are sleeping pills bad for your brain?
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Your brain on sleeping pills Sleeping pills have the potential to contribute to memory problems. This is particularly true with benzodiazepine sedatives, such as diazepam (Valium), temazepam (Restoril), lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam, and alprazolam (Xanax).
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Hormonal birth control has been linked to reports of increased depression and anxiety among patients. In a study of 90 women, with 44 of the women taking birth control pills, researchers found the pill affected mental states by altering the brain.
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Flexeril is likely to make you sleepy or impair your judgment time. This may be beneficial in aiding sleep; however, you should avoid operating machinery, driving, or performing tasks that require mental alertness while taking this medicine.
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Medications that influence the neurotransmitters in our brain — those same chemicals that affect our mood and alertness — often come with the reported side effect of causing disturbing dreams and nightmares.
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Unisom SleepGels reduce your natural urge to stay awake. You not only fall asleep faster, you also sleep soundly and wake up energized. The liquid-filled softgels leave no chalky taste behind like some other pills and are proven to be safe and non-habit forming. 4.7 out of 5 stars.
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Nonprescription medications Other over-the-counter sleep medications, such as Unisom SleepTabs, contain 25 mg per pill of an antihistamine called doxylamine succinate. These medications work by blocking certain brain chemicals, which can have a sedating effect. They are generally safe but come with some risks.
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At high doses, Ambien may cause amnesia (memory loss), suppression of REM sleep, or breathing difficulties. Abrupt cessation of the medication at higher doses may also cause rebound insomnia.
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There are a number of health risks associated with sleep deprivation, including: Brain performance similar to aging. A 2018 study looked at severe sleep deprivation (no more than four hours a night). Researchers found it resulted in a decline in thinking ability equivalent to adding nearly eight years in age.
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Short-Term Memory Loss and Brain Fog Although studies have not reported any detrimental effects on brain function and memory, some blogs tell a different story. A lack of short-term memory, difficulty in concentrating, and brain zaps are just some of the complaints experienced by people taking Cymbalta.
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The Meds Cause Dangerous Side Effects Because of these dangers, the American Geriatric Society includes the more potent prescription sleep drugs—eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien)—on its list of medications that adults age 65 and older should avoid.
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You may experience a short-term brain boost, but you could also end up harming your brain (or some other aspect of your health) in the long run. “To date, there is no safe drug that may increase cognition in healthy adults,” Fond says of ADHD drugs, modafinil and other prescription nootropics.
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At a more advanced level, sleep deprivation can over-stimulate parts of the brain and even lead to permanent brain damage, according to a report on sleep deprivation among students published by The Guardian. “This is because of the brain's 'neural plasticity' – which means its ability to adapt to new situations.
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So melatonin may be intimately involved in the whole process of dreaming as a way for your brain to store, erase, and understand memories. That means any change in melatonin levels — from taking supplements or being deficient because of a mental health condition — can impact the vividness of your dreams.
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BRAIN & BEHAVIOUR Stimulants, such as cocaine and speed, can keep you awake so you don't get the rest you need and this can affect your performance. They also decrease your appetite when you should be replacing calories after using so much energy. Side effects also include confusion, delirium and paranoia.
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Some users have experienced negative cognitive or psychological side effects to Ambien, such as: Memory loss. Difficulty concentrating. Disorientation to place or time.
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Too much melatonin can have the opposite effect of its intended purpose. It can make it harder to sleep because your normal circadian rhythms will be disrupted. An overdose can also leave you feeling groggy and sleepy during the day and give you nightmares or extremely vivid dreams at night.
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Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety medications, but they can increase drowsiness and help you sleep. While these drugs may be useful short-term, all benzodiazepines are potentially addictive and can cause problems with memory and attention.