Popular sleep aid 'can cause nightmares', pharmacist warns
Many of us find it difficult to sleep at night, especially if thoughts are still swirling around your mind as your head hits the pillow. Some people try things like cutting back on caffeine during the day, or performing breathing exercises to relax.
And then there are sleep aids, which can be taken in the short-term. However, one pharmacist has said these should only be used as a last resort, with some having some less than ideal side effects.
Ian Budd of Chemist4U previously spoke to the Mirror about one of the most common sleep aids, which involves a synthetic version of the sleep hormone melatonin, which our bodies naturally produce at night to regulate sleep. However, synthetic melatonin - which should only be taken for short periods if you're having trouble sleeping - can have "unpleasant side effects".
Therefore, Ian advises seeking medical advice before using melatonin as a sleep aid. He said: "Melatonin can be found in a medicine called Circadin. If you've been struggling with your sleep cycle for a while, it's likely you know that melatonin is a natural chemical in the body that helps you to fall asleep.
"But, make sure you know what you're getting into before you pick up your prescription, as Circadin can have some pretty unpleasant side effects such as abnormal nightmares, night sweats and weight gain. Sleep aids should only be used as a last resort, after first trying to make some lifestyle changes, such as improving your bedtime routine, cutting down caffeine intake and managing stress.
"We would recommend consulting with your doctor before using melatonin as a sleep aid to avoid any unwanted side effects."
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