The Hidden Risks of Hypnotic Sleep Aids
Prescription sleep drugs like Ambien, Lunesta, Halcion, and Sonata are classified as hypnotic sedatives, and they are the class of drugs most commonly prescribed to sufferers of various sleep disorders - and they can definitely alleviate a sleeping problem, at least at first. However, using these drugs on a regular basis poses some serious health risks, including long-term dependency and an increased possibility of sleep walking (and therefore related problems like falls and injuries sustained while sleep walking).
Furthermore, people who have to operate heavy machinery or drive shortly after waking up (so everyone who commutes to work) should also reconsider taking hypnotics, mainly because the drugs have a significant half-life, meaning that the drug remains active in the body for a fairly long time after taking it. This half-life clearly has a negative effect on one’s ability to drive safely, resulting in a greater likelihood of accidents. And besides, driving while drowsy has been found to be just as dangerous as driving drunk, and taking hypnotic sleep aids can definitely lead to some lingering drowsiness in the morning. Individuals who suffer from sleep apnea should also avoid using hypnotic sedatives, because these drugs may further impair their breathing.
Hypnotic sleep drugs have also been found to increase the likelihood of sleep walking - users have reported doing all sorts of things in their sleep, ranging from the relatively benign (cleaning their house or making a phone call, for example) to downright dangerous activities like driving or cooking. What’s even more disconcerting is that the users had no memory of these events when they woke up. People with a history of walking in the sleep should consider other ways to combat their sleep problems, such as behavioral remedies or using Speed Sleep, of course.
Tags: hypnotics, Sleep Aids, sleep drugs