Common sleep aid may disrupt system that clears brain waste linked to Alzheimer's

Medical Xpress / University of Rochester Medical Center / Cell ^ | Jan. 8, 2025 | Maiken Nedergaard, MD, DMSc, et al

[ConservativeMind]

Ambien (zolpidem) appears to create longer-term issues by preventing removal of brain cellular waste, which a big concern with dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I have been hearing weird stories about Ambien for some time.

I am actually kind of surprised that anyone would take it.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

"I'm here to collect your amyloid and tau protein waste to prevent neurodegenerative wasting away of the USA."

[SaxxonWoods]

Thanks, I use Melatonin about half the time. It makes me sleepy but I seem to spend about the same amount of the night awake with or without it. Still experimenting with it. REM and Deep sleep both lacking a bit lately.

[Jonty30]

Three things to do, before you try Big Pharma potions.

Get a dietary checkup, to ensure you are getting all your nutrition.
Exercise hard about 5 hours before you sleep.
Take a hot shower just before bed.
Read something relaxing in your evening hours.

[AppyPappy]

If you have trouble with sleep, try CBD. If you have trouble getting to sleep, try THC. I don’t do THC but I do CBD.

[God luvs America]

I have the wake up at night problem as well. I’ve started taking melatonin with mixed results

[steve86]

I use 5-10 mg melatonin and also valerian at times (requires about a gram), but prescription trazodone is my heavy hitter.

Trazadone is not a z-drug like Ambien, TG, but was originally researched as an antidepressant. Now it is prescribed more often as a sedative. It gives me such deep and restful sleep I don’t need nearly as much as without it. Additionally, trazodone does not have significant anti-cholinergic effects so concerns about later dementia (as is the case with first-generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine) are considerably lessened.

[steve86]

CBD is something I have but unfortunately has no sleep facilitating effect on me, even with a very healthy dose (100 mg). I agree it is worth trying, though. Different people are different. I know of a person for whom even trazadone doesn’t work.

[steve86]

As you recall, 40 Hz gamma entrainment may help to clear the neuro waste, at least in mice, but I would avoid the z-drugs if at all possible even so.

[HerrBlucher]

I have never tried Ambien, but it caused horrible nightmares for a friend of mine.

I use a shot or two of bourbon,And it works great for me But it certainly is not for everybody.If I wake up in the middle of the night I take another couple shots. I have no problem with deep REM sleep, I have Vivid dreams every night.

[Red6]

There is no free lunch.

It’s a rule that applies pretty much everywhere.

[Carriage Hill]

Heh, I’ve been on Zolpidem/ Ambien for 15yrs, with no problems. Not happy to read this article, but my Heart Disease, Kidney Disease or COPD will probably kill me before dementia sets in. I will pass this on to my primary care provider (PCP) at Wellspan.

[ConservativeMind]

Good memory! Yes, that is an option and I have an app that provides it.

[ConservativeMind]

I find the time release melatonin formulas work best for me.

[rockabyebaby]

Thanks, I use Melatonin about half the time. It makes me sleepy but I seem to spend about the same amount of the night awake with or without it. Still experimenting with it. REM and Deep sleep both lacking a bit lately.

I use Melatonin maybe twice a week, the rest of the week I use CBD gummies or Dr. Teal's sleep spray (I spray it on my pillow), or nothing at all. Greenroads has gummies specifically for sleep and no you don't get high and no they are not addictive! I do not mix any of these, it's one or the other and some nites I don't take anything. I use the Melatonin gummies or sometimes the liquid, with the Melatonin gummies, I take one gummy and cut it in half, I take the first half about 15 minutes before bed and leave the other half on the night table for when I wake up in the middle of the nite to go to the bathroom, I take that half on the way to the bathroom!

https://greenroads.com/cbd-gummies

You can get the sleep spray at Walmart.

[Chickensoup]

Magnesium L-Threonate and calcium are great sleep aids need to take consistently I skip only once a week or so.

[Chickensoup]

Magnesium L-Threonate

[steve86]

Yeah, “good memory” ‘cuz I play that MIT 40 Hz track on my phone😊