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Invented hypnotics, which will not affect attention, memory and well-being
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Despite the abundance of funds for insomnia, many people choose not to resort to their help because of the side effect that most of the medicines are characterized.
Researchers from the state of Pennsylvania (USA) have invented a new hypnotic, which does not affect the cognitive abilities of the body and can provide a healthy and quality sleep. At the moment, the drug has been successfully tested on small rodents and monkeys, which, after taking the medication, plunged into a sound and restful sleep. Scientists claim that the new drug has no side effects that were noticed in all previously developed drugs.
Specialists began to develop a new hypnotic due to the recent increase in the number of people suffering from insomnia and, at the same time, avoiding drugs in the United States. Almost all the hypnotic drugs known at the moment have a negative effect on the cognitive properties of the human body.
About 10-15% of modern Americans suffer from constant insomnia, often can not fall asleep in the evening and wake up in the middle of the night. Compared to the past decade, the number of people who complain of insomnia has increased noticeably.
Among the popular hypnotic drugs, physicians distinguish eszopiclone, zaliplon and zolpidem, which belong to the benzodiazepine receptor agonists. Despite the noticeable effectiveness, such drugs after awakening can cause a short-term memory loss, inhibited reaction. Medications slow the activity of the brain, which affects the mood and behavior of a person. Also, hypnotics can negatively affect the ability to learn, memory, perception and adaptation. Some scientists believe that sleeping pills can provoke sleepwalking and walking in a dream, which can lead to accidents. After a detailed study of the side effects and the negative effects of hypnotics, doctors began to develop a new drug.
The team of American neurologists drew attention to the orexin system of the human brain, as a new "target", which the drug should be struck. Orexin is a neuropeptide (a protein neurotransmitter found at the end of the last millennium), which is synthesized by the cells of the hypothalamus. It is considered that the lack of orexin in the body can cause narcolepsy, the main symptom of which is constant drowsiness and lethargy. Orexins can control the process of sleep and awakening of the organism and, possibly, influence the cognitive functions of the human body.
Recently invented medicine slows down the formation of orexins, which calms the body and inclines it to sleep. Experiments conducted on mammals have shown that the medicine successfully immerses the animals in a sound sleep. A subsequent study confirmed the scientists' assumption that the new hypnotic does not affect cognitive functions and has no side effects.
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