Study Reveals the Dark Side of Sleep Meds

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted May 18, 2025

I’m sure you know by now that quality sleep is crucial for good health.

Poor sleep, on the other hand, is linked to all kinds of health hazards, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety.

It’s the primary reason people opt to take sleep medications.

But what if the pills you’re taking to help you sleep are actually setting you up for a nightmare down the road?

A shocking new study reveals that the “harmless” sleeping pills taken by millions could be paving the way to disability later in life.

And if you’re over 50, you’ll want to pay close attention to this discovery…

A groundbreaking study in the journal Sleep uncovered a disturbing link between sleep medications and future disability.

For every year a person experiences increasing insomnia, their risk of disability jumps by 20 percent.

And here’s the kicker: a similar level of risk was associated with increased usage of sleep medications.

We’re not talking about minor inconveniences here. The disabilities identified in the study included trouble with essential self-care activities like dressing, eating, toileting, and showering—basic activities most of us take for granted.

Even worse, many over-the-counter and prescription sleep medications don’t even work. They might knock you out for a few extra minutes, but they’re not giving you the restorative quality rest that your body needs.

And that’s not all.

According to a previous study by the same research team, sleep medications make falls more likely for older adults. So not only might these pills be setting you up for long-term disability, but they could also increase your risk of a serious fall in the short term.

It’s a double whammy that the drug companies aren’t exactly advertising in their glossy ads.

So, what’s an insomniac to do? Instead of reaching for that pill bottle, consider these safer approaches to improving your sleep:

• Create a consistent sleep schedule—going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
• Make your bedroom a sleep sanctuary—cool, dark, and quiet.
• Limit screen time before bed. Phones and tablets emit blue light that interfere with your body’s melatonin production.
• Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing or gentle stretching before bedtime.
• Cut back on caffeine and alcohol, especially in the afternoon and evening.
• Get regular exercise, but not too close to bedtime.
• Consider cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which is more effective than medications for long-term sleep improvement.

Sleeping pills might seem like a quick fix, but the long-term costs to your health and independence could be steep. And unlike the fine print that scrolls by at lightning speed during drug ads, this is a warning worth paying attention to.

P.S. What is a healthy night’s sleep? Three critical criteria.

Source:

Tuo-Yu Chen, Soomi Lee, Orfeu M Buxton, Late-life disability may increase with more frequent insomnia symptoms and sleep medications use over time, Sleep, 2025; zsaf098

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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