Nearly one in five Americans regularly or occasionally takes sleeping pills, according to the survey.

Nearly one in five American adults say they turn to medication occasionally or regularly to help them sleep, according to a new study released by US health officials.

The study, released this week by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, is based on data from the 2020 National Health Survey.

Sleeping pills were defined as any medication, both prescribed and over-the-counter, to help you fall asleep or sleep “most days” or “every day” in the past 30 days.

According to the data summary, in 2020, 6.3% of adults said they took sleeping pills every day for the past 30 days, 2.1% took medication most days, and 10% took medication a few days.

A total of 81.6% of American adults said they did not take sleeping pills.

The researchers also noted that women (10.2%) are more likely than men (6.6%) to take sleep medication across all age groups, and medication use generally increases with age.

In addition, the percentage of adults who took sleep medication every day or most of the days was highest among white adults (10.4%), followed by black adults (6.1%) and Hispanics (4.6%) , the data summary says. The lowest percentage was among Asian adults.

The use of sleeping pills also declined as family income increased, the researchers said, from 10% of adults below the federal poverty line to 8.2% among those at twice or more the federal poverty line.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends that adults get seven or more hours of sleep a night for optimal health. But previous research has shown that many adults struggle to get enough sleep and turn to sleeping pills as a result.

Sleeping pills can include over-the-counter medications and nutritional supplements, all of which can affect people differently, AASM says.

“Each drug targets a specific part of the brain. It is the brain that controls when your body sleeps and when it is awake. This is a complex process that also involves your heart, lungs and muscles,” says the AASM.

While some sleeping pills can be helpful tools for a better night’s rest, they can also be addictive when taken long-term and lead to drug tolerance or withdrawal symptoms, the AASM says.

Sleep Improvement Tips

Proper sleep habits can help people get better rest. According to the CDC and AASM, this includes a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends or while on vacation.

It’s also important to make sure the bedroom is quiet, dark, and at a comfortable temperature.

Experts advise avoiding large meals and drinking caffeine and alcohol before bed. Meanwhile, limit your exposure to bright lights in the evenings and especially electronics.

Exercise can also help improve sleep. The CDC claims that being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.

This was reported from Cincinnati.