Sleeping Pill Overdose How does an overdose of sleeping pills kill? What are the body's reactions to an overdose? In an article published in ScienceDaily, I read that "Sleeping pills owe half their benefit to the placebo effect". So what constituents of a sleeping pill, when taken in excess, lead to a negative reaction?

Some hypnotics — the active component of sleeping medications — act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which in turn depress breathing or respiration, especially when mixed with other drugs, such as alcohol.

If your breathing slows sufficiently and is arrested, as can be caused by an overdose of CNS depressants, your vital organs will be starved for oxygen, which in turn can lead to brain damage and — ultimately — death.