Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about how sleeping pills affect our brains. Researchers found that zolpidem, a common medication in sleeping pills like Ambien, prevents the brain’s waste-clearing system from functioning effectively during sleep. This means that even if you fall asleep quickly with the help of these pills, your body may not be getting the restorative sleep it needs.
The glymphatic system, a network of thin tubes, helps remove toxins from the brain while we sleep. To understand this process better, scientists implanted optical fibers in the brains of mice to track the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and blood during sleep. This study sheds new light on how our brains clear waste and could have important implications for treating sleep disorders.
Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2463119-sleeping-pills-disrupt-how-the-brain-clears-waste