Sleep Medicines: Natural Remedies VS Over-the-Counter

If you have trouble sleeping and changing your habits is not enough you can switch to sleep aids. There are three main types of sleep aids – prescription, over-the-counter and natural. We will consider all three them, but focus mostly on over-the-counter and natural options to improve your sleep.

Over-the-counter prescription and over-the-counter sleeping pills

The types of sleep aids available in your area are over the counter or with a prescription from your doctor. There are pros and cons for each sleep aid, whether natural or not. It’s good to understand what each drug can do and help you decide what will work best for you.

Sleeping pills

First we have sleeping pills available by prescription. Benzodiazepines are a type of prescription drugs that help slow down your brain activity. These are usually given people with anxiety and other mental health conditions, but they can also help you relax the brain and helps you sleep better. These include drugs such as lorazepam, diazepam, triazolam and temazepam.

There are also over-the-counter sleeping pills such as eszopiclone and zolpidem, or names you may recognize from Lunesta and Ambien. These are good when your insomnia is caused by a short-term condition, such as an increase in your anxiety or as a result traumatic events. They are not intended for long-term use.

Your doctor may also recommend antidepressants, which can help with serotonin levels in your brain to promote a better night’s rest. Most antidepressants prescribed for insomnia are amitriptyline and trazodone.

Over-the-counter sleeping pills

These over-the-counter medications are great because they don’t require a prescription, but you should be careful of over use and dependence. Most over-the-counter sleep medications are some type of antihistamine or diphenhydramine. There is a medicated sleep system is often used for allergies, sinuses and colds. These drugs can including Benadryl, Advil PM, Unisom and Sominex.

These things are not recommended for a long time.

Natural sleep medicine

For something you can take a long time to continue, check out natural options. These are not hard on your body and can help with long-term sleep problems.

Melatonin is the first natural sleep aid you should consider is melatonin. It’s a hormone you have in your body that will help you decide when it’s time to sleep. Unfortunately for you may have a decrease in this hormone and need to take a melatonin supplement. It is really useful for those who want to sleep during the day or at different times each the date of the exchange process.

Magnesium. You can also try adding magnesium supplements into your daily routine. If you are not
get enough magnesium by eating natural foods, you may experience falls the quality of your sleep. There are different types of magnesium supplements you can take, and the powder that you add to your water.

Natural Herbs. If you are a fan of herbs and essential oils, there are a few that will help you feel better and get better sleep. Some of the best are lavender, rose, and chamomile.