Sleeping Pills Research Paper
Angeline
Ms. Rina
Chemistry D
6 March 2017
Chemistry Behind Sleeping Pills It is middle of the night and you are laying on the bed with eyelids shut, thinking about your day, your work, or your life. You roll around to find the perfect sleeping position. However, sleep will not come so you reach into the medication cabinet for a sleeping pill. A few minutes later, you slip into a restful sleep. There are nearly nine million people like you, who resort to the use of sleep medication, to fall asleep. On the surface, the sleeping pill may seem like the perfect cure for insomnia or any other types of sleeping disorder. Yet, it comes with significant risks and side effects. Sleeping pills, which are classified as sedative-hypnotics, are drugs that slow down the central nervous system (CNS). There are two distinct categories of sleeping pills: prescription and over-the–counter drugs. As the name itself implies, prescription sleeping aids require prescription and contain benzodiazepine, which is a type of CNS depressant, as the active ingredient. These prescribed sedatives are recommended for people suffering from insomnia, anxiety, and other types of sleep disorders. On the other hand, over-the-counter sleeping pills do not require prescription and contain antihistamines. Different CNS …show more content…
Furthermore, there are ways to cope with insomnia other than taking the pills. Sleeping pills should only be taken when prescribed by a medical professional. They should only serve as temporary band aids for trouble sleeping because they do not fix the sleeping problems. Focusing on “hygenic” habits – meaning that “avoiding napping, not eating or drinking caffeine or alcohol right before bed, establishing regular bed routines, and exercising” (Liao) – can help achieve better
Ms. Rina
Chemistry D
6 March 2017
Chemistry Behind Sleeping Pills It is middle of the night and you are laying on the bed with eyelids shut, thinking about your day, your work, or your life. You roll around to find the perfect sleeping position. However, sleep will not come so you reach into the medication cabinet for a sleeping pill. A few minutes later, you slip into a restful sleep. There are nearly nine million people like you, who resort to the use of sleep medication, to fall asleep. On the surface, the sleeping pill may seem like the perfect cure for insomnia or any other types of sleeping disorder. Yet, it comes with significant risks and side effects. Sleeping pills, which are classified as sedative-hypnotics, are drugs that slow down the central nervous system (CNS). There are two distinct categories of sleeping pills: prescription and over-the–counter drugs. As the name itself implies, prescription sleeping aids require prescription and contain benzodiazepine, which is a type of CNS depressant, as the active ingredient. These prescribed sedatives are recommended for people suffering from insomnia, anxiety, and other types of sleep disorders. On the other hand, over-the-counter sleeping pills do not require prescription and contain antihistamines. Different CNS …show more content…
Furthermore, there are ways to cope with insomnia other than taking the pills. Sleeping pills should only be taken when prescribed by a medical professional. They should only serve as temporary band aids for trouble sleeping because they do not fix the sleeping problems. Focusing on “hygenic” habits – meaning that “avoiding napping, not eating or drinking caffeine or alcohol right before bed, establishing regular bed routines, and exercising” (Liao) – can help achieve better