Sleep Aids and What They Are For

Things to consider with sleep aids 

Before considering taking medication or seeking treatment, it is critical to alleviate all factors that could be disrupting your sleep. Sometimes it could be a simple fix, like environmental factors or diet - perhaps your body is not at the right temperature, or you are consuming too much caffeine prior to bedtime. It’s important to rule out all potential avenues before seeking medical advice.  

If you are at all concerned about your sleeping pattern, a detailed discussion with a healthcare practitioner can assist you in determining the next steps. 

How to determine the right sleep aid 

There are a number of sleep aids and all can be used differently - various sleep aids may assist you in falling asleep faster, reducing overnight awakenings, or sleeping for longer periods of time. To limit the risk of side effects, experts advise taking the smallest amount feasible. Your doctor will also consider whether you have a sleep issue that can be treated with a specific type of sleep aid. 

Whilst most experts agree that sleep aids should not be used long-term, there are numerous over-the-counter sleeping pills that are considered safe to use. Some of these include: benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine, orexin receptor antagonists, antidepressants, barbiturates, and melatonin. 

How effective are natural sleep aids? 

You may have heard of using homoeopathic or natural remedies to combat sleeping problems. Some of these include valerian root, passionflower, lemon balm and magnesium products. These supplements can be found in certain teas, oils and supplements.  

Are natural sleep aids safe for adults? 

Many natural sleep treatments have few negative effects when used properly by healthy adults, and whilst natural sleep aids are not considered universally safe or harmful for adults, this does not mean that all-natural sleep aids are safe. 

Women and the elderly tend to metabolise drugs at a slower rate, necessitating smaller doses. Because there is limited information on the effects of sleep aids on pregnant or breastfeeding women, it is generally advised that pregnant women avoid taking them altogether.  

Are natural sleep aids safe for children? 

In comparison to adults, there isn't enough research on sleep aids in children to safely assess their safety or effectiveness. Some natural sleep aids, on the other hand, are safe for children to use. 

Doctors will most likely recommend that children take the sleep medicine for a short period of time – days or months – in conjunction with behavioural techniques to help your child change their sleeping habits. When used in conjunction with sleep medications, behaviour methods can help children sleep better even after they stop treatment. Other modifications can sometimes be made to help your child sleep better - these include: 

• Establishing better
• Caffeine-containing foods and beverages should be avoided.
• Reducing screen time before bedtime. 

A better night’s sleep with Sleep Science by Emma

At Sleep Science we believe everyone deserves a good night’s sleep, we provide a number of resources to help you build a healthy sleep pattern that will allow you to have a better, more restful night's sleep. We are passionate about giving you as many sleep-related resources as possible - our sleep wellness resources have more information about sleep disorders and topics that can assist you in adopting a healthy routine.  

Another important component of getting a good night's sleep and maintaining a healthy bedtime routine is having the proper mattress protection - check out our most current mattress reviews to see whether you need to update your mattress. 

Glossary  

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27998379/