Sleep Lab:
Investigating sleep disorders and conditions, all grounded in expert insight and the latest research
Composed for calm: The rise of sleep music technology
In medieval Europe, the word “lullaby” emerged from the soothing repetition of “lullen” (to lull) and “bye-bye,” while a more mystical theory links it to the Hebrew phrase “Lilith-Abi”—a protective incantation to keep demons at bay. Fast-forward to today, and the...
Sleep tech: Better rest or more stress?
In an age of sleep optimisation, newly developed devices offer the promise of perfect sleep, but do they work? According to a global report, the sleep tracker industry was valued at over $30 billion in 2023, a figure forecasted to reach $75 billion by 2032. ...
Somniphobia and the fear of dying in your sleep
Somniphobia is the fear of sleep. In extreme cases, a fear of dying in your sleep. It causes a deep sense of anxiety as bedtime approaches, and those suffering tend to put off sleeping, often experiencing severe distress and sometimes panic attacks. Neel Syed, a...
I thought I had insomnia but it was diabetes
For months, Josh Bachu lay awake in the stillness of his room, his mind racing as the hours ticked by with what he thought was insomnia. He’d seen doctors and tried all sorts of remedies, bedtime routines, calming teas, even sleeping pills, but nothing was a permanent...
OCD intrusive thoughts: More than just a bad dream
After a long day, many of us look forward to unwinding in bed, lights off, rolling over, and shutting off from the world. However, it’s not always easy for those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), with nighttime often being something they dread or even avoid....
Sexsomnia: The defence for drunken men?
Is ‘sexsomnia’ a genuine medical disorder or the latest ‘get out of jail free card’? As its use as a legal defence grows, experts are raising alarm over its potential misuse. In 2011, Joseph Short was found not guilty of raping and physically assaulting a...
Polyphasic sleep: The new 8 hours?
In a world that never slows down, sleep can feel like wasted time. Polyphasic sleep promises to maximise productivity whilst cutting rest, but at what cost? Thomas Edison once said, “Sleep is a criminal waste of time and a heritage from our cave days.” As a society,...