Ambien (generic name: zolpidem) is a prescription medication used to treat insomnia, helping individuals who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. As a sedative-hypnotic, Ambien works by affecting chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with sleep disorders. It is classified as a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic, and its primary function is to enhance the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter in the brain, which induces a calming effect. This promotes relaxation and helps facilitate sleep.