TL;DR: In a pooled review of 8 studies of 980 people with depression and sleep problems, sleep tests showed more deep sleep and less light sleep after taking trazodone than before. Compared with placebo, though, the deep-sleep gain was not clear, and drowsiness and dizziness were more common. Key Findings 8 studies, 980 people: 5 …
TL;DR: Across 5 small trials of 343 people after stroke, people who sat in bright morning light reported better sleep quality than comparison groups. But measured time awake at night showed no clear change, so the benefit may be more about how sleep feels. Key Findings 5 trials, 343 people: All gave light in the …
Cannabinoids Had Weak Evidence for Mental Disorders TL;DR: A Lancet Psychiatry review of randomized trials found little support for routine cannabinoid treatment in common mental disorders, despite possible weak signals in a few narrower conditions. Key Findings 54 randomized controlled trials were reviewed: The analysis covered 2,477 participants across mental disorders and substance-use disorders. Routine …
The Brain That Won’t Shut Down: How Fragmented REM Sleep Breeds Depression TL;DR: Chronic insomnia fragments REM sleep through persistent hyperarousal, preventing emotional memory consolidation and creating a vicious cycle that breeds depression—but cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia can break the cycle faster than antidepressants alone. Insomnia has a hidden mechanism. You lie awake for hours, …
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder affecting up to 15% of adults. While sedative medications are often prescribed, their long-term use can lead to dependence. As an alternative, antidepressants are widely used in clinical practice despite limited evidence supporting their efficacy and safety for insomnia. Key Facts: Insomnia affects up to 15% of adults, causing …
A new pilot study investigates using kava and valerian, two herbal remedies, to treat stress-induced insomnia. Key Facts: 24 patients with stress-induced insomnia took part in the 6-month crossover study. All patients took kava for 6 weeks, then valerian for 6 weeks, then a combination of both for 6 weeks. Both kava and valerian significantly …
Chamomile, a popular herbal tea, has frequently been associated with benefits for relaxation and sleep. A new systematic review and meta-analysis published in Phytotherapy Research comprehensively analyzes the clinical research on chamomile for anxiety, insomnia, and sleep quality. Key facts from this study: 12 randomized controlled trials with 965 total patients were included. Trials tested …
New research provides further evidence that insomnia is characterized by brain hyperarousal, even when controlling for symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study used electroencephalography (EEG) to measure daytime brain activity in patients with insomnia disorder compared to healthy controls. Key findings: Patients with insomnia disorder showed increased high-frequency beta and gamma brain wave activity …
Insomnia is a highly prevalent sleep disorder affecting up to 35% of the general population – and can significantly impair quality of life. Researchers have been investigating new non-pharmacological treatment options like transcranial electric stimulation (TES) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat insomnia symptoms. A new meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Psychiatry reviewed …
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine has found that the medication clonidine is more effective and safer than zopiclone for treating insomnia in people with chronic pain. Key findings: Clonidine provided better pain relief than zopiclone. Clonidine helped patients fall asleep faster. Patients felt more rested after taking clonidine compared …
