What effects do benzodiazepines have on sleep?

What effects do benzodiazepines have on sleep?

• A. Increases REM latency and decreases N2
• B. Decreases REM sleep and N3, and increases SE and TST
• C. No effect on sleep architecture
• D. Decreases sleep latency and increases total sleep time

Answer: (D)

Benzodiazepines work by enhancing GABAergic inhibition, which quiets brain activity and promotes sleep. The most consistent and clinically important effects are that you fall asleep faster (reduced sleep latency) and you sleep longer overall (increased total sleep time). They also tend to shift sleep stages toward more N2 and reduce REM and slow-wave sleep, but these architectural changes are secondary to the main effects on onset and duration. That makes the statement about decreasing sleep latency and increasing total sleep time the best description of their primary sleep effects.

Benzodiazepines work by enhancing GABAergic inhibition, which quiets brain activity and promotes sleep. The most consistent and clinically important effects are that you fall asleep faster (reduced sleep latency) and you sleep longer overall (increased total sleep time). They also tend to shift sleep stages toward more N2 and reduce REM and slow-wave sleep, but these architectural changes are secondary to the main effects on onset and duration. That makes the statement about decreasing sleep latency and increasing total sleep time the best description of their primary sleep effects.