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To bed with pill

Similarly, fatties want to lose weight and skinnies dream of putting some flesh on their bones; tall people wish they were a bit short and short people try to look tall with instant height-increase footwear; some shave off their heads whereas baldies wear wigs; black-haired women perm their locks, and blondes and brunettes feel jealous of each other, so on and so forth.

The dichotomy that is evident in every aspect of our existence has now entered the realm of medical research. While some scientists are burning the midnight oil to develop pills that can keep people awake for several days, some researchers are losing sleep over the way Americans are buying pills to get a few hours of night rest. Though the pills’ purpose is exactly opposite to each other, what they have in common is to tackle the two peculiar problems arising out of our life in the fast lane.

For the Gen Next, in 24 /7 lifestyle, an eight-hour sleep is not only unhealthy, but also a waste of time. They need all the day-night hours to work, party and enjoy. Whereas the same lifestyle is straining some people so much that they yearn for some night sleep, which they can’t get unless they pop in a pill before hitting the bed. That’s what worries experts. According to an American survey, 42 million sleeping pill prescriptions were filled last year, a 60 per cent increase in five years. Experts fear doctors are disregarding the long-term side effects of sleeping pills, including dependence, while prescribing them. Another concern is the aggressive marketing of new generation sleeping pills claiming little after-effects. But the reported problems include temporary amnesia and sleepwalking.

While people expend millions for a sound slumber, an equal or more than that amount is being spent on developing a 24-hour lifestyle pill to allow people sleep only for two hours, without compromising any of the benefits a good quality sleep will have. In fact, scientists involved in the research claim that the two-hour night sleep will be deep and more refreshing than the usual one. That may be good news for the night birds, but not to national planners.

Imagine the extra resources a country needs to keep millions occupied six to eight hours more every day! Then, leaders need both the pills — one to keep them awake for planning, and another not to lose sleep over it.