"i experience insomnia in that my mind often does not &quot;turn off,&quot; i tend to keep thinking once i lay down in bed. over the counter sleep aids have been ineffective and leave me drowsy the day after. ambien turns off my mind and i sleep well. sometimes i wake up in about 5 to 6 hours, if i need a bit more sleep then i take a half pill (5 mg) for the remaining two extra hours of sleep that i need to feel well rested. i have had no side effects."