Getting a good nights sleep is very important in being able to function properly the next day. Diet and exercise contribute positively as well. No one likes to toss and turn. After a rough night, your performance gores down and the day is a drag. Unfortunately too many people use sedatives such as Ambien to fall asleep. Although the extra chemical substance in the form of a pill is nice to have, it doesn’t solve the root cause of the problem. Our inability to relax our minds is the source of the problem. (#Ambien)
We prevent ourselves from falling asleep. Stress, money concerns, health concerns and even technology prevents us from being able to put ourselves to sleep. In lieu of fixing those issues, we turn to prescription medications to help solve it. But what happens if you don’t remember the irrational things done under the influence of a sedative?
What Is Ambien?
Ambien or generic Ambien is known by the active ingredient Zolpidem which is considered a psychoactive drug since it can induce a hypnotic state. Its main intent is to act like a sedative to treat insomnia. The compound works by preventing the neurotransmitters in your central nervous system from working. This is done by preventing the neurons from sensing information which is translated by the brain. At this point, your body goes into a form of sleep mode since no stimulus is being recorded. If the brain doesn’t process as much information, it tends to go into sleep mode as would a computer.
So may wonder how long does Ambien stay in your system. The simple answer is up to three hours but can stay longer. This prescription drug is intended to be a short acting sleep inducer. You will go into the sleep cycle quickly. You won’t stay asleep for long periods of time since this is not the intent. From a chemical perspective, it is considered a non-benzodiazepine. Simply, it will mimic the effects of other psychoactive drugs using a different process. The feeling you get when taking this medication can be considered a sort of Ambien high if you will.
Ambien Side Effects
Now that we understand what Ambien does let’s get to know what the side effects of Ambien are. First and foremost is the concern associated with Ambien blackouts. We all know about sleep walking that occurs in some people. Now picture the same as a side effect with abnormal behaviors such as sleep eating, sleep walking or sleep shopping to name a few. These blackouts occur when mixing the prescription drug with alcohol. Alcohol seems to act like a hypnotic enhancer which lessens inhibitions and erases memories. Imagine the possibility of people using this medicine engaging in activities such as driving, eating, walking, making phone calls, or having sex and later having no memory. This warning is provided in the medical insert and additional warnings were provided by the FDA.
Thinking About Taking One Before Flight? 
Most of us have trouble sleeping on airplanes but avoid taking Ambien during airplane travel. The reason being is you need 7 to 8 hours of sleep to fully ensure the effects of the medication have worn off. If you don’t, amnesia (forgetfulness) can be common. This is not limited to just flying, one should not drive or engage in other activities that require complete mental alertness. Lack of proper sleep may impair your thinking or reactions or create a zombie like state. You may still feel sleepy the morning after taking this medicine, especially if you take Ambien CR, the extended-release tablet.
Is Ambien a controlled substance? Yes, the DEA classifies it as a Schedule IV (4) because of its potential for abuse and addiction. You can get addicted and be forced to deal with Ambien withdrawal.
Physical Side Effects
Since I explained some of the mental symptoms associated with Ambien, let’s consider some of the physical symptoms. It turns out that Zolpidem can cause a different types of reactions. First, the tablets may contain lactose to those who are lactose intolerant. Second, other physical symptoms include dizziness, daytime drowsiness, weakness, haziness, tired feeling, loss of coordination, stuffy nose, dry mouth, nose or throat irritation, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, headache and muscle pain. More serious reactions include rash, itching, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness and trouble breathing.
In addition, do not use Ambien with anti-depression medications or if you feel extreme symptoms such as depression, anxiety, aggression, agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts, hallucinations, memory problems, changes in personality, no fear of danger, or thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself. Do not take Ambien with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing. This combination can cause additional dangerous side effects and even death.
Have you had a bad experience with Ambien?
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