A quick look how Ambien actually works. This is why it so successfully

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

promotes sleep.

It affects multiple chemical and neuro-muscular actions that are directly tied to our sleep/wake cycle.

Here's a description of its action...

Subunit modulation of the GABAA receptor chloride channel macromolecular complex is hypothesized to be responsible for sedative, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and myorelaxant drug properties.
>snip
....it interacts with a GABA-BZ receptor complex and shares some of the pharmacological properties of the benzodiazepines.

That's it. Just hit as many neurological functions as possible and you are guaranteed to be "knocked out". And stay that way for a while.

However, the human brain is a complex organ. And, when you have this combination of actions, there's no telling how each potentiates the other, especially from person to person.

It appears that the Reticular Activating System, which is a driver for our sleep/wake cycle, is kicking in when a certain threshold occurs for some of those who take Ambien.

It's essentially the brain "fighting" the multiple effects of Ambien by trying to wake up the body. Of course, because the drug's so potent, somnolence, rather than full wakefulness occurs.

When the doctors I work with prescribe Ambien, which is infrequently, it is with lots of discussion with the patients about all this and a continued focus on the underlying physical, emotional or mental reason for the insomnia.

So, yes, it can help with sleep. And, it can be quite dangerous. One of our doctors, who rarely prescribes it, calls it the "Russian roulette of sleep medications."

Just throwing in my two cents on the Ambien discussion. MKJ




http://www.drkoop.com/druglibrary/93/ambien-clinical_pharmacology.html