Sleeping pills?!
Question:
Sleeping pills?
for the past 6 months i have been taking one pill (otc) every night to sleep, will i lose my memory?
Answers:
Most sleeping problems can be linked to a disfunctional brain biology involving hormones, or neurotransmiters, or disorganized DNA-nutrients relationship.
The case against sleeping pills is compelling. The following information points out some important reasons why sleeping pills should not be considered.
Those who use sleeping pills have significantly higher mortality rates than those who do not
Sleeping pills (& even the newer generations) do little or nothing to improve chronic insomnia and cause long-term chemical dependency
Sleeping pills reduce brain cell activity during the day, affecting short-term memory as well as causing a hangover effect
Sleeping pills accentuate the GABA neurotransmitter, which keeps the nerve cells in the lung tissue from firing. This is why an overdose of sleeping pills will cause asphyxiation and over 1000 overdose related deaths each year
GABA actuation is also responsible for impaired physical ability. Each year, thousands of traffic deaths, accidents and falls (especially in the elderly) are attributed to sleeping pills
Sleep Apnea Patients should never take sleeping pills. Sleeping pills increase the pauses and length of pause in breathing. Someone with sleep apnea could suffer brain or ocular damage from the lack of oxygen or even death
Anyone over the age of 40 should be cautioned against sleeping pills, and anyone over the age of 65 should never take sleeping pills. Studies show that almost all people over 40 have some symptoms of sleep apnea, and anyone over 65 would be clinically diagnosed with sleep apnea
Sleeping pills create a hypnotic dependency similar to alcohol and lower inhibitions and fear of pain or consequences. This is one reason why sleeping pills contribute to accidents and why chronic sleeping pill users are less likely to worry or take care of themselves
Sleeping pills are highly addictive. Sleeping pills are similar to barbiturates and are extremely difficult to stop using
Although sleeping pills do not improve daytime functioning, people still prefer taking them because of the barbiturate feel-good effect they produce. As with many addictive drugs, they may not be helpful, but we feel good when we take them
However, a good neurologist specialized in sleeping problems, and with training on circadian rythms, could give you a lot of advice as to how to correct the underlying biological and lifestyle-related factors to your problem.
Good luck! :)