Insomnia

Insomnia can cause problems during the day, such as excessive sleepiness, fatigue, trouble thinking clearly or staying focused, or feeling depressed or irritable. It is not defined by the number of hours you sleep every night. Although the amount of sleep a person needs varies, most people need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep a night.

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a condition in which it is difficult to get to sleep, or to remain soundly asleep, resulting in too short and too low-quality sleep which affects normal functioning. It causes fatigue and daytime sleepiness. It may be classified as acute, lasting a few days or weeks, or chronic, when it lasts longer than a month.

Insomnia Causes

Insomnia Symptoms

Insomnia Treatment

Insomnia in Pregnancy

Promoting Sounder Sleep in Older Adults

Insomnia in Children

Sleep-Onset Insomnia

Causes of Sleep-Onset Insomnia

Treatment of Sleep-Onset Insomnia

Middle of the Night Insomnia

Middle of the Night Insomnia and Biphasic Sleeping

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Treatment of Middle-of-the-Night Insomnia

Screen Time and Insomnia

Latest Insomnia News and Research

‘They won’t help me’: Sickest patients face insurance denials despite policy fixes

Sheldon Ekirch spends a lot of time on hold with her health insurance company. Sometimes, as the minutes tick by and her frustration mounts, Ekirch, 30, opens a meditation app on her phone. It was recommended by her psychologist to help with the depression associated with a stressful and painful medical disorder.

31 Mar 2025

Study: Witnessing trauma triggers unique brain changes

For years, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been studied primarily in people who experience trauma firsthand.

18 Mar 2025

Night shifts and sleep debt linked to higher infection risk in nurses

Researchers determine how sleep duration, sleep debt, and shift work impact the risk of infections among Norwegian nurses.

13 Mar 2025

Study: Poor sleep quality may increase susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs

A new study from the University of Nottingham has revealed that poor sleep quality may increase susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs, with depression likely playing a key role in this relationship.

12 Mar 2025

Study finds no link between Medicaid expansion and opioid misuse

A new study has found that extending state Medicaid coverage did not increase the likelihood of prescription opioid or benzodiazepine misuse among people who use drugs.

11 Mar 2025

Shift work and sleep debt increase infection risk in nurses

A new study examining the effects of sleep patterns and shift work on the immune system has found that sleep debt and night shifts increase the risk of several common infections in nurses.

10 Mar 2025

Lack of sleep and insomnia may raise teenagers’ risk for hypertension

Teenagers who do not get the recommended amount of sleep may be at an increased risk for high blood pressure, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2025.

6 Mar 2025

Muscle strengthening exercise may help tackle insomnia in older adults

Resistance or muscle strengthening exercise, using weights or the body itself, may be the best type of exercise for tackling insomnia in older age, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available research, published in the open access journal Family Medicine and Community Health.

4 Mar 2025

New study confirms GLP-1 medications are safe for mental health in diabetes

Researchers assess whether GLP-1 receptor agonists increase the risk of suicide, self-harm, or suicidal ideation in type 2 diabetes patients.

2 Mar 2025

The Future of CBD research, marketing, and regulation

In this interview, Professor Ted Dinan, Medical Director at Atlantia Clinical Trials, and Asa Waldstein, Principal at Supplement Advisory Group, discuss Atlantia’s expertise in clinical trials for CBD.

From Atlantia Clinical Trials 28 Feb 2025

FDA-approved technology offers personalized treatment for Parkinson’s symptoms

Starting today, people with Parkinson's disease will have a new treatment option, thanks to U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of groundbreaking new technology.

24 Feb 2025

Understanding the risks of taking Z-drugs for insomnia

ZZZZZ. Remember sleeping through the night? Not lately?

24 Feb 2025

Understanding the causes and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea

Do you feel tired or have a headache when you wake up in the morning? Something might be going wrong while you sleep that you don't know about: obstructive sleep apnea (pronounced app-nee-uh).

24 Feb 2025

Workplace bullying linked to sleep problems in employees and their partners

Workplace bullying affects not only the employee's sleep but their partner's too, according to new research published today.

22 Feb 2025

Can chili peppers improve ADHD symptoms? Scientists explore their gut-brain connection

Chili peppers may influence ADHD symptoms by modulating the gut microbiome, with capsaicin, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids showing potential effects on neurotransmitters and inflammation. However, clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy.

20 Feb 2025

Physical activity improves sleep quality in older adults during social isolation

A new research paper was published in Aging (Aging-US) on January 15, 2025, in Volume 17, Issue 1, titled "Association between physical activity practice and sleep quality of older people in social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and Health Guidelines and future studies for the post-COVID period: a systematic review."

11 Feb 2025

Mental health drives med student dropout rate

Around 1 in 5 UK medical students considers dropping out of medical school, with mental health issues a key contributor to their intention to abandon medicine, suggest the results of an observational study published in the open access journal BMJ Open.

11 Feb 2025