Sleeping pills may increase the risk of death

ByDr. Daniel Thomas, DO, MS

Research recently published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, has found that people taking prescription sleeping medications are over 30% more likely to die from various causes vs. those not taking them. One theory suggested for this effect is that sleeping pills affect a person’s response times, alertness, and coordination. This can make them more prone to falls and other accidents. Another theory is that they interfere with breathing as the person sleeps. These medicines also work on the central nervous system, possibly increasing the risk of suicide. Dr. Genevieve Belleville, from Laval University’s School of Psychology in Canada, who led the study, said: “These medications aren’t candy, and taking them is far from harmless.”

Many cases of insomnia can be reversed by correcting a nighttime imbalance tween melatonin and cortisol. Please contact me for more information.

 

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