Americans aren’t sleeping. At least, not without help. According to a recent study, 63% of Americans occasionally rely on a sleep aid. For 25%, sleep aids are a nightly must. While 42% take melatonin to help them drift off to dreamland, 37% said they use sleeping pills, 21% confessed to self-medicating with alcohol and 20% confessed to the same, but with marijuana.
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Of the study participants, 51% said they attempted to stop using sleep aids due to the negative stigma attached, as well as poor results, but 42% said they simply cannot fall asleep without help. The participants were aware of consequences — 47% said they had slept through an alarm after taking sleeping pills, and 42% admitted that alcohol was a “bad” sleep aid.
While alcohol is indeed a dangerous sleep aid, so are sleeping pills. On April 30, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it would require sedative-hypnotics — a class of sleep medication used to treat insomnia — to carry a black box warning stating drug side effects may include dangerous behaviors done while sleeping, such as eating, walking, driving or engaging in a range of activities during sleep that could lead to injury or death. These potentially dangerous behaviors are most common with eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, Intermezzo, Zolpimist).
Sleep is an integral part of health. Without it, your body cannot function properly, and you put your health at risk. But you’re not doing yourself a favor by using drugs or alcohol to fall asleep or stay asleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping, don’t ignore it or look for a quick fix. Taking steps to get the proper sleep you need will make your life more enjoyable and your body healthier.
From a nutrient standpoint, certain supplements can help address deficiencies that may be impacting sleep quality, including vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin B12, magnesium, potassium and calcium. Herbal sleep aids that may help naturally improve sleep include CBD oil, valerian root and chamomile. For other tips to help you achieve a restful night’s sleep, check out this article.