Are sleep meds legal to take?

If it's bad for sleep, why do so many PM meds use it for the PM benefits not to mention "sleep aids" on the market? But, works wonders for me but I use it for the antihistamine aspect too so it's a twofer for me.

As to taking a sleep aid "at the same time every night", that seems to be an issue with many in the trucking industry as many don't get a "regular" bedtime to get "programmed" and one of the main reasons many need a sleep aid as the sleep pattern is disrupted all too often.

But I have heard good things about melatonin too.

 

In answer to your first question, let's not assume the pharmaceutical industry has "our" best interests at heart. They put diphenhydramine into everything and anything because it has such a pronounced mind-altering effect. If you take enough of those, you'll literally have a hallucinogenic trip. The threshold between 'therapeutic' and complete abuse is very slim.

As for taking a sleep aid at the same time every night, I agree with you there. Melatonin is just a natural chemical our body makes so it's not really something that can be abused like the diphenhydramine found in Benadryl.

If we could just let people have a set schedule, there would be a serious reduction in accidents, in my opinion. Driving while exhausted is worse than driving under the influence of drugs, but it's a hallmark of our business. This is why the stereotype that all truckers have to abuse speed came into play. Now, we just drive in a semi-conscious semi-dreaming stupor which probably means our mental state is just as impaired as someone who is in no way medically fit to operate this equipment.

And yes, it has happened to me before, I'll be driving down the desolate stretch of highway with the radio blasting, window down, knocking back RockStar and coffee. For that split second my eyes focus on one place in the road, and it's as if my audio sense shuts off, I stop hearing the music for a split second. You know what that is? It's your head dropping. It's a microsleep. It's as bad as putting a loaded gun to your head and playing russian roulette.

 

Well, I will agree with you there. Good point.

What "mind altering effect"?
Guess I am not taking enough... lol

All it does for me is either make me a bit tired to push me over into sleep land or stop a few hives when they breakout.

But it certainly could do more at higher doses... Just never experiences that aspect.

Stay Safe,
MD

 

Calms work well. It's like herbal valium. Find them in the health food stores.