Learn about the relationship between substances andsleepwalking, sleep eating, sleep-driving, and evenREM behavior disorder.
What Medications Cause Sleep Behaviors?
Rather than normal sleep paralysis occurring, muscle tone is increased and it becomes possible to act dreams out.
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It is possible for sleep sex and even violent acts to occur.
Though part of the brain is turned off, the part that allows movement and activities can be active.
Can Alcohol or Drugs Cause Sleep Behaviors?
Alcohol modestly affects thinking: though impaired, it is not absent.
In contrast, someone who is sleepwalking has no recollection of his or her actions after the fact.
Movements, even shockingly complex actions, are preserved in sleepwalking.
This may provoke mixed states of consciousness and lead to an increased risk of sleepwalking.
Though logical, this has not been validated by testing.
Alcohol intoxication may have little role in inciting sleep behaviors, but alcohol withdrawal may provoke these episodes.
In addition, withdrawal from prescription drugs like barbiturates and meprobamate may also do the same.
Finally, there is evidence that excessive use of caffeine and even chocolate may cause REM behavior disorder.
The most important consideration is to examine the timing.
Did you start using the substance prior to the onset of the symptoms?
Were the behaviors worsened while using it?
If the medication or substance is discontinued, do the symptoms or behaviors go away?
In general, it may be necessary to consult with your prescribing physician.
If possible, it may be necessary to discontinue the medication to see if the parasomnias resolve.
Blood levels may exceed what is deemed to be safe.
When combined with other medications that act on the brain, or with alcohol, the risks are worsened.
The misuse of these medications may cause serious accidents or other harm.
The same is true for other drugs that may be abused.
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