Insomnia Linked to Delayed Brain Clock That Hinders Nighttime Wind-Down
Australian researchers find chronic insomnia may stem from a delayed brain circadian clock that prevents the mind from winding down at night. In a 24-hour lab study with 32 older adults, insomniacs showed weaker nighttime disengagement and about a 6.5-hour delay in cognitive peaks, indicating circadian misalignment; the work suggests circadian-focused treatments such as timed light exposure, structured routines, and mindfulness could help restore night-time brain downshifting beyond standard behavioral therapies.
