The researchers tested a novel hypnotic drug in mice and found that the rodents woke up as quickly as their drug-free counterparts when confronted with a danger signal. They were also able to fall back asleep just as quickly when the threat was gone.
Kuwaki, who is the senior author of the study, explains how most sleeping pills work. Kuwaki and his colleagues hypothesized that a new class of hypnotics, called dual orexin receptor antagonists DORAs , may enable the brain to stay alert to danger signals, providing a safer alternative to existing sleeping pills.
To test their hypothesis, the researchers administered DORAs to one group of mice, gave another group a benzodiazepine called triazolam, and administered a placebo to the third group. Within 1—4 hours of giving the mice the sleeping pills, the researchers presented them with various danger signals: the smell of a fox, an alarming sound, or a trembling of their cages, which mimicked an earthquake.
Human clinical trials are needed to further test the benefits and safety of DORAs, but the researchers are hopeful that the benefits will translate to humans. Stress can adversely affect physical and mental health. One common result of stress is an inability to sleep. Insufficient sleep can increase the risk…. It also raises the risk that you will get out of bed without being fully awake. Many people with insomnia wake up in the middle of the night and struggle to go back to sleep.
There is one sleeping pill that is FDA approved for sleep maintenance insomnia. Intermezzo can be taken in the middle of the night. You should take it when you have at least four hours of bedtime left. Talk to your doctor to determine if a sleeping pill is right for you. Another effective treatment option is c ognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. CBT-I helps you learn new strategies to sleep better.
Sleep aids may also affect sleep stages , with corresponding effects on sleep quality. Many people develop a tolerance to sleep aids, meaning they need higher doses of the drug over time to get the same effects. This may be accompanied by addiction or withdrawal symptoms, including rebound insomnia, anxiety, irritability, or strange dreams. For people with insomnia that resists other forms of treatment, doctors may give you prescription sleeping medication to be taken regularly.
To lower the risk of developing tolerance or addiction, doctors may prescribe these long-term sleep aids for only a few nights a week. OTC sleep aids are not intended for long-term use. Many people use sleeping pills with no major problems. However, virtually all sleep aids currently on the market do come with potential side effects , such as next-day grogginess, nausea, and headaches.
Taking the lowest dose possible may help limit these side effects. Physicians also suggest people avoid taking sleep aids on nights before they may need to make big decisions. More rarely, you may experience more serious effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:. Overdosing on certain sleep aids can lead to delirium, impaired breathing and circulation, and death.
Sleep aids may have additional risks for those with other medical or mental disorders, people who are taking other medications at the same time, and people with health conditions such as kidney disease, liver problems, low blood pressure, breathing difficulties, arrhythmia, or seizures. Women and older adults tend to metabolize medicine slower, so they usually require lower doses.
As there is limited research on the effects of sleep aids while pregnant or breastfeeding, it is generally recommended for pregnant women to avoid taking these medications. Some evidence suggests they may carry risk of harm to a developing fetus. Older adults are more vulnerable to side effects and injuries from falls , so care should be taken to prevent alertness and balance problems when taking sleep medications.
Some sleep aids may also contribute to dementia. Very few studies have been conducted on the use of sleep medication for children, and most experts advise against using sleep aids in this age group.
Among the different families of sleep medications , newer medications are generally considered safer than older ones. However, the safest sleep aid for each individual will depend on their age, health, and other personal factors:. Many people assume OTC sleep aids are the safest sleep medications because they are available without a prescription.
However, OTC sleep aids may still have serious side effects. Moreover, medications and herbal supplements that are not approved for insomnia by the FDA may carry additional risks.
It is strongly advised to consult a doctor before using OTC medications or natural sleep aids. Danielle writes in-depth articles about sleep solutions and holds a psychology degree from the University of British Columbia.
He is board-certified in psychiatry as well as sleep medicine. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder marked by excessive daytime sleepiness EDS , which can cause significant health consequences for children, teens,…. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that affects one in 2, Americans. Although people may begin experiencing symptoms at any age,….
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These cookies do not store any personal information. Keep your eyes peeled. Materials provided by Frontiers. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Science News. Common sleeping pills muffle your sleeping brain's 'intruder alert' Even during sleep the brain continuously processes sensory information, waking us if it detects a threat.
Story Source: Materials provided by Frontiers. ScienceDaily, 11 January Millions on prescription sleeping pills would sleep through a fire alarm.
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