crucial to be cognisant of these common indicators.
Nausea isn't an idyllic way to welcome your waking hours. Sleeping pills, though effective, may exact a toll on your digestive system, causing an upset stomach as your body adjusts to the medication.
Be extra mindful if consuming food triggers discomfort along with your prescription. An upset stomach carries the potential to negatively affect your overall well-being, placing additional mental strain that could further entertain your insomnia.
Some individuals may experience headaches after consuming sleeping pills, a frequent side effect of these medications. The intensity of these headaches might vary, potentially disrupting your routine.
If you're undergoing headache woes and insomnia, you might inadvertently blame the wrong condition. The medication prescribed to alleviate your sleep issues may, paradoxically, be causing distressing headaches.
Understanding the relationship between your medication and headaches is crucial. Consulting with your doctor or pharmacist can empower you to make informed decisions about your health and the potential side effects of sleeping pills.
This one can be unsettling. Sleeping pills can interfere with your brain’s ability to store memories while you sleep. You might have trouble remembering things you did right before bed, or just feel a general sense of forgetfulness the next day. It’s not just a long-term risk; it can happen even after a single use.
Memory problems sit amongst a multitude of potential side effects incurred from sleeping pill usage. As such, the 'hidden cost' of these medications may involve memory impairments or even amnesia, raising concerns about their long-term implications on cognitive health.
Sleeping pills work by slowing brain activity, in turn, facilitating sleep. Yet, this calming effect can persist into the waking hours, clouding memory. This 'hangover effect' may often include temporary forgetfulness and trouble concentrating.
Distinctly, scenarios like not remembering activities performed right before bedtime (while the medication is taking effect) can occur. This 'anterograde amnesia' means new information isn't successfully transitioned from short-term to long-term memory while under the influence.
A common misconception is that memory issues only surface with prolonged sleeping pill use. However, even sporadic use can result in noticeable memory impairments, casting doubt on the notion of safe, occasional use.
Lastly, it is crucial not to ignore these memory issues. If experienced, it's recommended to consult your healthcare provider promptly. It might indicate a need to adjust the dosage, change the medication, or explore alternative treatments.
A surging wave of unsteadiness often follows in the wake of sleeping pill ingestion - dizziness may become your unwelcome companion. Rooted in the pill’s function of slowing brain activity, this symptom can create a disorienting detachment from reality.
Staggering, clumsiness, or the sensation of the room spinning aren’t eerie horror movie effects; they could be side effects of your sleeping pills. This lack of coordination, while seldom serious, may lead to potentially hazardous situations, such as falling or stumbling.
Slipping into a tranquil sleep is the allure of sleeping pills, but navigating in a foggy haze afterwards is the less advertised downside. The drowsy after-effects of these medications can impair your daily functioning, by causing dizziness and loss of balance.
Moving through your day shouldn't feel like traversing uncertain ground, yet that's the reality for some who use sleeping pills. These drugs can induce unsteadiness, further bolstering the argument for careful, monitored usage of sleep-inducing medications.
If you relate to feeling like a wobbly sailor after a storm, your sleeping pills could be the silent culprits. Side effects such as dizziness and impaired coordination aren’t to be ignored; prompt discussion with your healthcare professional is paramount.
Sleeping pills can unexpectedly alter your eating habits. Some individuals may experience increased cravings, while others may suffer from a diminished interest in food. It's crucial to recognize these changes as potential side effects to manage them effectively.
A paradoxical effect induced by sleeping pills is the sudden onset of food cravings or aversions. You might develop an appetite for foods you usually avoid or find your favorite dishes unappealing. This can complicate dietary habits and even nutritional intake.
These alterations in appetite may be short-lived or persistent, varying from one individual to another. Therefore, monitoring such changes when starting on sleeping pills is crucial. Should they occur, consider discussing them with your healthcare provider to devise a suitable coping strategy.
This is the biggest risk. Your body gets used to the medication surprisingly quickly. Soon, the dose that worked last week doesn't work anymore, so you take more. This cycle is called tolerance, and it can quickly lead to dependence, where you feel like you can't sleep without the pill. Getting off them can be incredibly difficult and can cause withdrawal symptoms, including even worse insomnia.
Repeated use for extended periods creates tolerance and can potentially propel users into the clutches of addiction. Essentially, individuals may find themselves unable to function normally without the medication, causing severe sleep disruptions when attempted to cease. The subtle transition from aiding sleep to creating addiction characterizes the dark side of sleeping pills. For many, what started as a solution ends up as another problem to overcome.
Sleeping pills should never be viewed as a long-term solution to sleep struggles. Without proper medical guidance, the risk of slipping from use to abuse increases substantially, highlighting the importance of professional oversight during treatment.
The therapeutic use of sleeping pills requires strict adherence to prescribed doses. Any deviation from the prescribed regimen can trigger a cascading cycle of dependence and addiction. Utilizing sleeping pills as a crutch and not a treatment tool blurs the line between therapeutic use and substance abuse.
Sleeping pills might potentially alter your sexual performance, often posing a blow to intimacy. Temporary sexual disorders including decreased libido, erectile dysfunction in men, and lower vaginal lubrication in women have been observed.
Closer examination reveals that sleeping pills can impact your sex life, transforming desire into dysfunction. Depression, a common side-effect of these medications, could contribute indirectly to a reduced sex drive.
The consequence of long-term use of sleeping pills can extend beyond sleep-related issues to affect intimate relationships. It's crucial to consider these potential implications and discuss them with your doctor before initiating treatment.
Allergic reactions to sleeping pills could present as skin-related issues, such as a sudden, unexplained rash, hives, or itching. These reactions, while unpleasant, unequivocally signal an intolerance towards the medication critical to address immediately.
If you are facing symptoms such as itching, rash, or hives after taking sleeping pills, consider them as possible allergic reactions. Act promptly as these symptoms should never be ignored and require immediate consultation with a medical professional.
If you're taking sleeping pills and experiencing any of these side effects, talk to your doctor. They can help you create a plan to reduce your dose safely. Never stop taking them cold turkey.
To open this imperative conversation, start with your concerns about taking sleeping pills. Explain your sleep habits, health history, and lifestyle factors impacting your insomnia.
Remember, valuable insights can be obtained from this discussion. It aids your doctor to comprehend your unique circumstances and prescribe the most suitable treatment plan, keeping potential side effects in mind.
For a true, long-term solution, you have to address the reason you're not sleeping in the first place. Lifestyle changes like maintaining a sleep schedule, practicing good sleep hygiene, and creating a restful environment can make a significant difference. These alterations may negate the need for medication.
This is where behavioral therapy comes in. As Clinical Psychologist Dr. Suzanne Gorovoy puts it:
“Behavioral approaches like CBT-I treat the root causes of insomnia, without the potential side effects of sedative medications.”
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is considered the gold standard for treating chronic insomnia. It's a drug-free approach that helps you retrain your brain and body for natural, healthy sleep.
Diet and exercise also play crucial roles. Certain foods can induce quality sleep, while regular physical activity can enhance sleep duration and quality. Engaging with these alternatives could make sleeping pills unnecessary.
We know the cycle of sleepless nights is exhausting. That's why we created the Sleep Reset program. We use CBT-I principles to help you fall asleep and stay asleep all night. There are no quick fixes here, just a science-backed plan to help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling like yourself again. You'll even get a dedicated sleep coach to guide and support you through daily texts.
Our program does not rely on harmful pills, melatonin or supplements – which means no grogginess, dependency, or long-term health risks. It all starts with understanding your own sleep.
The Sleep Reset program is available on iOS and Android. Take the Sleep quiz now.
Take our Sleep Calculator and Chronotype Quiz to learn more about your sleep personality! If you're struggling with jet lag, try our Jet Lag Plan! Want help fixing your sleep for good? Try Sleep Reset which is covered by insurance!
Dr. Areti Vassilopoulos
Dr. Vassilopoulos is the Clinical Content Lead for Sleep Reset and Assistant Professor at Yale School of Medicine. She has co-authored peer-reviewed research articles, provides expert consultation to national nonprofit organizations, and chairs clinical committees in pediatric health psychology for the American Psychological Association. She lives in New England with her partner and takes full advantage of the beautiful hiking trails.
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