Diet High in Refined Carbs May Trigger Insomnia in Older Women

A new study finds that postmenopausal women who eat a diet high in refined carbohydrates, particularly added sugars, may be at greater risk for insomnia.  Click here to read further.

Sleeping pills reduce suicidal thoughts in patients with severe insomnia

Insomnia is a driver of suicide, and particularly people with severe insomnia may safely benefit from taking a sedative to help address their sleep problems as it reduces their suicidal thoughts, investigators report. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Lack of sleep could contribute to mental health problems, researchers reveal

Study finds therapy designed to treat insomnia also reduced paranoia and hallucinations, and improved depression and anxiety in patients. For news article click here

Fracture risk associated with melatonin and other hypnotics

New Medicines Evidence Commentary from NICE:

An observational cohort study has found that in people aged 45 years and over receiving 3 or more melatonin prescriptions was associated with an increased risk of fracture compared with no use of any hypnotic drugs. The study found that in a matched cohort receiving 2 or more prescriptions for ‘Z drug’ hypnotics was also associated with a similarly increased fracture risk.