During the day, the retinas perceive the presence of natural light and signal the brain to secrete hormones like cortisol that promote feelings of wakefulness and alertness. National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. Melatonin is a natural hormone produced in the pineal gland of the brain Always consult a physician, whether or not it requires a prescription. While you can choose from dozens of different brand names, most OTC sleep aids fall into one of the following categories based on their chemical composition. Other types of sleep aids are available over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription and can be used to treat insomnia and other sleep issues, but you should still exercise caution and speak to a doctor about risk factors, side effects, and other potential concerns before taking these medications for the first time. Some sleep medications, such as orexin receptor antagonists and benzodiazepines, require a doctor’s prescription. Many people take sleeping pills in order to fall asleep more quickly and get enough rest. Always consult your doctor before taking a new medication or changing your current treatment. Medical Disclaimer: The content on this page should not be taken as medical advice or used as a recommendation for any specific treatment or medication. Read our full Advertising Disclosure for more information. Although Sleep Foundation maintains affiliate partnerships with brands and e-commerce portals, these relationships never have any bearing on our product reviews or recommendations.Writers and editors caught stealing content or improperly citing sources are immediately terminated, and we will work to rectify the situation with the original publisher(s) Inaccurate or unverifiable information will be removed prior to publication. A member of our medical expert team provides a final review of the content and sources cited for every guide, article, and product review concerning medical- and health-related topics.These internal links are intended to improve ease of navigation across the site, and are never used as original sources for scientific data or information. Some guides and articles feature links to other relevant Sleep Foundation pages.Each guide and article includes a comprehensive bibliography with full citations and links to the original sources. All scientific data and information must be backed up by at least one reputable source.

These include peer-reviewed journals, government reports, academic and medical associations, and interviews with credentialed medical experts and practitioners. We only cite reputable sources when researching our guides and articles.Guidelines for our testing methodology are as follows: This hands-on approach allows us to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations for mattresses, pillows, sheets, and other sleep essentials. At Sleep Foundation, we personally test every product featured in our reviews and guides.

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