NEW YORK (Kashmir English): A new study suggests that middle-aged and elderly individuals can enjoy a healthier old age — and even save money — by quitting sleeping pills.
The study was published in The Lancet Regional Health — Americas which found that stopping use of sleeping pills could reduce the risk of falls by about 9 percent, slow cognitive decline by 2 percent, and increase life expectancy by more than a month on average. The decision could also result in thousands of rupees in healthcare and medication savings.
The research, led by Henke Haven Johnson from the Schaefer Center for Health Policy and Economics at the University of Southern California, revealed the benefits of reducing dependency on sleeping medications.
Johnson explained that reducing the use of sleeping pills among seniors can lead to better physical and mental health outcomes, enabling them to lead safer, and more active lives.
Use of sleeping pill among adults
The study revealed that over 15 million Americans aged 50 and above regularly use sleeping pills despite continued medical warnings about the long-term effects.
Insomnia affects nearly half of the population aged 65 and above and is often linked with other health issues such as dementia, depression, anxiety, and heart disease.
The research cautioned that prolonged use of sleeping pills may worsen these risks by increasing incidents of sleepwalking, nightmares, and falls.
The study, which analyzed data from the Federal Health and Retirement Study, found the most significant improvements among participants aged between 65 and 74.
For this age group, quitting sleeping pills not only improved physical safety but also supported better mental alertness and longevity.
The experts recommended Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) as a more effective and safer alternate to medication.
Researchers emphasized that CBT-I focuses on changing sleep-related behaviours and thought patterns, offering long-term relief without side effects associated with sleeping medication.
With millions of aged people at risk of falls and cognitive decline, the study reiterated the growing call for non-drug approaches to better sleep and healthier aging.
