Are you sure you want to make this a matter of a poll, lol. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzodiazepine#Insomnia This is what is the standart poison on insomnia/anxiety. First of all everyone reacts differently to herbals. Some people will sleep fine after valeria, some won`t. i for myself can drink coffee right before bed and sleep well. black tea strangely affects me more though. People going "crazy" on sleeping meds would have likely gone crazy otherwise, too. Taken with percaution they can help you through difficult times. But i strongly recommend to you visiting a doctor on this subject!!! The new Benzodiazepines replaced the old Barbiturates explicitely because they are less dangerous and addictive. Sleeping Pills should be your last resort after: - having considered your mental state (why can`t you sleep?) - tried changing your lifestyle (food, exercises) - get a regular day schedule to teach your body when to get tired But as stated before i see no harm in you taking a sleeping pill a day in the wake of exams when you really need the sleep. Just keep in mind that yes there is a danger to addiction and that Benzodiazepines have a habituation effect. Speaking if you take those things for too long a period in too high a dosage you will need ever more to get the desired effects. good luck to you! sucks to be insomniatic :/