OVERVIEW:

The following discussion is quite interesting as it will help us find a way to create one’s own sleeping pill but before that, it is important to know when one should seek the medications and how to use it and is it safe to use medicines and all the possible adverse effects that are associated with the sleep-inducing medications.

SLEEPING PILLS:

Sleeping pills the UK can be defined as the group of medicines that are either naturally or synthetically made with the primary purpose of inducing sleep and helping in staying asleep for a reasonable time period so that one can function properly. There are different groups of drugs used as sleep aid and all groups are quite helpful in curing insomnia but only if the consumption is as per the doctor’s advice.

KINDS OF SLEEPING PILLS:

Sleep-inducing medications can be sub-divided into the following types:

1. Controlled sleeping pills: 

This category comprises all the FDA-approved UK sleeping pills that come under controlled substances groups of sleeping pills. The groups are benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepines, barbiturates, hypnotics, sedatives and tranquilizers. A proper prescription is required to get access to the drug as these are sensitive drugs with a very narrow safety window. These are only recommended for short durations and any longer use will cause more harm than good. Some anti-depressants and anxiolytics are also very effective in curing sleeplessness.

2. Over-the-counter sleeping pills: 

This category holds the drugs that are available and can be purchased without any prescription form from the physician. The group that belongs to anti-allergic, and anti-histamine usually belong to this group. Over-the-counter sleeping pills are widely used secondarily for sleep-inducing purposes but this practice should be highly discouraged as it can cause alarming consequences due to its ability to cause addiction and dependence.  

3. Natural, herbal or organic supplements:

Certain herbs, tea leaves and hormonal melatonin supplements are also very promising when it comes to cure insomnia. As they are claimed to be 100 percent organic so the adverse effects are very minimal. Their exact MOA (mechanism of action) is not known but it is believed that they calm down the nerves and the body thus help it to sleep.

BASIC MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ALL SLEEPING PILLS:

The basic mechanism through which sleep is induced is that the medicine acts on the central nervous system and reduces the electrical activity level of the brain by elevating the levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain which is GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). The responsiveness of the brain reduces and a soothing and calmness prevails that helps the body and mind to relax and eventually fall asleep.

SLEEPING PILLS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE HUMAN BODY:

Increased GABA levels help in bringing about the following effects:

• Sedation
• Hypnosis
• Muscle relaxant
• Anti-convulsant
• Amnesic
• Anxiolytic

INGREDIENTS OF A SLEEPING PILL:

The combination of ingredients that can be found in any sleeping pill type are as follows:

• Melatonin
• Valerian roots
• Valerian leave tea
• Magnesium
• Lavender (organic flowers)
• Passionflower
• Carob pods 
• Hibiscus flowers or extract
• Glycine
• Other sleep-promoting supplements such as tryptophan, ginkgo biloba, and L-theanine.

CAN ONE MAKE ONE’S OWN SLEEPING PILL AT HOME?

As per the available research data, it is possible to make a sleeping pill at home, much research is still had to be done as to how safe it is to make it at home so one should not practice it much.

INGREDIENTS REQUIRED AND THEIR QUANTITIES:

If you want to do a DIY sleeping pill then you need to have:

• Valerian root in the quantity of 300 milligrams to 600 milligrams. It is highly effective when taken slightly before bedtime (between 2 hours to 30 minutes before bedtime). 
• In the case of valerian tea, 2 to 3 grams of dried valerian root is required. The dried root is soaked in a cup of hot warm water for about 10 minutes to 15 minutes. By sub-merging, the root maximum extract is attained and then drinking that herbal tea will help in inducing sleep.

WHERE TO GET THE SLEEPING PILLS?

All the previously mentioned drugs are available at almost all pharmacies and drug stores and one can also buy sleeping pills online via many websites available. These herbal products can also be purchased through online websites. Doorstep delivery with discreetly packed products to ensure that the drug reaches safely. It is highly important to take the medicine only after consulting an expert.