Do perscription sleeping aids hinder growth? Nah, in fact they can help it in many ways. The key is just to be carefull. I for one like to cycle the med's based off the level of my insomnia. A good day I can drink a glass of milk and zone out on some Zen meditation tape. A bad day I might need to include a melatonin (time released) with a herbal tonic (valerian, hops, passion flower, etc..). And then on a realy bad day I have been know to take an Ambien, half a Xanie, and a melatonin. The trick is never have more than one really bad day per week and always have 2 good days natural sleep. - YOU DONT GROW IF YOU DONT SLEEP.