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@ The Modern Sovereign
2025-05-20 14:48:44
Are Sleeping Pills Putting Your Health at Risk?
A landmark study by Dr. Daniel F. Kripke and colleagues sparked serious concerns about the safety of common sleeping pills. Published in 2012 in the journal BMJ Open, the study followed over 10,000 patients and found that those who used prescription sleep aids—including popular drugs like zolpidem (Ambien) and temazepam—had significantly higher risks of death, cancer, and infections compared to non-users.
Key findings:
- Even occasional use (less than 18 pills per year) was associated with a 3.6 times higher risk of death.
- Regular users faced a greater than 35% increased risk of developing cancer.
- The study also noted increased vulnerability to infections, possibly due to immune system suppression.
While the research was observational and doesn’t prove causation, the results raise critical questions about the long-term safety of sleep medications.
What can you do?
- Explore safer alternatives like cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).
- Practice good sleep hygiene—limit screens before bed, maintain a regular sleep schedule, and create a calm sleep environment.
Kripke’s work remains a wake-up call: sometimes the quick fix comes with hidden costs. #WhyWeSleep https://image.nostr.build/6dc788e47a10398187d5775fcd23799180605e5b9a83b59cdbbf385f96a07048.jpg