If you've been watching the news over the past year, you might've noticed what looks like an uptick in celebrity Ambien usage. Roseanne Barr and Elon Musk are the most notorious suspects.
So what's the deal? Is it addictive? Does it make you do stupid stuff?
Well, the answer is to both questions, is yes. Pretty much. Well, sort of.
Ambien (brand name for the generic drug "Zolpidem") is qualified as a "hypnotic" drug, meaning that it is designed to help people fall asleep. But a reliance on the excellent effectiveness of the drug also makes it potentially addictive, which is why users should always be taking the medication under the auspices of a doctor.
As far as making people do stupid stuff, it works somewhat similarly to the way alcohol removes inhibitions. It doesn't make you say anything you don't already think. What it does is remove the wall the prevents you from saying that stuff.
Dr. Ray Casciari called into the show to talk with Tim about the benefits and dangers of Ambien.
Unbeknownst to many, Tim himself took half a dose of the little blue pill to help with his insomnia.
"Ambien Is The Best Drug I Have Ever Taken"
- Tim Conway, Jr.
Listen to the interview in full in the Spreaker player below:
Read more about "Ambien-Tweeting" over at NBC.