Gina Johnson
Sleep medication can help people who are struggling to sleep, but it's not without its risks. Some sleep medications can cause rebound insomnia if they are stopped too suddenly, and others can cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder that can cause dangerous behaviours while you're still mostly asleep. Dietary supplements that claim to help you sleep can also be risky, as they are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Prescription sleep medications work in different ways, and can cause a range of side effects, from constipation to muscle weakness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to take | Right before bedtime |
| Food | Some sleep medicines take longer to kick in if taken with food |
| Results | It may take a few nights before you start to see improvements |
| Dosage | Don't change your dose without talking to your doctor |
| Side effects | Rebound insomnia, parasomnia, snoring, sleep apnea, constipation, muscle weakness |
| Addiction | Benzodiazepines can be addictive and lead to a substance use disorder |
| Safety | Some sleep aids are not safe for some people |
| Effectiveness | Some sleep aids are ineffective |
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What You'll Learn
- Sleep aids should be taken right before bedtime
- Prescription sleep medicines may bring on parasomnia
- Dietary supplements may help you sleep but are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Melatonin supplements can help regulate the sleep-wake cycle
- Sleeping pills can cause a range of side effects
Sleep aids should be taken right before bedtime
If you need to wake up during the night, such as if you are caring for a dependent person, you should consider this when taking sleep aids. Some prescription sleep medicines may bring on parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder that can cause dangerous behaviours while you're still mostly asleep. People who take Z-drugs may sleepwalk or eat, take medications, talk or even drive, all while unaware that they're doing these things. You may appear to be awake, but your brain isn't fully alert. Most people don't remember doing these things after they wake up. Sedatives can also worsen snoring and sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening condition. Benzodiazepines can be addictive and lead to a substance use disorder. To lower this risk, healthcare providers only prescribe these sleeping pills for short-term use.
For the occasional sleepless night, over-the-counter sleep aids may help. But they, too, are not without risks: most contain antihistamines, which are not safe for some people. Some are ineffective, and some can have unpleasant side-effects, such as dry mouth or dizziness.
If you are having trouble sleeping, you could try taking a melatonin supplement before bed. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. It may help for the short term, until your body gets used to the medication that's causing sleep difficulty.
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Prescription sleep medicines may bring on parasomnia
Sleep medications can be a helpful way to get a good night's rest, but it's important to be aware of the potential side effects and risks associated with their use. One such risk is parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder that can cause people to engage in dangerous behaviours while still mostly asleep. This can include sleepwalking, eating, taking medications, talking, or even driving, all without the person being fully aware of their actions. Most people don't remember doing these things after they wake up.
Prescription sleep medicines, particularly Z-drugs, have been linked to parasomnia. Z-drugs work by slowing down brain activity, which can lead to unintended consequences such as sleepwalking or other parasomnias. While these behaviours may appear to be a result of being awake, the brain is not fully alert during these episodes.
It's important to note that not everyone who takes Z-drugs or other prescription sleep medicines will experience parasomnia. However, the risk is significant enough that healthcare providers typically prescribe these medications for short-term use only. Benzodiazepines, for example, can be addictive and lead to substance use disorders, so they are generally not recommended for long-term use.
In addition to prescription sleep medicines, there are also over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids and natural supplements available. Melatonin, for instance, is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and can be taken as a supplement to promote sleep. Valerian is another natural sleep aid that has a calming effect on the nervous system. However, it's important to exercise caution even with these seemingly "natural" remedies, as they may not be regulated by food and drug administrations and their safety is not always guaranteed.
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Dietary supplements may help you sleep but are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
While sleep medications can help you fall asleep, they can also cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder that can make you appear awake while you're not. People who take Z-drugs may sleepwalk, eat, take medications, talk or even drive, all while unaware that they're doing these things.
Dietary supplements may help you sleep, but they are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the same way that medicine is. The FDA does have some oversight of the production of dietary supplements, but it does not require manufacturers to provide evidence on the safety, efficacy, or quality of dietary supplements before they are put on the market. The FDA can remove dietary supplements from the market if they are shown to be harmful, but it's still unclear if these products are safe or if they work.
Some dietary supplements that claim to help with sleep include melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, and valerian, which has a natural calming effect on the nervous system. Melatonin supplements can be taken before bed to help with short-term sleep issues. However, it's important to note that "natural" does not always mean "safe," and some supplements may have unpleasant side effects or interact with other medications.
To find reputable sleep supplements, look for those that have undergone third-party testing or have a USP verification mark, indicating that they meet USP standards. The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) is a non-profit organization that created the first set of American guidelines for substances now categorized as drugs and dietary supplements.
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Melatonin supplements can help regulate the sleep-wake cycle
Sleep medicine can cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder that can cause dangerous behaviours while you're still mostly asleep. People who take Z-drugs may sleepwalk, eat, take medications, talk or even drive, all while unaware that they're doing these things. You may appear to be awake, but your brain isn't fully alert.
Supplementary melatonin can help you fall asleep or adjust to new time zones. It may also benefit people with sleep disorders that affect their circadian rhythms. Melatonin supplements are not recommended for people who are breastfeeding, as not enough is known about their safety in this context. Experts recommend a dosage of 1 to 5 milligrams of melatonin about 30 minutes before bed.
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Sleeping pills can cause a range of side effects
Over-the-counter sleep aids may also be ineffective and can have unpleasant side-effects, such as dry mouth or dizziness.
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Frequently asked questions
No, sleep medicine is designed to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. However, some sleep medications can cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder that can cause dangerous behaviours while you’re still mostly asleep.
Sleep medicine can have a range of side effects, from constipation to muscle weakness, dry mouth and dizziness. Some sleep medications can also be addictive and lead to a substance use disorder.
Yes, melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and can be taken as a supplement. Valerian has a natural calming effect on the nervous system and can also help promote a better night’s sleep.
Sleep medicine should be taken right before bedtime, as taking it too early in the evening may interfere with evening activities.
