Sleeping Pills VS Wake Up Pills: A Comparison

Sleep is the foundation of our existence: we spend approximately a third of our lives in the grips of sleep. Getting enough sleep, then, is absolutely crucial to almost every aspect of our health: it will reduce the occurrence of sickness, help to maintain a healthy weight, lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease, minimise stress and improve mood, provide mental clarity and even improve our relationships with others. 

Given all this, you would think sleep would come easily to everyone. But, as we all know, it often doesn’t. In fact, 36% of UK adults struggle to get to sleep at least weekly, and more than 37 million (71 per cent) people across the UK do not get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night. 

To tackle sleep problems, many turn to over-the-counter sleep aids. But getting to sleep is not the only problem Britons face; on the flip side, many of us struggle to wake up. For this, there have historically been very few solutions (besides the obvious measures of going to bed earlier and hoping for the best, though you can’t always count on that) until recently. Now, a wake up supplement can be taken to induce an easier wake up and conquer the morning grogginess we know all too well. But does one pill trump the other? In this post, we will compare and contrast the sleeping pill with the wake up pill.

What’s the Difference Between Sleeping and Wake Up Pills?

It is important to distinguish that sleeping and wake up pills do different things. As their names suggest, the former facilitates falling asleep, while the latter helps people wake up.

When Do People Take Sleeping Pills?

Sleeping pills are often used by those who suffer from sleep disorders like insomnia. People who are severely deficient in sleep may be prescribed a sleep aid by a doctor or buy an over-the-counter product to help them get a good night’s rest.

Alternatively, sleeping difficulty may be temporary and come down to life circumstances such as a bereavement or breakup. Sleep aids may be useful for times like this, as they are usually short-term.

When Do People Take Wake Up Pills?

Wake up pills have much less serious connotations than sleeping pills because they are a dietary supplement purported to aid the waking-up process for those that endure sleep inertia or grogginess when they wake up. 

The wake up supplement was designed with the 70% of people in mind who struggle to wake up in the morning and could do with that extra push, all without getting up to make a coffee. The supplements can also be used to realign your circadian rhythm to the hours of your choice so that you can be awake at the hour needed. This may suit night shift workers or those adjusting to a new time zone. Alternatively, they can be taken if you simply want to get some exercise done before work, or for anything else that may require an earlier wake up.

Wake up supplements don’t serve the sole purpose of helping with waking up, however; they also help sustain concentration and alertness throughout the day.

How Do Sleeping Pills Work?

Sleeping pills come in various formats and work in different ways. Some work by causing drowsiness and making you sleepy, while others target the receptors in the brain responsible for keeping you alert and slowing down the nervous system. Sleep aids can be used if you’re susceptible to waking up in night or if you find the falling-asleep part difficult.

How Do Wake Up Pills Work?

The wake up pill, taken just before bed on an empty stomach with half a glass of water, is designed to kick in seven hours after being taken, just before you wake up, so that the user can easily step out of bed feeling fresh and well-rested. The mechanism by which it is able to begin working after seven hours is patented delayed-release technology, which sees the outer layer of the capsule dissolve just before its effects are needed.

How Effective Are Sleeping Pills?

According to studies, sleeping pills aren’t actually that helpful after all. Sleep aids send most users to sleep only around eight to 20 minutes faster than those who fall asleep naturally. When it all boils down, those who take sleep aids might get an additional 35 minutes of sleep than their non-sleeping-pill-taking counterparts.

Furthermore, long-term use of sleep aids is not recommended.

How Effective are Wake Up Pills?

The efficacy of the wake up supplement was attested during its clinical trials. The study found that this supplement reduced sleep inertia and “[facilitated] the sleep-to-wake transition in sleep-restricted healthy adults”. It elaborated that “individuals suffering from disabling sleep inertia may benefit from this innovative approach”.

The Risks and Side Effects

Sleeping pills

There is no denying the risks and side effects of sleeping pills: after taking a sleep aid, around eight out of 10 people experience a similar effect to that of a hangover the following day. This can include feeling drowsy, not thinking clearly and feeling dizzy or unbalanced, which, practically speaking, can have a negative impact on your daily life. You may face difficulty with tasks like driving and focusing at work.

Furthermore, nightly use of sleeping pills can result in dependence, such that when you eventually stop taking them, your insomnia could deteriorate again and possibly be worse than ever, producing what’s called rebound insomnia.

Wake up Supplements

Due to the simple formula comprising entirely natural ingredients in the wake up pill, there are no side effects to speak of. The supplements blend the equivalent of an espresso shot and helpings of Vitamins B5, B15 and Zinc. Each of these ingredients has the effect of sharpening your concentration and alertness, as well as making your wake-up less strenuous. You shouldn’t come into contact with any negative side effects. That said, if you have a hypersensitivity to caffeine, it may be best to avoid wake up supplements.

Who Should Avoid Both?

Needless to say, a doctor should be consulted before introducing any new medication or supplement to your system. Pregnant women, children, and those on medications should avoid taking sleeping and wake-up pills. Those on medication who are interested in taking wake-up supplements may well be given the all-clear but must still discuss the matter with a doctor to be on the safe side.

Bottom Line

Ultimately, whilst they fall into a similar remit, sleeping and wake-up pills are not to be confused, as they serve entirely opposing purposes. Whereas sleeping pills are generally the last resort, wake-up supplements don’t need to be. Wake-up pills can be a long-term measure, whilst sleeping medicine should not be.