Sleep cassette tapes, popular in the 1980s, have become audio CDs in the new millennium. The efficacy of sleep supporting audio CDs and related products remains unclear. Some users find they sleep better and others find the 'noise' more distracting.
About Sleep Cassette Tapes
In the mid-1980s, the self-help industry grew by leaps and bounds. Among the more popular offerings for the sleep deprived were sleep cassette tapes. The tapes utilized classical music, sounds of nature or combination of the two to create a soothing and restful melody that would lull the active mind to sleep. As science and technology advanced, embedding layers into the music promoted the theory of subliminal messages. While subliminal messages are not scientifically proven to have any lasting effect, the benefit of most sleep tapes and CDs is found in the faith their users place in them.
Hundreds of sleep tapes and CDs are available at bookstores, music stores and online stores. Most are packaged at reasonable prices. The advice on the back of one promised a good night's sleep if the user played the CD in a cool, dark room with no other ambient noises. The CD promised relaxation from the hustle and bustle of the day while the sound of the ocean rolling gently towards the shore swept the worries away.
Insomnia Cures
Remedies for insomnia are found everywhere. Fitness instructors promise better sleep if you exercise more. Nutritionists list a healthy diet and cutting some foods out in the hours before sleep to facilitate a good night's sleep. A pharmacist may recommend an over the counter sleep aid and a physician may send you for a sleep study to see if you are suffering from a sleep disorder.
Insomnia cures are a dime a dozen because so many different factors can interfere with a person's ability to get a good night's rest. A car alarm beeping three blocks away can insinuate itself into your awareness and make drifting off elusive. Sleep tapes and CDs offer an alternative to environmental noises such as traffic, people in the household and animals. If your partner is a heavy breather or snores, a sleep CD and a set of headphones may help you drift off without asking them to roll over constantly.
Placebo Effect
The discerning shopper is advised to invest in a healthy amount of skepticism when investing in sleep support materials such as audio cassettes or CDs. Sounds can cause arousal, be disturbing or prevent the natural sleep cycle. Sleep tapes are not for everyone and what works for one person may not work for another.
Sleep tapes are relatively harmless and they can mimic how hypnosis works to treat sleeplessness. Don't believe everything stated on the packaging and don't rush out to buy a product based on the promotional promises. If you are interested in experimenting with a tape or CD as a sleep aid, check out the reviews of other users. If you suspect you have a serious sleep disorder or problem, consult your physician and don't rely on sleep aids alone.
