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insomnia

The image shows a young adult female sleeping.

·January 5, 2015·2 min read

Twin Study Suggests Genetic Factors Contribute to Insomnia in Children and Teens

New research into twins finds insomnia in adolescence and childhood could be explained by genetic factors, at least in part.

This shows the outline of a person with whisps of color coming from their head.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 29, 2026·10 min read

Why Your Brain “Dreams” Even When You’re Awake

Researchers have identified four distinct mental states that occur regardless of whether we are asleep or awake, revealing a "neural fingerprint" for bizarre, dream-like thoughts that can surface even in the middle of the day.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 21, 2022·4 min read

A Consistent Lack of Sleep Negatively Impacts Immune Stem Cells, Increasing Risk of Inflammatory Disorders and Heart Disease

Sleep deprivation alters the structure of DNA inside immune cells and increases the number of immune cells, which causes them to overreact and spark inflammation. The study found catching up on sleep does not reverse this effect.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 3, 2025·4 min read

Shared Brain Circuit Links Insomnia, Anxiety, and Depression

A large brain imaging study suggests that insomnia, depression, and anxiety—often co-occurring—share overlapping brain abnormalities. Researchers found reduced cortical surface area, smaller thalamic volume, and weaker brain connectivity across all three disorders, while each also displayed unique neural patterns.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 14, 2018·5 min read

Poor Sleep Triggers Viral Loneliness and Social Rejection

A new study reveals a link between sleep deprivation and heightened feelings of social isolation. Researchers report sleep loss blunts activity in the brain that normally encourages social engagement.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·February 25, 2019·5 min read

Brain Cells Involved in Insomnia Identified

A new study identifies 956 genetic variants that contribute to an increased risk of insomnia. Researchers also identified the brain areas, biological processes and cell types that mediate the genetic risk of insomnia.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 22, 2017·3 min read

Sleep Disorders Affect Men and Women Differently

Study reveals women who experience difficulties sleeping are more likely to feel tired and depressed than men.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 6, 2023·5 min read

Insomnia Drug May Ward Off Opioid Relapse

A recent study highlights a new benefit of quality sleep: deterring opioid relapse. In the study, rats undergoing oxycodone withdrawal received an experimental insomnia treatment.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 18, 2019·5 min read

How sleepless nights compromise the health of your gut

Study reveals the function of specific immune cells, well documented as playing a significant role in gut health, is directly controlled by our circadian clock.

The image shows the brain structures associated with fear and stress in PTSD.

Featured Psychology

·June 28, 2013·3 min read

Pre-existing Symptoms of Insomnia Linked to the Development of PTSD and Other Mental Disorders, Following Military Deployment

A new study shows members of the military who have trouble sleeping prior to deployment are at greater risk of developing PTSD when they return home.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·June 23, 2026·9 min read

Sleep Deprivation Increases Synaptic Density Markers in the Brain

A study using PET imaging shows that 28 hours of sleep deprivation significantly increases SV2A, a marker for synaptic density, in the human hippocampus and thalamus, supporting the theory that sleep is structurally required to reset neural connections.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 19, 2020·5 min read

Less sleep reduces positive feelings

People experience a flattening of emotions following a single night of poor sleep. Researchers also found a link between sleep deprivation, learning, and reaction time.