A type of medication that is used to treat insomnia is known as sleeping pills. The most commonly used sleeping pills are the benzodiazepines (such such as Valium and Ativan) as well as barbiturates (such as Phenobarbital), and nonbenzodiazepine sedatives (such as Restoril and Zolpidem). The neurons in the brain that control wakefulness and arousal are inhibited by sleeping pills. This means that people who take sleeping pills can sleep longer and more soundly which helps them fall asleep and stay asleep more easily.