Cause 4: Medications
Modern medicine provides us with a wealth of solutions to combat various ailments, offering relief and hope where there might have been suffering or uncertainty. The pharmaceutical world is a testament to human ingenuity. But, just as the sun has its spots, these miraculous pills sometimes come with unexpected nighttime episodes, including sleepwalking. Some medications, especially those tailored for psychological conditions like anxiety or depression, can have the unintended side effect of promoting sleep disturbances. Also, certain allergy medications, in their quest to quell sneezing and itching, may also inadvertently disrupt our natural sleep cycles. But how does this all work? The answer lies in how these drugs interact with our brain’s chemistry and sleep-regulating mechanisms. When this intricate balance is thrown off-kilter, our nightly rest can become a stage for somnambulism.
Everyone is unique. We’ve heard that adage many times, but when it comes to medication, this truth takes on life-altering significance. One person’s lifesaver might be another’s sleepwalker-trigger. The human body’s vast array of biochemical reactions to medications means that side effects will vary significantly between individuals. For some, a pill might lead to vivid dreams. For others, it might cause a deep sleep. Yet, for a select few, it can lead to wandering hallways at night, unaware. This wide variability necessitates close monitoring, especially after starting a new medication.
It’s not just the heavy-duty prescription stuff we need to be wary of. A casual stroll down a pharmacy’s aisle can land us with seemingly harmless over-the-counter drugs, designed to alleviate everyday ailments. But some of these, especially antihistamines, have been associated with nighttime episodes of sleepwalking. The cause, as researchers speculate, could be the way these drugs affect REM sleep. Even though they’re available without a prescription, it’s always worth discussing any new medication with a healthcare provider. (4)
