Ambien, otherwise prescribed as zolpidem, is one of the top five psychiatric drugs people are taking in the U.S, according to JAMA Internal Medicine, reports Women’s Health.
That shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, considering that one in three Americans doesn’t get enough sleep, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ambien basically slows down your brain to initiate sleep—sometimes as quickly as within 20 minutes, says Jocelyn Cheng, M.D., a neurologist at NYU Langone Health.
But Ambien is not meant to be a chronic solution to sleeplessness. “It’s meant to be used in a temporary setting: if there’s some sort of abrupt stressor or a change in someone’s schedule that’s making them experience insomnia or difficulty falling asleep,” explains Cheng.
This article leaves the impression that REM sleep is a deep sleep. However, this is not the case. REM sleep is a period when the brain is very active, and it quite easy to be awakened during REM sleep. Your muscle tone is more relaxed during REM, however. It is a period when most dreams that you remember occurred. Most of the deep sleep occurs during the first one third to first half of the night, but it is what we call non-REM sleep, or slow-wave sleep. Generally, people go through the first REM period at about 90 minutes into their sleep. The first REM period is usually short. Then we go through another REM period about every two hours or so, and they tend to lengthen toward the end of sleep. It is not unusual to awaken from REM, so I just don’t think this article portrays REM sleep as what it actually is. It seems to be a common misconception that REM sleep is a deep sleep, when it is actually just the opposite.
Been diagnosed with RBD 3 years ago. Can’t find a Medication to take for RBD and for this depression. Woundering if u guys gphad any ideas Having to take stimulants during the day
Has been a lifesaver for me. Never could fall asleep due to husband snoring. Now I take 5 mg. and in about 30 minutes I’m asleep for 6 hours straight. It doesn’t work if I eat food within 2 hours of taking. Lunesta gave me nightmares, and Rozeram didn’t work at all.
I could not agree with you more,Mel!!! I am an RPSGT and RST as well!!
Patients always think that when they dream this is their deepest sleep. In a sense, it is but it is only the deepest sleep as far as muscle atonia goes.
It is a very active stage of sleep and one that can work the heart and make blood pressure rise! You know all of the other things that dreaming or the dream state can do to one’s body.
How long have you been into sleep? I have been doing this for 14 years now! I still love it!
JMilton…….ust wondering, do you have Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s in your family?
When women and men are given the same dose of this medicine, the zolpidem level in the blood of women is higher than that of men. The drug also stays longer in the blood of women. The recommended dose of zolpidem for adults is 5 mg for women and 5 to 10 mg for men. When used to treat sleep disorders, this medication should be taken just before bedtime. Zolpidem can cause addiction and should be taken exactly as directed by the doctor. Typically, this medication should not be taken more than 7 to 10 consecutive days.