30/09/2021
Sleeping pills can be a short-term solution for those with serious sleep problems and anxiety. Yet they are by no means without danger. After all, sleeping pills can have a lot of side effects and can be addictive. This applies to both lighter sleep medications and the heaviest sleeping pills.
Mental and physical habituation can occur with the use of sleeping pills after only two weeks. With continued use, in time you will not be able to live without them. If you then suddenly stop, withdrawal symptoms may also occur.
In the following article, you will read more about this and discover a safe alternative.
Sleeping pills possible side effects and their possible addictive effect
If you are struggling with sleep problems during a certain period of time, it is possible that a doctor will prescribe sleep medication to remedy the most acute sleep deprivation. Sleep medications that are often prescribed include zolpidem or benzodiazepines.
If you are prescribed sleep medication, it is very important to follow the doctor's instructions. Stick to the right dose and time limitation.
Taking half a sleeping pill occasionally on your own, for example, is not a good idea.
It is crucial that the use of sleep medication be limited in time as much as possible. After all, habituation can already occur after two weeks, making a certain dose work less well.
The use of sleeping pills has many side effects and can also be addictive. Read all about it here and discover a safe alternative.
As a result, you will need increasingly higher doses to experience the same effect as in the beginning. This eventually leads to physical dependence. Because of the higher doses you then take, the side effects can also become more serious.
Besides physical dependence, you can also become psychologically dependent on sleep medication. Then the belief prevails that without sleep medication you won't be able to fall asleep anymore.
Because of this dependence, it is not a good idea to stop suddenly. It is better to do this gradually. A doctor will be able to determine a phase-out schedule depending on the dose of sleeping pills you are taking.
If you do stop taking sleeping pills immediately, you may experience withdrawal symptoms that can last two to three weeks such as:
- anxiety attacks, irritability and nervousness,
- difficulty concentrating,
- fatigue and insomnia,
- headaches,
- dizziness,
- perspiration,
- palpitations,
- muscle twitching and tremors, as well as a tense feeling in the muscles,
- decreased appetite, nausea, diarrhea,
- low blood pressure,
In addition to the possible addictive effect, the possible side effects of sleeping pills should not be underestimated. Sleeping pills numb you, as it were, causing you to wake up the next morning groggy. Especially in older people, this drowsiness can lead to falls, which can often have serious consequences.
Many people report also suffering from loss of concentration or even memory loss. Sleep quality can also be inadequate when taking sleep medication. In fact, you rarely if ever get to your deep sleep.
Alternatives without addictive effect
Anyone with permanent sleep problems has often already gone on a long search for the least harmful sleep aid. The importance of a good sleep hygiene is often lost sight of. Rest and a certain routine to build in before going to bed can often help a great deal.
However, if you have been having sleeping problems for a long time, this is unfortunately not always helpful. However, there are alternatives to sleeping pills, such as natural or homeopathic sleeping pills, which are also available online or from pharmacies.
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