How to Beat Insomnia Without a Prescription

Insomnia and sleeplessness, in general, are a growing issue all around the world, with more and more people struggling to get the recommended amount of sleep per night on a consistent basis. This can make you easily agitated the next day and also lead to reduced alertness the next day, making it difficult to carry out simple tasks, such as driving, studying, or your job.

Sleep deficiency, in the long run, can contribute to the development of a variety of ailments and can hinder the growth and development of kids.

Therefore, it is easy to see why getting enough shuteye every night is of paramount importance, both for our physical and mental wellbeing.

Should I Take Prescription Drugs?

Most Americans who seek out treatment to tackle their insomnia end up taking prescription drugs to help them fall and stay asleep for the recommended amount of time (doctors' general guidance range is 7 to 9 hours for adults.)

Some of the most prescribed drugs doctors recommend to help people overcome insomnia include Sonata, Ambien, and Lunesta, and there are other drugs called Benzodiazepines, such as Restoril and Valium, which can be taken for the same purpose.

In addition to helping people battling insomnia fall asleep, Valium can also help fight off nightmares (which themselves can reduce one's quality of sleep, as many people struggle to fall asleep again after waking up from a night terror) and tackle sleepwalking.

Antihistamines, many of which can be bought without a prescription, are sometimes taken solely for their sedative effects to help patients fall asleep. Of all the antihistamines, Benadryl is probably the most popular product in the US.

However, although there are many different conventional prescription and non-prescription drugs out there to help you tackle insomnia, they all come with potential side effects, such as significant appetite changes and even uncontrollable shaking.

Furthermore, in many cases, you are likely to build up a tolerance over time, meaning an increasingly higher dose is needed to yield the same effect, which is far from ideal.

Is There a Better Alternative For Me?

The short answer is yes. There are many lifestyle changes you can implement, which are likely to improve your ability to fall asleep and also noticeably improve the quality of your slumber.

Cutting out caffeine completely – or at least avoiding it in the several hours before you plan on sleeping – can be a very effective way to help you fall asleep, as caffeine is a stimulant which stays in the body for many hours after being consumed.

Drinking plenty of water every day (at least two liters) and maintaining a fixed sleep regiment are also recommended ways that can help you fall asleep more easily in the long term. Power naps of up to 20 minutes are fine. They can actually be a great way to rest your body and mind during the day. Still, anything longer is likely to disrupt your sleeping pattern and is, therefore, a big no-no.

Finally, medical cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) have been reported to help tackle sleeping troubles in adults. They are both cannabinoids, which can be legally purchased throughout the United States.

Once they enter the body, they interact with the endocannabinoid system to influence the production of various hormones, such as important sleep hormones, and also affect receptors in the body. Additionally, they can help patients fall asleep by tackling underlying issues, such as anxiety and stress, and by relaxing the body's muscles (which is a very important part of the process of falling asleep.)

A Quick Summary

- Sleeplessness is a growing issue across the world, with more and more people struggling to get sufficient shuteye every night.

- This can have short-term and long-term health implications, including grogginess, reduced alertness, and increased risk of developing chronic illnesses.

- There are many prescription medications available that can be taken for insomnia. Still, they have many potential side effects, and you are likely to build a tolerance to them over time.

- Other ways to tackle sleeplessness include lifestyle changes, such as drinking more water and maintaining a fixed sleep regiment and considering alternative forms of medication, such as legal hemp-derived cannabinoids.