Scientists have explained the inability of the brain to switch off at night with insomnia

Australian scientists have found that people with chronic insomnia have a disrupted natural 24-hour rhythm of mental activity, which can prevent the brain from switching to night mode. This was reported by Medical Xpress magazine on November 26.

Insomnia affects about 10% of the total population and up to 33% of the elderly. Many patients report "running thoughts" and increased activity before bedtime. Until now, this has been associated with cognitive hyperexcitability, but the exact source of such thought patterns remained unclear.

The researchers tested whether the brain's failure to reduce activity at night could be a consequence of circadian rhythm disturbances. Under strict laboratory control, 32 elderly volunteers, including 16 people with insomnia and the same number with healthy sleep, spent 24 hours awake in bed. The experiment was conducted in dim light, with a fixed power supply and minimal activity. Every hour, the participants evaluated the nature of their thoughts.

Diurnal fluctuations in cognitive activity were observed in both groups. The peak was observed in the afternoon, and the decline in the morning. However, patients with insomnia showed important features.

"Unlike people with good sleep, whose cognitive state predictably switched from problem solving during the day to detachment at night, people with insomnia did not experience such a significant decrease in activity. Their thought process remained more daytime at night, when the brain should calm down," said Kurt Lashington, lead researcher and professor at the University of South Australia.

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In addition, the peak activity in this group was shifted by almost 6.5 hours, which indicates that their internal clocks can maintain a state of alert thinking deep into the night hours.

The specialist emphasized that sleep is not just about closing your eyes, but the brain's ability to disconnect from purposeful analysis and emotional involvement. According to him, research shows that with insomnia, this process is weakened and delayed, probably due to circadian rhythm disturbances.

Co—author Professor Jill Dorrian emphasized that new approaches to treatment are now becoming apparent - methods that enhance circadian signals. According to her, it can be the correct distribution of light during the day and structured daily routines that will help restore the natural rhythm of mental activity. She emphasized that mindfulness practice is also able to calm the mind before bedtime.

The authors of the study claim that traditional methods of insomnia therapy mainly rely on behavioral techniques. However, new data indicate that a combined approach that takes into account both circadian and cognitive mechanisms may be the most effective.

Earlier, on November 26, somnologist Elena Kolesnichenko and Arlight experts spoke about the effect of lighting on sleep. It was clarified that bright evening light suppresses the production of melatonin and shifts the biological clock, since at this time of day the human eyes and nervous system are especially sensitive to it.

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