Sleeping pills may shave up to six years off your lifespan, according to a groundbreaking study that has medical professionals reconsidering how they treat insomnia.
At a Glance
- Extensive research involving nearly 500,000 adults links sleeping pill use to a 55% higher mortality risk in medium sleepers (6-8 hours)
- Men using sleeping pills lived 5.3 years less on average, while women experienced an even greater reduction of 5.7 years
- Multiple causes contribute to the increased mortality, including cancer, infections, accidents, and cognitive decline
- Experts recommend addressing underlying causes of insomnia and improving sleep hygiene rather than relying on medication
- Medical professionals caution against stopping sleeping pills abruptly and advise consulting a doctor first
The Alarming Findings
A comprehensive study from En Chu Kong Hospital in Taiwan has revealed disturbing connections between sleeping pill use and mortality risk. The research, led by Dr. Yu Sun and published in the journal Sleep Health, tracked 484,916 individuals over nearly two decades, analyzing sleep quality, duration, and sleeping pill use. The results showed that even among those who slept the recommended 6-8 hours per night, participants who took sleeping pills had a 55% higher risk of death compared to those who didn’t use sleep medication. This translates to a potential reduction in lifespan of more than half a decade.
“Our results are staggering to say the least. Many people rely on sleeping pills to help them sleep, so it’s a shock to find that taking them may more than double your mortality risk,” said Dr. Yu Sun, MD, Ph.D.
The research uncovered a gender disparity in the effects, with women experiencing a slightly greater reduction in lifespan than men. Men who used sleeping pills lived approximately 5.3 years less than non-users, while women saw their lives shortened by about 5.7 years. Additionally, researchers noted a higher rate of cancer-related deaths among sleeping pill users. These findings align with earlier research, including a 2012 study published in BMJ Open that also connected regular sleeping pill use with a higher risk of premature death.
Understanding the Mechanisms
The link between sleeping pills and increased mortality isn’t attributed to a single cause but rather a complex interplay of factors. Researchers have identified several potential mechanisms that may explain the connection. These include direct physiological effects of the medications, increased risk of accidents due to lingering drowsiness, and possible long-term impacts on bodily systems. The study also considered the possibility that underlying health conditions requiring sleep medication might contribute to the higher mortality rates, though the researchers controlled for numerous health variables.
“The mechanisms underlying the association between sleeping pill use and causes of death are likely to be multifactorial, including potentially lethal morbidities such as cancer, infection, depression, suicide, falling, fracture, automobile accidents, suppressed respiration, and dementia,” explained Yu Sun, MD, PhD.
Over the 10-year follow-up period, approximately 3.5% of study participants died, with cancer, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases being the leading causes. The data revealed that sleeping pill users had higher mortality risks across all sleep duration categories, with the most significant risk observed among long sleepers (those who regularly sleep more than 8 hours). Interestingly, the study also found that frequent dreaming was associated with a lower mortality risk, while difficulty falling asleep increased mortality risk independently of medication use.
Sleep Duration and Medication: A Dangerous Combination
The study found that sleep duration plays a crucial role in mortality risk, with “medium sleepers” (those who sleep 6-8 hours per night) generally having the lowest mortality risk. However, this advantage disappeared when sleeping pills entered the equation. Medium sleepers who used sleeping pills saw their mortality risk increase by 55% compared to medium sleepers who didn’t use medication. The situation was even worse for “extreme sleepers” – those who slept less than 6 hours or more than 8 hours per night – who already had a 30% higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to medium sleepers before accounting for sleeping pill use.
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When extreme sleep durations were combined with sleeping pill use, the reduction in life expectancy became substantial, particularly in men. This suggests that both sleep duration and sleeping pill use independently contribute to mortality risk, and when combined, they may have a synergistic negative effect. Researchers also found that psychiatric medication use was associated with increased mortality risk in sleeping pill users, though this connection wasn’t always statistically significant when adjusted for other factors.
Benzodiazepines: A Particular Concern
Among the various types of sleeping medications, benzodiazepines appear to pose particular risks. These drugs, which include medications like diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax), are commonly prescribed for anxiety and insomnia. According to the research, benzodiazepine users have a 66% greater chance of hospitalization or death compared to non-users. The risks increase further when these medications are combined with other drugs, especially in older adults who may already be taking multiple medications for various conditions.
“These effects can indirectly contribute to increased mortality risk by affecting daily functioning and increasing the likelihood of accidents, especially in older adults,” said Dr. Ruchir Patel, MD, FACP.
The side effects of benzodiazepines and other sleeping medications can include daytime drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, and reduced coordination. These effects can lead to falls, accidents, and impaired cognition, particularly in elderly patients. Additionally, long-term use of these medications has been associated with cognitive decline, respiratory suppression, and potential dependency or addiction. These factors may contribute to the observed increase in mortality risk among users of these medications.
Experts Urge Caution in Interpretation
While the study’s findings are concerning, some medical professionals caution against drawing overly simplistic conclusions. Critics of the study point out that correlation doesn’t necessarily imply causation, and that people who require sleeping pills may have underlying health conditions that independently increase their mortality risk. Despite the researchers’ efforts to control for various health factors, some experts suggest that the relationship between sleeping pill use and mortality may be more complex than the study indicates.
“You cannot assume, just because you find this kind of association, that hypnotics are killing people,” said Dr. Collop.
Nancy Collop, MD, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), pointed out that individuals who use sleeping pills often represent a demographic with more health challenges. “People who go on sleeping pills are a sicker population. I know (this study) tried to control for that, but these people simply are not as healthy,” Dr. Collop noted. This perspective suggests that while the association between sleeping pill use and mortality is real, the causal relationship may be influenced by other factors that weren’t fully accounted for in the study.
The Growing Insomnia Epidemic
The findings come at a time when insomnia rates are increasing globally, despite the proliferation of sleep aids such as sleep trackers, white noise machines, and meditation apps. This rise in sleep disorders has fueled the sleep medication industry, with millions of prescriptions written annually. Insomnia affects approximately 30% of adults worldwide, with higher rates reported during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The condition is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or achieving restful sleep, and can significantly impact quality of life, productivity, and overall health.
While sleeping pills provide relief for many insomnia sufferers, they come with tradeoffs. Beyond the potential mortality risks identified in this study, common side effects include daytime drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, and in some cases, complex sleep behaviors like sleep-walking or sleep-eating. Long-term use has been linked to various health risks, including heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline. The growing body of research suggesting serious health consequences from these medications raises important questions about their role in treating sleep disorders.
Safer Approaches to Better Sleep
In light of these findings, health experts are emphasizing the importance of addressing the root causes of insomnia rather than relying on medication as a first-line treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been shown to be effective for many patients without the risks associated with medication. This approach focuses on identifying and changing beliefs and behaviors that contribute to sleep problems. Other non-pharmaceutical approaches include improving sleep hygiene, maintaining regular sleep schedules, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and managing stress through techniques like meditation and relaxation exercises.
“Stopping by yourself is risky. Certain sleep pills have to be tapered off, or your sleep will become worse,” warned Dr. Emma Lin, MD.
For those currently using sleeping pills, experts caution against stopping abruptly. Many sleep medications require gradual tapering to avoid withdrawal symptoms or rebound insomnia, which can be worse than the original sleep problem. Patients should consult with their healthcare providers to develop a plan for safely reducing and potentially eliminating sleeping pill use when appropriate. In some cases, short-term use of sleeping pills may still be recommended, particularly for acute insomnia triggered by specific life events, but the goal should be to limit duration and dosage to minimize risks.
Implications for Public Health and Medical Practice
The study’s findings have significant implications for both public health policy and clinical practice. For healthcare providers, the research underscores the importance of carefully weighing the risks and benefits of prescribing sleeping pills, particularly for long-term use. The authors emphasize the need for greater awareness among both clinicians and the public about the potential harms associated with hypnotic and sedative prescriptions. This may lead to more restrictive prescribing guidelines and increased monitoring of patients using these medications.
From a public health perspective, the findings highlight the need for greater investment in sleep education and non-pharmaceutical approaches to managing sleep disorders. By promoting better understanding of sleep hygiene and the importance of addressing underlying causes of sleep problems, public health initiatives could help reduce reliance on sleeping medications while improving overall sleep health. The study also points to the value of further research into safer treatments for insomnia and other sleep disorders, given the significant impact of sleep quality on overall health and longevity.
As our understanding of the complex relationship between sleep, medication, and mortality continues to evolve, this research serves as an important reminder that even commonly prescribed medications can have unexpected long-term consequences. For the millions who struggle with sleep issues, finding the right balance between effective treatment and safety remains an ongoing challenge that requires careful consideration and personalized approaches.
