Sleep disorders have brewed up a storm in the lives of overworked individuals because of high stress and anxiety levels. This has increased the use of drugs that are prescribed to treat insomnia or other sleep disorders. Ambien is one of the medicated sleep drugs that is often prescribed to help people get over their sleep-related conditions.
Ambien is a sedative that goes by the generic name zolpidem. It is usually prescribed by doctors to treat insomnia which is a condition in which the patient cannot sleep throughout the night. Lack of sleep can cause a host of problems which is why most people turn to sleep aids to enhance the quality of their sleep.
Although Ambien can prove effective and make you fall asleep and remain asleep for a few hours, it is not intended for long-term use. People who take Ambien should not make it a regular habit as sleep medicines cause a lot of side effects in the human body. The extent of side effects depends from person to person but the presence of side effects is inevitable.
Hence, Ambien should be your last option for inducing sleep and you should have your doctor’s approval before taking this medicine. This is why you should have every possible information about Ambien so that you can know the pros and cons of switching to sleep aids to improve your sleep quality. Here is an all-inclusive guide on Ambien and its natural alternatives.
How Does Ambien Work?
Ambien is considered a hypnotic medication because of its ability to make you fall asleep. This prescription sleep aid alters chemicals in your brain that result in poor sleep. The components of Ambien can interfere with the neurochemistry of your brain and support balance to help people overcome sleep problems.
This prescription drug also promotes calmness and relaxation to make you fall asleep easily. It acts as a sedative that induces sleep even if you are under a lot of stress. It slows down activity in your brain and makes you less active so that you attain slumber without any difficulty.
Ambien is available in two different forms that have short-term and long-term release styles. In the short-term version, you take an immediate-release tablet that starts to work right away by releasing all chemicals and altering brain activity. If you are taking this form just 30 minutes before your sleep time, you can benefit from it.
In the long-term version, you take an extended-release tablet that works in two layers. The first layer dissolves in your body instantly to help you fall asleep. And the second layer dissolves slowly to help you remain asleep. If you want peaceful sleep all night long, you can choose the long-acting version of Ambien.
What Are The Side Effects Of Ambien?
Ambien may be effective for your sleep but it is not effective for your health. It is a prescription drug that is linked to potential side effects. Sometimes, it affects your brain so dangerously that you might not be able to drive properly. It can lead you to fall asleep while driving and you won’t even realize it.
Increased use of Ambien can make you addicted to it. You won’t feel the need to readjust your sleep cycle or environment and simply rely on this prescription drug to make you fall asleep. If you stop using Ambien after prolonged use, you might experience withdrawal symptoms.
Whether short-term or long-term, Ambien can create major problems in your body. It can cause headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, forgetfulness, confusion, and memory problems. Ambien can also create changes in behavior, heart rate, appetite, and other vital body functions.
You should consult your doctor before taking Ambien and not take it for more than 2 weeks at a stretch. Instead, you should practice sleep hygiene and optimize your environment so that you can gain a better quality of sleep every night. You can start by reducing your blue light exposure and practicing meditation to promote calmness.
What Are The Natural Alternatives To Ambien?
Given the concerns associated with the prolonged use of Ambien, you should focus on lifestyle changes to adjust your sleep patterns. If you are unable to optimize your sleep quality, you should take natural alternatives to Ambien. We looked for some holistic alternatives to Ambien and found two great supplements.
Here are the recommended Ambien substitutes that you should take to improve the quality of your sleep.
NooCube Sleep Upgrade
This dietary supplement is an easy way for you to get more sleep. NooCube Sleep Upgrade uses a relaxing herbal blend so that you can finally get the sleep of your dreams. It is a natural supplement that has been crafted to align your body’s natural sleep systems so that they work together to help you get restful sleep.
NooCube Sleep Upgrade is ideal for night shift workers who don’t have a definite sleep cycle. People experiencing the aftermath of jet lag can also use this supplement to get their normal sleep back.
You should take Sleep Upgrade 20-30 minutes before your bedtime and lay down for sleep as soon as you start feeling drowsy. This supplement will help you wake up feeling refreshed and full of energy.
NooCube Sleep Upgrade Highlights
It is a safe supplement that contains clinically-approved ingredients which are extracted from trusted sources. Sleep Upgrade is produced in a GMP-certified facility in the USA and offers free worldwide delivery. All the ingredients in this supplement are scientifically proven to induce better quality sleep.
NooCube Sleep Upgrade is a melatonin-free formula that is vegan-friendly and non-habit-forming. This supplement begins to induce effects in as little as 7 days but you need 90 days to experience its full results. It can inculcate healthy sleeping habits and eliminate morning grogginess from your life.
Benefits Of Sleep Upgrade
NooCube Sleep Upgrade is your bedtime pal that can help you get peaceful and deep sleep so that you wake up well-rested. This dietary supplement helps you get the necessary 7-9 hours of sleep so that you can perform well in every sphere of life.
The top benefits of Sleep Upgrade include immunity boost, muscle repair, high energy levels, healthy metabolism, and mental clarity. It can help you experience better brain function by improving your learning, focus, and attention span. Sleep Upgrade can significantly increase calmness and lower insomnia.
How Is Sleep Upgrade Better Than Ambien?
Sleep Upgrade uses a botanical blend that is non-addictive. Unlike Ambien, the formula of Sleep Upgrade does not feed you with harmful side effects. The natural ingredients used in Sleep Upgrade are free from allergens and chemicals that are safe for your body.
The best feature of Sleep Upgrade is that it lets you sleep without delivering melatonin. It is found in several prescription drugs and is actually a hormone that can result in hormonal imbalances and further dependence on melatonin supplements. This is no different than you relying on Ambien for improved sleep.
You don’t need a prescription to acquire NooCube Sleep Upgrade. If you want, you can consult your healthcare provider before using this dietary supplement.
More: NooCube Sleep Upgrade Reviews
Sleep Support Plus
This is another natural alternative to Ambien that can provide you with the same benefits without causing any side effects. Sleep Support Plus features a relaxing and calming blend of herbal ingredients to ease activities in your brain so that you can fall asleep easily. It can provide extensive support for sleeplessness by correcting your sleep cycle.
Sleep Support Plus uses a blend of modern and traditional ingredients to promote sleep neurotransmitters and enhance your mood. This supplement can destress you and optimize your brain waves to follow a sustainable sleep cycle.
Sleep Support Plus Highlights
Sleep Support Plus is an entirely natural supplement that is made using vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbal extracts. This supplement is vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and gluten-free and is manufactured in an FDA-registered facility that follows cGMP guidelines. You get the goodness of ancient herbs and modern-day ingredients in one formula of Sleep Support Plus.
The proprietary blend of sleep-boosting ingredients in this supplement can put your mind at ease and ready it for quality sleep. There are many Sleep Support Plus reviews online where users have shared getting a better quality of sleep after using this supplement.
Benefits Of Sleep Support Plus
This dietary supplement supports feelings of relaxation by helping you enter a healthy sleep cycle. You can sleep peacefully for the whole night and face negligible disturbances in the middle of your sleep. It can support hormonal balance and elevate your mood levels so that you remain calm and relaxed before your bedtime.
Additionally, Sleep Support Plus also supports other functions in your body. It can boost your immunity and strengthen your cardiovascular system. This supplement delivers essential nutrients and antioxidants to your body that can provide you with cognitive health benefits. When you remain calm and relaxed, your stress levels go down significantly.
How Is Sleep Support Plus Better Than Ambien?
The formula of Sleep Support Plus has been designed without the use of chemicals, toxins, allergens, or other substances that can harm your body or cause side effects. This supplement is made in regulated facilities under strict supervision to uphold the highest quality standards. As opposed to Ambien, there are no major side effects associated with Sleep Support Plus.
This supplement aims to increase the production of melatonin naturally in your body with the help of herbal ingredients like chamomile and lemon balm. It can provide you relief from sleeplessness and boost calmness without altering your brain activity.
More: Sleep Support Plus Reviews
Common Ingredients In The Best Ambien Alternatives and Their Clinical Supporting
Here’s a look at the top three effective ingredients often incorporated in the best Ambien alternatives:
L-Theanine
L-theanine works by increasing the production of alpha brain waves, which are associated with a state of calmness and relaxation. By promoting the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, It helps to regulate mood and reduce stress, leading to improved sleep quality.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Shizuoka in Japan explored the effects of its supplementation on sleep quality. The results showed that the group receiving L-theanine experienced a significant improvement in sleep quality, with 65% of participants reporting better sleep compared to only 30% in the placebo group.
Additionally, the L-theanine group reported a decrease in sleep latency, the time it takes to fall asleep, by an average of 26%.
Chamomile
Chamomile contains compounds such as apigenin, bisabolol, and flavonoids, which have been found to promote relaxation and sleep. These compounds interact with receptors in the brain, specifically the GABA receptors, which are responsible for reducing brain activity and inducing a state of calmness and tranquility.
A clinical trial found that a group taking chamomile extract experienced significant improvements in sleep quality. Objective measures, such as sleep duration and efficiency, were assessed using polysomnography, a technique that records brain activity, eye movements, and muscle activity during sleep.
The chamomile group showed a 35% increase in total sleep time and a 28% improvement in sleep efficiency, indicating a higher quality of sleep.
Melatonin
Melatonin is essential for regulating the circadian rhythm and promoting deep, restful sleep. Also known as the sleep hormone, melatonin works on the circadian rhythm since it is the internal clock that controls our sleep-wake cycle, alertness levels, and various physiological processes throughout the day.
Melatonin is naturally produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness and helps signal the body that it’s time to sleep. However, low levels of melatonin can lead to sleeplessness which is why many supplements often incorporate it as an ingredient in the supplements.
Scientific studies have consistently shown the effectiveness of melatonin in improving sleep quality and duration. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, it was found that melatonin supplementation significantly increased sleep efficiency by 11% compared to the placebo group.
Related: Eight Sleep Review
What Lifestyle Interventions Can You Follow To Improve Your Sleep Hygiene?
By following certain lifestyle interventions, you can improve your sleep hygiene and ensure a good night’s sleep. Let’s explore these interventions in detail, incorporating advanced scientific terms to enhance our understanding.
Keep A Consistent Sleep Schedule
Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is crucial for regulating your body’s internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm. This rhythm controls various physiological processes, including sleep and wakefulness. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, helps synchronize your circadian rhythm and promote better sleep.
Research has shown that irregular sleep patterns disrupt the circadian rhythm, leading to difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep.
When you consistently follow a sleep schedule, your body becomes accustomed to a specific sleep-wake cycle, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up naturally. Consistency is key in training your body to recognize the appropriate times for rest and wakefulness.
Create A Relaxing Bedtime Routine Before Sleeping
A bedtime routine serves as a signal to sleep. Engaging in relaxing activities makes it easier to fall asleep faster.
One effective relaxation technique is reading a book. Reading can distract your mind from daily stressors and immerse you in a different world, easing tension and promoting relaxation.
Another option is taking a warm bath, as the rise and subsequent drop in body temperature can induce drowsiness. Additionally, listening to soothing music can help alleviate anxiety and promote relaxation.
Light stretches before bed can also be beneficial. Gentle stretching helps release muscle tension and promotes a sense of physical relaxation.
Pay attention to what you eat and drink:
The foods and beverages we consume can significantly impact our sleep quality. Avoiding large meals close to bedtime is crucial as it can lead to discomfort and indigestion, making it harder to fall asleep.
Create A Restful Environment
The environment in which we sleep plays a crucial role in determining sleep quality. A restful environment should be dark, quiet, and cool. Darkness promotes the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles.
Limit Daytime Naps
While daytime napping can provide a quick energy boost, excessive or long naps can interfere with nighttime sleep.
Long naps can disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to fall asleep at night. It is recommended to limit daytime naps to 20-30 minutes and avoid napping too close to bedtime.
Summing Up
Ambien might be useful in inducing sleep but like other prescription sleep aids, it is plagued with side effects. You might get relief from insomnia temporarily but you will come face-to-face with other lifestyle problems.
Hence, you should be aware of what’s good for your body and choose natural and safer alternatives to Ambien to protect your body from side effects.
Also Read: Top Ashwagandha Product Brands on the Market
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