What is the difference between benzodiazepines and sleeping pills?

Benzodiazepines and sleeping pills, such as z-hypnotics, are both used to help people sleep, but they have some differences. Benzodiazepines affect a wide range of brain functions and are used for anxiety, seizures, and sleep. They can cause more side effects, like feeling sleepy during the day and possibly becoming dependent on them.

Z-hypnotics, which include drugs like zopiclone, zolpidem, and zaleplon, are a newer type of sleeping pill. They are designed to help with sleep problems specifically and may have fewer side effects than benzodiazepines. According to the references, z-hypnotics are considered safer and better for sleep because they focus more on helping with sleep and less on other brain functions.

In summary, while both benzodiazepines and z-hypnotics can help you sleep, z-hypnotics might be a better choice if you're looking for fewer side effects and a lower risk of dependency. Always talk to a healthcare provider to find out what's best for you. For mental health concerns, visit 988lifeline.org.