Which statement correctly describes the Sleep parameters for Benzodiazepines?

• A. Sleep Latency increases, Sleep Efficiency decreases, REM increases
• B. Sleep Latency decreases, Sleep Efficiency increases, REM decreases
• C. Sleep Latency decreases, Sleep Efficiency decreases, REM increases
• D. Sleep Latency increases, Sleep Efficiency increases, REM decreases

Answer: (B)

Benzodiazepines promote sleep by enhancing GABA-A receptor activity, which makes it easier to fall asleep and keeps sleep more continuous, while also dampening REM sleep. That's why the statement describing shorter time to fall asleep (sleep latency decreases), better sleep continuity (sleep efficiency increases), and reduced REM sleep (REM decreases) fits best. The drugs tend to make you fall asleep faster, you spend a higher proportion of time in bed actually asleep, and they suppress REM sleep, leading to a smaller amount of REM during the night. The other profiles would imply increased REM or worsened sleep continuity, which doesn’t align with the typical sleep architecture effect of benzodiazepines.