Doctors Advise Against Sleeping Pills

It is amazing to read about the effects of a $60 million ad campaign can influence people to take a sleeping pill that has been clinically proven not to work any better than other sleeping pills. The inability to sleep, or "insomnia," affects 70 million Americans and physicians attempt to dissuade clients from taking the sleeping aids due to the potential side effects. Primarily, the reason for their dissuasion is habituation. Physicians are attempting to teach their patients to try alternate methods of sleep induction. "We encourage (insomniacs) to read something kind of boring, not a romance novel or a suspense novel," he said. "Teach yourself Latin. That should make you drowsy." No matter what the physicians tell their clients, sleeping pills remail popular for many Americans. However, many experts are teaching patients relaxation techniques while reminding patients they can't force themselves to sleep.

"People have to be reminded sleep is not an Olympic sport," Smolley said. "You can't turn your mind off like a computer, but you can turn your mind on to something relaxing. Think about walking on the beach, or walking in the woods. Enjoy this fantasy and allow yourself to go to sleep."