ZzzQuil is an over-the-counter medication utilized most frequently to enhance sleep quality among individuals with allergies or the “common cold.” However, because ZzzQuil is a potent sleep aid, individuals without health problems sometimes use the medication to help manage insomnia. On occasion, ZzzQuil is even administered for the treatment of motion sickness and extrapyramidal symptoms …
Gabapentin, sold under the brand name “Neurontin,” is a drug that was first approved by the United States FDA in 1993 as an adjunct treatment for partial seizures in adults. Thereafter, gabapentin’s indication as a treatment for partial seizures would be extended in 2000 to pediatrics, and subsequently, it would receive FDA approval for the …
Unisom (doxylamine succinate) is a first-generation antihistamine available as an over-the-counter medication in the United States. It is commonly used as a sleep aid (to combat insomnia), an antiallergenic (to reduce severe allergies), and sometimes to treat symptoms of the common cold. The pharmacological ingredient within Unisom, known as “doxylamine,” functions predominantly via antagonism of H1 …
Ambien (Zolpidem) is a popular medication prescribed for the treatment of insomnia. It is classified as a “nonbenzodiazepine” due to the fact that it shares a similar mechanism of action with benzodiazepines, but differs in its chemical structure. Ambien delivers its sedative, hypnotic (sleep-inducing) effects by modulating receptors of GABA (gamma-amino-butyric-acid). It specifically functions primarily …
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder associated with the brain’s inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles (and the circadian rhythm). As a result, individuals diagnosed with narcolepsy often experience excessive daytime sleepiness and may fall asleep unexpectedly. Some have suggested that the excessive daytime sleepiness stemming from narcolepsy is akin to how a normal person feels if …
We all know that getting enough sleep promotes healthy brain function and optimal cognitive performance. Most sources recommend getting approximately 8 hours of sleep per night, but the amount of sleep it takes for you to feel refreshed should be individualized. Someone who is training for a marathon will generally need more sleep (over 8 …
We’ve all heard the media-driven dogma that everyone needs at least 8 hours of sleep per night for optimal neurophysiological performance. Striving for 8 hours of sleep is generally a healthy rule of thumb [for most people], but shouldn’t be considered a utopian amount for everyone. Many individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) sleep …