Contents
1. Sleeping pills
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is found in the central nervous system, inhibits brain activity. The task of any sleeping pill is either to enhance the effect of GABA on neurons, or to increase its amount in the nervous system.
2. Barbiturates
The barbiturate was created long before the existence of GABA became known (which happened in 1953). Veronal was one of the first drugs.
Barbiturate drugs work in the same way as other hypnotics, but they also have anticonvulsant and relaxing effects. As a result, these drugs have very strong side effects. And with prolonged use, the REM sleep phase is shortened. In addition, such drugs are addictive as early as the second week of use. That is why today barbiturates are practically not used as sleeping pills.
3. Benzodiazepines
In the 60s of the twentieth century, a new generation of hypnotics appeared – benzodiazepines. They also work on GABA, but have fewer side effects. However, they are addictive and, moreover, with prolonged use, it becomes necessary to increase the dose. Severe waking up and daytime sleepiness in many have completely discouraged the use of these drugs.
4. Selective drugs
A new generation of sleeping pills – selective drugs. These are derivatives of imidazoperidine (ivadal) and cyclopirrolone (imovan). Among the undoubted advantages is the minimum number of side effects. But the most remarkable thing is that such funds are able not only to induce yawning and carry Morpheus into the arms, but also to establish the natural distribution of sleep phases. True, this is not a panacea – with prolonged use, there is still a danger of developing addiction.
5. Antihistamines
Histamine is one of the most important receptors for our wakefulness. Drugs that block histamine receptors (that is, neurons that are excited by histamine) are prescribed for allergies. And sleep is just a side effect. However, in some drugs, such as diphenhydramine, pipolfen, donormil it is so strong that the drugs are considered common sleeping pills. However, modern allergy sufferers can breathe easy, antihistamines without sleeping pills have been invented for them.
6. Melatonin
Melatonin is a neurohormone. At night, our body produces about 70% of its daily dose. Melatonin somehow regulates the rhythms of sleep and wakefulness, in particular, it affects the increase in the amount of GABA in the nervous system. As a sleeping pill, this medicine is considered to be mild, and it is prescribed for minor sleep disturbances.
See also: dream book.