Sleep | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/sleep/RSS feed for SleepenTue, 18 Aug 2026 19:18:35 +0000This Newly Approved Narcolepsy Drug Is the First to Target the Sleep Disorder's Root Cause Rather Than Its Symptomshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-newly-approved-narcolepsy-drug-is-the-first-to-target-the-sleep-disorders-root-cause-rather-than-its-symptoms-180989362/The Food and Drug Administration just greenlit a medication called Orzeyful for the treatment of narcolepsy type 1 in adults. The condition is caused by the loss of brain cells that produce orexin, a chemical important for regulating the sleep-wake cycleTue, 18 Aug 2026 19:18:35 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-newly-approved-narcolepsy-drug-is-the-first-to-target-the-sleep-disorders-root-cause-rather-than-its-symptoms-180989362/Fish and Humans Share Surprisingly Similar Sleep Habits, Including Daytime Napshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fish-and-humans-share-surprisingly-similar-sleep-habits-including-daytime-naps-180988985/A recent study suggests that zebrafish have four sleep substates, just like humans do—and one of them is akin to an afternoon snoozeMon, 22 Jun 2026 20:35:03 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fish-and-humans-share-surprisingly-similar-sleep-habits-including-daytime-naps-180988985/Vivid Dreams Might Be Key to Feeling Well Rested When You Wake Up, According to a New Studyhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/vivid-dreams-might-be-key-to-feeling-well-rested-when-you-wake-up-according-to-a-new-study-180988434/The findings could help explain the purpose of dreams and help physicians better treat people with sleep disordersThu, 26 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/vivid-dreams-might-be-key-to-feeling-well-rested-when-you-wake-up-according-to-a-new-study-180988434/Not Getting Enough Sleep? You Might Be Shortening Your Life Spanhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/not-getting-enough-sleep-you-might-be-shortening-your-lifespan-180988002/In the United States, insufficient sleep strongly correlates with life expectancy, even more than diet, exercise or social connections do, a new study suggestsTue, 13 Jan 2026 18:09:51 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/not-getting-enough-sleep-you-might-be-shortening-your-lifespan-180988002/Even Though They Don't Have Brains to Rest, Jellyfish and Sea Anemones Sleep Like Humanshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/even-though-they-dont-have-brains-jellyfish-and-sea-anemones-sleep-like-humans-180987966/Sleep may have evolved to help reduce DNA damage in nerve cells long before they became centralized in the brain, a study suggestsThu, 08 Jan 2026 14:27:42 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/even-though-they-dont-have-brains-jellyfish-and-sea-anemones-sleep-like-humans-180987966/How Do These ADHD Medications Work in the Brain? The Mechanisms Are Different Than Once Thought, a Study Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-do-these-adhd-medications-work-in-the-brain-the-mechanisms-are-different-than-once-thought-a-study-suggests-180987932/Adderall, Ritalin and other stimulants prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder seem to work on brain areas involved with wakefulness and reward, rather than attentionWed, 31 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-do-these-adhd-medications-work-in-the-brain-the-mechanisms-are-different-than-once-thought-a-study-suggests-180987932/At the Mysterious Boundary Between Waking Life and Sleep, What Happens in the Brain?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/at-the-mysterious-boundary-between-waking-life-and-sleep-what-happens-in-the-brain-180987703/Neuroscientists studying the shifts between sleep and awareness are finding many liminal states, which could help explain the disorders that can result when sleep transitions go wrongTue, 18 Nov 2025 16:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/at-the-mysterious-boundary-between-waking-life-and-sleep-what-happens-in-the-brain-180987703/Suffering From Sleep Apnea? Try Blowing Into a Conch Shell Almost Daily, New Study Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/suffering-from-sleep-apnea-try-blowing-into-a-conch-shell-almost-daily-new-study-suggests-180987158/Researchers say the practice might provide a simpler and low-cost alternative to the standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, though trials with more participants are neededWed, 13 Aug 2025 17:05:06 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/suffering-from-sleep-apnea-try-blowing-into-a-conch-shell-almost-daily-new-study-suggests-180987158/Need to Solve a Problem? Try Taking a Deep Power Nap for an 'Aha' Moment, Research Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/need-to-solve-a-problem-try-taking-a-deep-power-nap-for-an-aha-moment-research-suggests-180986901/A new study finds that entering N2 sleep—a deep phase of non-rapid eye movement sleep—may help lead to more “eureka” breakthroughsMon, 30 Jun 2025 19:27:23 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/need-to-solve-a-problem-try-taking-a-deep-power-nap-for-an-aha-moment-research-suggests-180986901/In a Study on Mice, Scientists Show How the Brain Washes Itself During Sleephttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-a-study-on-mice-scientists-show-how-the-brain-washes-itself-during-sleep-180985810/The brain's waste-removal process is "like turning on the dishwasher," a neurologist says, but common sleep medications may harm itFri, 10 Jan 2025 18:45:26 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-a-study-on-mice-scientists-show-how-the-brain-washes-itself-during-sleep-180985810/