Final answer:
Sleeping pills might lead to dependence, adjustment of the sleep cycle, and potentially exacerbate insomnia over time. Alternative approaches, like cognitive-behavioral therapy, address the underlying causes and are often more effective without the severe side effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Taking sleeping pills for insomnia may not be a good idea because they can lead to dependence and alter the natural sleep cycle. Over time, this can actually increase insomnia symptoms. Many factors contribute to insomnia, including lifestyle and mental health issues, and more holistic approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy are often recommended over medication. Sleeping pills might provide temporary relief but don't address the underlying causes of insomnia. Moreover, they may have severe and sometimes irreversible side effects, such as increased depression and potential disruption to the amine melatonin, which affects the sleep-wake cycle.
Advertising by pharmaceutical companies has significantly increased the use of these medications, despite studies indicating that non-pharmacological interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy might be more effective for long-term treatment of insomnia.