Previous clinical studies of sedatives such as Ambien (Zolpidem) compared with placebo found that symptoms of insomnia are weakened even when patients do not receive real treatment.
Researchers examined 13 studies in which patients received a placebo and considered it to be a real remedy. The analysis showed that unlike participants who did not receive any treatment at all, people who received placebo (who believed that they were given real medicines) said that they began to fall asleep better, they rest more, and their quality of sleep improved.
It is not exactly clear why placebo can help some people feel more rested, but probably the very fact of taking a placebo pill reduces anxiety, which impedes to sleep.
The results of the work show that, in the final analysis, insomnia is a perception disorder. For example, a person who sleeps only four hours a day may not meet the criteria of a patient with insomnia if he (she) does not feel that lack of sleep negatively affects his (her) mood, cognitive abilities or behavior. Conversely, a person who usually sleeps seven hours a day can be considered a sleepless person if he (she) feels that the amount or quality of sleep is unsatisfactory, and also says that lack of sleep affects his (her) daily life at work and at home.
People who choose a natural way of treatment may be attracted by the homeopathy (it is when natural products are used). Indeed, as you rush on to the Internet, you will find numerous websites selling “all natural” products to treat all illnesses. Remembering the placebo effect, you really may find these products effective if you strongly believe that they work. Researchers who have studied the phenomenon established changes in brain waves. This is a form of self-hypnosis where a person feels getting better. However, the Federal Trade Commission considers these drugs as “credence products”.
Before you surf the net to buy expensive “all natural” substances to treat insomnia, there is a free treatment with a scientific evidence to demonstrate it works. This is relaxation and meditation therapies. Instead of taking Ambien or any sleeping pills every night, which, by the way, will ensure a good sleep, it would be better for you to learn how to reduce the stress in your life or meditate. Yes, it’s better first to try to achieve relaxation, then you will find you are able to sleep naturally. But if you do not believe in this, you must buy Ambien. All the trials show this sleep-inducing drug is consistently effective and do not cause many side effects which other analog drugs sometimes do. It is chemically induced, so taking Ambien is a form of involuntary sleep.
