Sleeping pills ineffective in the long term, study suggests

16th Aug 2012


Many people who suffer from severe insomnia are advised to take sleeping pills to help them get rest.

However, a recent study from Flinders University in Adelaide suggests that medication like this may not be the solution.

According to professor Leon Lack, people can develop an unhealthy dependence on these pills and therefore revert back to old patterns as soon as they stop taking them.

"Sleeping tablets provide short-term relief but when people stop taking them they might have a few bad nights and think they can't sleep without taking the drug," he said in a university blog post on August 9.

"Effectively you buy a bit of sleep on your credit card but then you have to pay it back later, sometimes with interest, so in the long-term you don't gain anything you just offset the insomnia," he added.

These findings suggest that insomniacs should take a holistic approach to treating the condition rather than just reach for medication.

Professor Lack advised people to try and understand their sleep patterns better, and to try not to feel so anxious when they can't drift off.

"If you don’t fall asleep within 15 minutes of going to bed then get up, don't lie there awake because that associates the bedroom with frustration and anxiety," he said.

That said, it is important that insomniacs speak to their doctor and find a suitable course of treatment.

In some cases, lavender oil may temporarily ease stress and tension and help you fall asleep.

Try massaging a small amount of the diluted oil into your temples when you are lying in bed.



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