THE ABRAMS REPORT
[MSNBC, 14 March 2006]

ABRAMS: My "Closing Argument" -- a special report tonight on why you may want to think twice before going to sleep. The dangers of sleep coming up. Not really, but (INAUDIBLE) how I feel reading recent news reports that sleeping can be hazardous to our health and to those around us.

Recent studies indicate the popular prescription sleeping pill Ambien, prescribed to 26.5 million people last year, is leading some to -- quote -- "sleep eat or sleep drive." A scientific paper is being prepared that cites patients who take Ambien suffering from sleep munches, raiding the frig while still asleep, and then not remembering it later.

And some state toxicology laboratories count Ambien among the top 10 drugs found in impaired drivers, some saying they don`t remember going out for a drive after taking an Ambien pill. If you have to wonder whether in certain cases it`s just oh honey, I know I`m not supposed to be eating little Janie`s cupcakes, but I don`t remember doing it or officer, I have no idea why I ran into that tree. I just -- I don`t remember it.

I`m not saying it`s not true, but I certainly want to read those scientific papers closely. And even those who don`t take Ambien could be in danger in their beds tonight. "Details" magazine reporting in its new issue on sexsomnia. Quote -- "Sexual behavior driven by abnormal arousal during deep sleep."

Abnormal arousal. Again, I am dubious, particularly when you read this from the article. Quote -- "It is thought to be rooted in genetics, but controllable factors like sleep deprivation, stress, drug or alcohol use can also play a role." Think in non-medical terms, that is also known as beer goggles, but I guess some will be relieved to hear there is a scientific explanation for sleeping during sexual activity.

Look, sometimes this is all too serious. Some men have been using it as a legal defense saying they don`t remember sexually assaulting women, the sexsomnia defense. While it`s worked on occasion, many still look at it the way I do, skeptically. There is a lot we still have to learn about sleep and the effects it may have before the “I was sleeping when I did it” defense becomes reliable.

back to home page