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"There are so many types of sleeping pills, I don't know what's what." "What effects do different sleeping pills have?" It's natural to have questions about sleeping pills, especially when you're just starting to take them. Indeed, there are many types, and they're not as familiar as cold medicines, so it can be confusing.
However, if you take sleeping pills without knowing their types, you won't get the appropriate effects. Furthermore, taking too much can lead to health problems.
This time, we will explain the types of sleeping pills and introduce their effects and precautions. Reading this article will help you understand what types of sleeping pills are available and allow you to take them with peace of mind!
1. What's the difference between sleeping pills and sleep aids?
Sleeping pills, sleep inducers, sleep aids—there are so many terms related to sleep medication that it can be confusing.
Let's try to simplify things. First, you can consider "sleeping pills" and "sleep inducers" to mean the same thing. While medication that helps you fall asleep quickly is sometimes called a sleep inducer, the active ingredients and fundamental nature of the drug are the same.
If someone takes a particular sleeping pill among many and falls asleep quickly, it could be said that it "induced sleep."
Since there can be individual differences, it can be said that there is no need to differentiate between these two terms.
If your doctor has prescribed medication for insomnia, you can consider it a "prescription for sleeping pills."
The expression "I take sleeping pills but not sleep inducers" feels a bit odd. Rather, the strength of the sleeping pill determines whether it induces sleep or maintains sleep.
On the other hand, sleep aids are over-the-counter medications available at pharmacies and drugstores. Their effects are weaker than prescription sleeping pills.
While they are sometimes said to promote more natural sleep, this can vary from person to person. Because their effects are milder, their immediate efficacy may be weaker compared to prescription sleeping pills.
It is sometimes said that they are less addictive, but that also varies from person to person. While there are different degrees of addiction, I have met people who say, "I can't sleep without taking this supplement," even for over-the-counter supplements.
In a sense, this person might be considered dependent on supplements.
2. Sleeping pills are broadly categorized into two types
Sleeping pills are broadly divided into two types: "medications that suppress overall brain activity" and "medications that regulate the secretion and transmission of internal substances thought to cause insomnia."
Currently, doctors often prescribe medications that suppress overall brain activity. The reason is that these drugs were developed earlier and have a longer history. As a result, they are still frequently prescribed in medical institutions.
In Western countries, these types of medications that suppress overall brain activity are referred to as "knockdown type" and their use has been cautioned against, leading to a decrease in their prescription.
2-1. Barbiturates: The first sleeping pills
Barbiturate sleeping pills were originally developed for use as anesthetics.
These were the first sleeping pills to appear. They are drugs that essentially sedate the central nervous system of the brain. Therefore, while they are powerful, they are so strong that if the dosage is slightly off, it can become dangerous, making them very difficult to handle.
Due to this background, they are rarely used as sleeping pills nowadays.
2-2. Benzodiazepines: Widely used sleeping pills in Japan
These are also what are known as "knockdown type" drugs.
Currently, these are perhaps the most commonly prescribed types of medication in Japan. Benzodiazepines work by acting on GABA, which helps suppress overexcitement in the brain's nerves.
They appeared in the 1930s and were initially developed to relieve anxiety. Their use as sleeping pills came later. Compared to barbiturates, they were considered safer and began to be used.
However, as benzodiazepine drugs became more widespread, issues of dependence began to be raised. It became common to hear people say, "I can't sleep without taking the medication."
Benzodiazepine drugs sedate the entire brain, so they do not address the underlying cause of insomnia.
There are also non-benzodiazepine drugs, developed to reduce the side effects of benzodiazepines. While side effects such as muscle relaxation and memory impairment are suppressed, the drug's action is almost the same as that of benzodiazepines.
3. New sleeping pills are continually being developed
The use of benzodiazepine sleeping pills is declining globally. The reason is dependency.
Many reports of physical dependence, where people cannot stop taking them once they start, have been reported and are being recognized as a problem. Amidst this, drugs that aim to create natural sleep by regulating the secretion and transmission of internal substances thought to cause insomnia have also been developed.
3-1. Sleeping pills that stimulate melatonin receptors
Melatonin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in circadian rhythms.
It's also known that melatonin secretion is suppressed by light stimulation. When melatonin is secreted, body temperature drops, and the body prepares for sleep.
Therefore, melatonin is sometimes called the "sleep hormone" or "hormone of sleep." Melatonin receptor agonists were developed with this in mind. They work by stimulating melatonin receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which controls biological rhythms, to promote melatonin neurotransmission.
A major difference from benzodiazepines is that side effects such as memory impairment and muscle relaxation are rare. Furthermore, there is no dependence even with long-term use.
In the United States, melatonin is sold over-the-counter as a supplement in drugstores. Regarding side effects, much is still unknown, but there are many indications that it may affect reproductive function, inflammation promotion, and cell proliferation when acting peripherally.
3-2. Sleeping pills that suppress orexin function
Sleeping pills that suppress orexin function are the newest type of sleeping pill. Orexin allows people to stay awake.
Therefore, these drugs, called orexin receptor antagonists, are designed to induce sleep by weakening the action of orexin.
Unlike benzodiazepines, they are not "knockdown type" drugs that reduce overall brain activity. The brain waves during sleep also become more natural. Regarding side effects, much is still unknown, but they are generally considered to have no addictive potential and high safety.
3-3. Sleep aids
Everything we have explained so far has been about sleeping pills that can only be taken with a doctor's prescription.
On the other hand, there are also over-the-counter medications available at pharmacies and drugstores. These products are labeled as sleep aids, and most of them are antihistamines.
Histamine is a substance that promotes wakefulness. Suppressing histamine receptors causes drowsiness as a side effect. Recently, supplements have also become available.
4. Beware of different types of sleeping pills! What to consider when using them
Sleeping pills cannot achieve their intended effects if not used correctly. Since they are typically prescribed in consultation with a doctor, there shouldn't be too much to worry about, but it's always good to be aware of the precautions regarding the sleeping pills you're taking.
Let's explain what to pay attention to.
4-1. As a major premise, consult with a doctor who has specialized knowledge.
As a major premise, it is important to consult thoroughly with a doctor when using sleeping pills.
While you can choose sleeping pills yourself, always consult with a doctor. By proceeding with treatment in consultation, you can confront the medication and sometimes even become able to sleep without using sleeping pills.
Actively asking questions and regularly reporting changes in your sleep situation will make it easier for your doctor to make informed decisions.
4-2. Understand the side effects of sleeping pills as well.
Side effects vary depending on the sleeping pill. Be sure to ask what type of sleeping pill is being prescribed and what its side effects are.
Knowing the side effects will allow you to be more careful about your actions after taking the medication.
Also, knowing about the presence or absence of residual effects will prevent you from confusing them with things like a cold.
Your doctor should explain this when prescribing, so taking notes is recommended.
4-3. Don't take them casually; acquire proper knowledge.
Just because sleeping pills make it easy to sleep doesn't mean it's good to take them excessively.
What is the underlying cause of your sleeplessness? After understanding if other illnesses are involved, it is ideal to use sleeping pills only when suggested by a doctor.
If another illness is the cause, it's important to visit a medical institution and prioritize treatment for that coexisting condition if necessary.
Don't take sleeping pills immediately; acquire proper knowledge about when to take them. Of course, the most important thing is to ultimately confirm with your doctor.
Summary: Understand the risks of sleeping pills before using them
While sleeping pills can help you transition smoothly into sleep, they also carry risks such as side effects and dependence.
We often hear people say they tend to reach for them when they can't sleep, but they should not be used casually.
Let's summarize this article:
- Sleeping pills are mainly of two types: "barbiturates" and "benzodiazepines."
- Sleeping pills are convenient, but they carry risks such as dependence.
- When using sleeping pills, always follow the prescribed dosage and instructions.
- When using sleeping pills, always consult with a doctor first!
The development of sleeping pills has advanced, and less burdensome options are now available. However, knowledge about sleeping pills is generally still not widespread. While they are convenient, improper use can lead to significant risks, so be sure to consult thoroughly with your doctor before using them.
