Side Effects Of Sleeping Pills

Unusual Dreams

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Unusual dreams are a common side effect of sleeping pills. Everyone dreams when they enter REM sleep, but everyone who wake up from 'dreamless' sleep typically just don't remember the dreams. Sleeping pills can affect dreams in a few different ways. First, dreams might become more vivid, and individuals may remember significantly more details upon waking. Second, dreams might become unusual, unnerving, or potentially even frightening. In most cases, unusual dreams aren't cause for concern. However, if they develop into nightmares that cause significant distress, patients may need to stop using their sleeping pill or switch to a different medication. Many individuals believe REM sleep is the only point at which they dream, but this isn't true. While REM sleep produces the most vivid dreams, individuals can have dreams during any sleep stage. According to researchers, the average person has four to six dreams during an eight-hour session of sleep. Research also shows dreaming and REM sleep are vital to physical and mental health.

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Appetite Changes

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Some individuals notice their appetite changes when they take sleeping pills. The reason for these changes hasn't been well-studied, and there may be several different causes of appetite shifts related to sleeping pills. One factor is sleeping pills can cause nausea and fatigue. When fatigued, patients are less likely to experience regular sensations of hunger. They may eat too much because they're trying to give their body energy, or too little because they don't realize they're hungry. Nausea and feelings of unwellness can cause individuals to avoid food for fear of exacerbating the condition. In addition, nausea can suppress feelings of hunger. Some patients who take sleeping pills report they eat too much. One of the most well-known effects is sleep eating, in which individuals put together and eat meals while completely asleep. This can be cause for concern, especially if the meal preparation involves using knives or turning on the stove.

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