It’s 2am, and here you are watching another sleeping pill commercial on TV. Or you may see over the counter sleep aids in the drugstore. It’s hard to escape the marketing for sleep medications, and if you have insomnia, you may be tempted to give them a try. But do they really work? There is a lot of conflicting information about sleeping pills and their effectiveness. Learning about sleep aids and medications can help you make an informed choice about treating your insomnia. In general, sleep medications are most effective as a temporary aid, not a long term solution. For chronic insomnia, a good sleep environment, relaxation, and behavioral techniques provide relief without risk of medication side effects or tolerance.

http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_aids_medication_insomnia_treatm...