Sleep medications are usually used to promote or to prolong sleep. Used in a correct manner and only for a short period of time, they should help people who find themselves in unpleasant circumstances (environment, emotions, jet lag etc.) which disturb their sleep or make it impossible to fall asleep. Under no circumstances is it advisable to take sleep medications on a regular basis or longer than one week without checking with a physician. Sleep-promoting medications are no cure for chronic sleep problems.
Although quite popular as OTC (over the counter) products and also prescribed by physicians, reliable resources and experts have a negative view about most of these products. There have been few controlled studies about the physiological effects and side effects. (1) The main, and probably most important reason, is that these medications do not tackle the sleep problem at its roots, but just fight its symptoms.
Generally, the pharmacological agents tend to reduce the percentage spent in Stage-1-REM sleep, while increasing the amount of NonREM sleep. (1) This can lead to a so-called REM-sleep rebound once the patient stops using the medications. In a REM-sleep rebound the body reacts by creating a relatively high percentage and intense REM-sleep, as he had been used to "fighting" against the medications which also acted as REM-sleep deprivers. The result are long REM-sleep periods accompanied by vivid dreams and nightmares. To solve that problem many people return to use the REM-sleep depriving pharmacological agents.
Apart from side-effects, the long-term intake of medications can lead to another type of addiction. As our body gets used to the medications we lose our capability of falling asleep without the help of its agent. Often, even higher doses are needed in order to create the desired sleep-promoting or prolonging effect. A never ending cycle can lead to addiction and the disturbance of the natural biological equilibrium.
Sleep promoting medications can really work, but often are abused as quick fix solutions. A quick fix may be needed for emergencies and for a short period of time, but are not a wise long-term solution. As a long-term solution it is important (and healthier) to look for the cause of the sleep problem rather than just fighting its symptoms by taking medications. The first step which is done without medical assistance is to integrate a good sleep hygiene into your lifestyle. Often sleep problems are solved by simply getting the right "habits". In case that shouldn't help, then it is advisable to seek medical assistance. Your sleep and activity habits will be logged. Based upon the results your physician may be able to see a pattern which corresponds to a specific sleep problem or to recommend that you consult with a sleep expert to see if a sleep lab test is needed.
(1) Encyclopedia Britannica CD 98. "Drugs". Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 1998.
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