Here are side effects of sleeping pills you might not know.
1. Excessive use Causes Resistance
Sleeping pills might be a way out of insomnia, which could produce instant relief. The problem, however, comes when it becomes a habit. When you cannot sleep without taking sleeping pills, your body will get used to it. In other words, they become ineffective, which might lead to the temptation to take them in excess.
2. Erratic behaviors
Some sleeping pills have been linked with parasomnia or sleepwalking. This is a semi-state of consciousness in which the person does many things while sleeping, without a recollection of it. Many people might eat a lot, make phone calls, have sex, and do many other things while more or less sleeping, and they have no memory of it.
3. Sleeping Pills are Addictive
The best use of sleeping pills is for a short time, not more than a week. Anything more than this is asking for trouble as it increases the chances of the body depending on it. Ideally, if you use sleeping pills for more than a month or two, you might form an unhealthy bond where you will not be able to fall asleep without the medicine. Any endeavor to quit might trigger withdrawal symptoms and difficulty sleeping.
4. Risk of Memory Loss
When you take sleeping pills excessively, it becomes a habit that could cause memory loss. According to study as well, seniors that are prescribed sleeping pills are more susceptible to developing Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Drowsiness
Sleeping pills are intense hypnotic with a powerful effect on the body. As a result, they might make you tired and still feeling sleeping the following day. This is because it doesn’t wear off comfortably. Besides, it affects your performance and effectiveness in the next day’s activities.
Conclusion
Sleeping pills are not bad. When abused, however, you might be prone to developing some of the side effects discussed here. Remember, too much of everything is not healthy anyway. This is why overdependence on sleeping pills can give you way more than you bargain for.
There are times you might need to take sleeping pills. Be sure to consult your doctor to guide you and avoid relying on it.
