Anti-sleeping pills may lead to health issues, long-term mental problems
PTC News Desk: During exams, some students use various methods to avoid falling asleep, including the use of anti-sleeping pills, which can lead to a variety of health issues and long-term mental problems, according to senior psychiatrist and former Director IHBHAS Nimesh Desai.
Desai, the former director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBHAS), stated, "There are two or three dangers. One is currently in an acute short-term state. I've seen many people go to an exam and then go blank. So there is an immediate crash, as they call it, following the simulation, which is dangerous. The long-term problems are that when people with mental health problems or susceptibility, or those with genetic loading, use stimulants, a mental disorder develops."
Dr. Desai stated, "The so-called anti-sleeping pills are essentially brain stimulants. For the past 50 to 60 years, methylphenidate was the most well-known. We are now hearing from parents, families, and in-school health programmes that they are becoming more prevalent."
Recently, a class 10 student from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, collapsed after taking an anti-sleeping pill while preparing for board exams and was admitted to the ICU.
Dr Desai stated that anti-sleeping stimulants impair physical performance and can lead to other health issues.
"Science would say that it is not very good to try artificial sleep stimulants; adequate normal sleep is best for performance, both mental and physical, so if not six to eight hours, then at least four to five hours is a good idea. Stimulants are never a good idea in the short or long term," he stated.
Dr Sameer Bhati, a public health expert, stated that anti-sleeping pills do not provide a long-term solution to exam-related stress and may exacerbate the problem by disrupting normal sleep.
"This incident is deeply concerning and demonstrates the enormous pressure students face to perform well academically, which is frequently driven by expectations from parents, peers, and society at large. However, using these pills can have serious consequences, including harmful side effects, particularly when taken in excess or in combination with other substances. It's critical to understand that these pills do not provide a long-term solution to exam-related stress and can worsen the situation by disrupting normal sleep patterns and putting strain on the body," Bhati said.
"We should promote healthier alternatives, such as eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Furthermore, the fact that some of these pills are available over the counter while claiming to be memory boosters is concerning and requires attention. Parents, educators, and healthcare professionals must work together to address the root causes of exam stress and support students in developing healthier coping strategies," he added.
Paytm stock surges 5% to upper circuit today: Possibility of full recovery?
Lottery winner claims Rs 2,800 crore prize; company cites 'error'
'Anupamaa' actor Rituraj Singh dies at 59 in cardiac arrest
Supreme Court to review Chandigarh poll ballot papers amid tampering concerns
-
