- Burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
- Changes in appetite
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty keeping balance
- Dizziness
- Daytime drowsiness
- Dry mouth or throat
- Gas
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Impairment the next day
- Mental slowing or problems with attention or memory
- Stomach pain or tenderness
- Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- Unusual dreams
- Weakness
Additionally, sleeping pills can cause severe breathing problems in people with asthma or other respiratory conditions. They can even cause “parasomnias”, unusual behaviors that occur while sleeping and that you have no control over, like sleepwalking.
Some people may experience an allergic reaction to sleep medication, including blurred vision, chest pain, swelling in the throat, and anaphylaxis.
Go Nuts for Nutmeg
When you’re having a hard time sleeping, don’t reach for your sleeping pills, reach for your pantry instead.
Nutmeg, a common spice that every baker keeps on hand, is a natural sedative that helps manage insomnia and improve sleep quality. Simply inhaling it for a few deep breaths is enough to lull you into sleep.
All you need is to measure out 1/8 – 1/4 of a teaspoon of the spice and mix with a bit of honey to form a paste. Eat it straight from the spoon and swallow with a bit of water, if necessary. It will give you the ability to relieve insomnia naturally.
Nutmeg can have hallucinatory effects if taken in large doses, so make sure not to exceed this amount and to only take it once a day at most.
If you are currently taking other medications, consult your doctor or naturopath before taking nutmeg.
