The most important thing if you use sleeping pills is that they're not safe. Even your medical expert will warn you about the risks of taking them. Therefore, you should use them cautiously if you have to. This is because it's still possible for a person to become addicted to sleeping pills over time. Here are five ways taking sleeping pills can affect your long-term health.

1. High Risk Of Cancer

A study that was published in 2017 found that people who take sleeping pills are at a higher risk of developing cancer than those who don't. The study looked at the medical records of more than 2,500 people and found that those who took sleeping pills were at least twice as likely to develop cancer compared to those who didn't.

The researchers also concluded that taking longer-acting forms of benzodiazepine drugs like temazepam and diazepam increased your risk for cancer even more than short-acting ones like zolpidem. This makes sense when you consider how these drugs work. They disrupt the natural circadian rhythm, which regulates hormones involved in cell growth and damage repair.

2. Memory Problems

One of the most common side effects of sleeping pills is memory loss. The good news is that this can be controlled through treatment and support. However, the whole process can take time to manifest results.

If you're taking sleeping pills and experiencing memory problems, you may be at risk for mental complications unless you stop before it's too late. Mental status refers to how your cognitive functions are working, like learning, attention, and language skills. Consider seeking sleeping pill addiction treatment if you experience signs and symptoms of memory issues from taking sleeping pills often.

3. Sleeping Pill Addiction

While sleeping pills can effectively treat short-term insomnia, they can also be addictive. When you take a sleeping pill every night for an extended period, your body builds up a tolerance to the medication, and then you need more pills to achieve the same effect. This is called physical dependence on a drug.

The risk of addiction becomes exceptionally high when people continue to use sleeping pills after their underlying insomnia has passed or because they have switched from one kind of sleep aid. In other words, if you rely on OTC or prescription drugs as part of your daily routine even after you’re rested, then that might be a problem.

4. Depression

Depression is one of the most common side effects of sleeping pills. If you have been diagnosed with depression and are taking a sedative-hypnotic drug like Ambien, you should talk to your doctor about whether it's okay for you to keep taking it.

The FDA advises that people with depression, or a history of depression, should not take zolpidem. Depression can be treated with medication and therapy, so if you're experiencing symptoms of depression while on these medications. Some symptoms include feelings of hopelessness or sadness that interfere with daily life. In that case, it's essential to see a doctor right away. If left untreated, depression can cause serious issues like suicide attempts and substance abuse problems. This adds another reason why regular visits to the doctor are crucial for anyone who takes sleeping pills.

5. Withdrawal

While you may be able to stop taking sleeping pills without experiencing any adverse effects, withdrawal is a real risk. As your body begins to adjust to the absence of this substance, you may notice some mild symptoms that can be alleviated by using other methods of calming yourself down at night. If you want to avoid these side effects, you must consult your doctor before discontinuing their use.

To effectively stop sleeping pills, you should do a few things. First and foremost, make sure you speak with your doctor about doing so before making the decision. If they agree that it's safe for you to discontinue their use, they can help you decide on a plan of action to help your body adjust as quickly as possible. It may also be beneficial if someone in your household is aware of this decision so they can assist with any issues arising during the process.

Conclusion

While sleeping pills are an excellent short-term solution for those who have trouble getting enough sleep, there are far safer and healthier ways to deal with insomnia. If you take sleeping pills every night or more than once a week, it's time to talk with your doctor about other treatments available.