“I’d rather you take a shot of whiskey than take an over-the-counter sleep aid.” Sleep specialist Dr. Michael Breus (@thesleepdoctor ) joined @thedanbuettnerpodcast to discuss a serious risk sitting in millions of medicine cabinets: chronic reliance on nighttime sleep aids. Many popular over-the-counter formulas (often labeled “PM” or “ZZZ”) rely on diphenhydramine, the active antihistamine in Benadryl. While they induce drowsiness, research links regular, long-term use to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. In the world’s Blue Zones, restorative rest is not forced with a pill. It is built naturally into the daily rhythm through the Power 9 principle of Downshifting: natural movement during the day, light evening meals, dim lighting after sunset, and consistent wind-down rituals. Before reaching for a nightly sedative, look at your environment. Designing a soothing evening routine helps your body relax on its own. Full episode linked in bio. What is your go-to r...