Sleeping pill

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Sleeping pill

A Sleeping pill (pronunciation: /ˈsliːpɪŋ pɪl/) is a type of medication designed to help individuals who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep on their own.

Etymology

The term "sleeping pill" is derived from the English words "sleep," which means a condition of body and mind which typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the nervous system is inactive, the eyes closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended, and "pill," which is a small round mass of solid medicine for swallowing whole.

Types of Sleeping Pills

There are several types of sleeping pills, which are also called hypnotics. Some of the major types include:

Side Effects

Sleeping pills can have side effects, such as causing daytime grogginess and making you feel unwell. They can also cause dependence, meaning you may need to keep taking them to sleep, and withdrawal, meaning you may have trouble sleeping without them.

Related Terms

  • Insomnia: A sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep.
  • Sedative: A substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement.
  • Hypnotic: A drug that induces sleep.

External links

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