Are drowsy drugs healthy to use just for falling asleep?

[Philly]

Lately, I have had a little trouble getting to sleep at night. Part of this could be because I had a bit of stress, worrying about all the work I have to do and other things, and also partly because it usually takes me awhile to get to sleep. However, I started to have sleepless nights.

For AP week (last week), I started taking melatonin, a dietary supplement that makes you drowsy. It works and I can get a full night's sleep, and get to sleep faster than usual now. I also feel much better in the day than when I used to.

Now my question: Is this healthy? Should I be taking these kinds of drugs to fall asleep? Should I switch to something the doctors recommend? I was also considering stopping once everything settles down. Will I be able to do this without totally screwing myself up?

 

[Sage]

Well, I really think this is something to be asking a doctor and not people on the ’net.

With that said, while I don’t have anything to say about the supplements (except to only use them for what’s stated on the label), I can give you some tips on sleeping, since I also have a lot of trouble falling asleep (although chances are you probably know these):

1) Go to sleep at the same time each night. This way your body gets used to preparing for “powering down”.
2) Pick your bedtime when you’re typically on a “low” – for example, I get sleepy between 11PM and 1AM. If I stay up past 1AM though, then I’ll be wide awake and won’t be able to fall asleep again until about 3AM.
3) Don’t sleep in on weekends! A lot of people I know sleep an extra 3 or 4 hours on weekends compared to weekdays, and that just totally messes up your circadian rhythm. I try to never sleep more than an extra hour on weekends.

 

[G.T]

Sage's advice is all good. I know from experience now that staying up to 12pm 3am, and 2am three nights in a row very recently has completely screwed my sleeping pattern up. I've never happened to get up later than 11am in my life, but I did that the other day... I'm a person who needs their sleep, at least 6 hours of it.

The problem is, like Sage said, if you stay up too late, it takes longer to get to sleep.

I tend to wake up the same times on weekends too (or even a little earlier to enjoy what time I have off!), which makes things better.

 

[ExigeEvan]

All sound advice, and here's my little extra.

If you shower before going to bed, make sure you don't go to bed feeling hot. I always turn the temperature down when I'm coming to the end of my shower, certainly makes me more comfortable.

And make up a routine, no matter how small and petty it sounds. I lie on one side and get all my "thinking out the way" then as soon as I find my thoughts beginning to slip away I roll over, mind blank, and fall asleep. I suppose it's a small ritual I've made up.

[EDIT] Also, have you ever tried arometherapy style solutions? Personally I haven't so I can't recomend anything but I always here my mum and Auntie talking about it. "I tried rosemary last night, it was much bettr than lavender" "Ooooh, but I find you can't beat aloe vera"

 

[Barracuda]

I never have a problem with sleeping later on weekends. On weekends ill usually stay up until around 2 either because im really tired or boredom, then ill wake up between 10 and 12. After doing that for two days i easily go back to falling asleep between 11 and 12 and wake up at 5:30

I have the opposite problem, I can't stay awake. In math class ill tend to fall asleep for most of the class (I have four hour and a half classes), and wake up right when she gives us our homework assignment.

 

[Famine]

Warm milk + whisky = win.

 

[TuneRVisioN]

Yeah, when I tried to make a thread about my armpit, I then understood that people on this site are 99.9% game nerds. I now know that health problems should be consulted to your doctor, not a Gran Turismo based forum. I don't like medications, because they have so many side effects.

Headache, back pain, body aches, drowsyness, etc.

 

[Loon]

I'd say in the long run its probably going to be bad, if your taking stuff you don't need it for it can't be good in the end. I'd look on the net for sleep tricks and tips. Like what ExigeExcel said.

 

[Famine]

I don't like medications, because they have so many side effects.

Headache, back pain, body aches, drowsyness, etc.

You'd certainly hope that drowsiness would be an effect of tablets designed to make you sleep.

 

[Philly]

Well, I really think this is something to be asking a doctor and not people on the ’net.

With that said, while I don’t have anything to say about the supplements (except to only use them for what’s stated on the label), I can give you some tips on sleeping, since I also have a lot of trouble falling asleep (although chances are you probably know these):

1) Go to sleep at the same time each night. This way your body gets used to preparing for “powering down”.
2) Pick your bedtime when you’re typically on a “low” – for example, I get sleepy between 11PM and 1AM. If I stay up past 1AM though, then I’ll be wide awake and won’t be able to fall asleep again until about 3AM.
3) Don’t sleep in on weekends! A lot of people I know sleep an extra 3 or 4 hours on weekends compared to weekdays, and that just totally messes up your circadian rhythm. I try to never sleep more than an extra hour on weekends.

I'll rep ya on that one.

I figured I would ask you guys because you are all smart, getting advice doesn't seem that difficult, and because I figured there would be one of two of you on here with the same problem

I already do those three things. I usually try to fall asleep between 9 and ten every night. Sometimes I stay up to 10:30 and occasionally later, but I always try to be in bed by 10.

Falling asleep in a low could be an issue. Maybe I'm sleeping too much. I usually start to shut down at the time I go to bed, though.

I never sleep in. I am usually up by 8, always by 9 on weekends. On school mornings, I sometimes wake up about half an hour before I have to. Sleeping in has never been an issue.

All sound advice, and here's my little extra.

If you shower before going to bed, make sure you don't go to bed feeling hot. I always turn the temperature down when I'm coming to the end of my shower, certainly makes me more comfortable.

And make up a routine, no matter how small and petty it sounds. I lie on one side and get all my "thinking out the way" then as soon as I find my thoughts beginning to slip away I roll over, mind blank, and fall asleep. I suppose it's a small ritual I've made up.

[EDIT] Also, have you ever tried arometherapy style solutions? Personally I haven't so I can't recomend anything but I always here my mum and Auntie talking about it. "I tried rosemary last night, it was much bettr than lavender" "Ooooh, but I find you can't beat aloe vera"

I might try the showering thing. Falling asleep hot is often an issue for me.

I have a lot of trouble telling my brain not to think. I could ponder all night if I wanted to. When I tell it to blank out, it usually starts back up in a minute or two. Maybe I just have too much energy.

Never heared of aromatherapy. I think I would go to a doctor before resorting to that.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Never heared of aromatherapy. I think I would go to a doctor before resorting to that.

Aromatherapy has no harmful side effects except making your house/room smell weird!

My mum has this small candle holder that has a small dish above it. You place a small tea light in it and a few drop of whatever oil with some water in the dish. The candle heats the liquid causing it to evaporate slowly leaving a "lovely" smell around the house.


Do you drink coffee or tea or drink alot of coke? It's abit of an obvious question but worth asking.

 

[TuneRVisioN]

You'd certainly hope that drowsiness would be an effect of tablets designed to make you sleep.

I said medications, as in general.

 

[CDailey]

Listening to music makes me fall asleep quickly. Actually listen to it, don't just leave it in the background. I typically pick out a certain instrument (usually drums) and just try to follow the pattern in my head. By the third song, I'm out.

 

[Slick Rick]

Well those drugs that help you get to sleep are ok now and again but you dont really want to get used to using them because you may get it in your head that you have to take these pills to go to sleep and it may be even harder to fall asleep naturally. You just need to take your mind off whatever it is thats stopping you falling asleep. Like ITR said you could listen to some relaxing music, watch TV, play a game etc...Listening to podcasts or comedy shows KO's me. Cant be very good comedians im listening too then