Can you overdose on sleeping pills to stay awake longer?

Question

Hello doctor,

Can I stay up longer than usual if I take sleeping aids like Tablet Trazodone or Melatonin and sleep for an extended period (over 10 hours)? Does the time to remain active increase if you sleep for 24 hours to 72 or 96 hours? Does this pattern negatively affect awareness at some point?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Humans follow a circadian rhythm of sleep and wakefulness, where we sleep for around eight hours, followed by 16 hours of wakefulness. It is a periodic cycle. No matter how much you sleep beforehand, you are bound to feel sleepy if you are awake for around 15 to 16 hours. If you take medicines like Tablet Trazodone or Melatonin, you might also feel drowsy during the day. It is difficult to sleep for periods like 72 hours at a stretch, and you are bound to feel sleepy after 15 to 16 hours of waking up from this. It is best not to mess with your sleep cycle and keep a fixed sleep schedule.