What Does Science Tell Us About Sleep Health?

Mass General Researchers Share the Science of Sleep Health

By Marcela Quintanilla-Dieck | Communicating Science, Medicine, Sleep Medicine | 0 comment | 12 March, 2024 | 0

March 10-16 2024 is Sleep Health Awareness Week.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 50-70 million Americans have sleep disorders and one in three adults do not regularly get the recommended amount of sleep.

Lack of sleep has been associated negative physical and mental health and can impact our memory, attention and ability to learn.

In recognition of the need for better sleep health, we asked investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital what they’ve learned through their research into sleep and human health:

Amit Chopra, MBBS, DFAPA
Physician Investigator
Department of Psychiatry
Massachusetts General Hospital

“Chronic insomnia is now a recognized risk factor for the development of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults, children and adolescents. It can worsen symptom severity and lead to poor treatment outcomes in patients with MDD.

Our study has shown that deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment, can improve both insomnia and depression outcomes in adult patients who failed multiple medication trials for treatment of MDD.

Elizabeth B. Klerman, MD, PhD
Physician Investigator
Department of Neurology
Massachusetts General Hospital

“Our research shows that you can't sleep ‘too much.’ If you are tired, you should sleep — especially if you didn't have enough sleep on a day when you go to work or school.

If you are still tired after being in bed more than 8 hours — or if your bed partner says you snore loudly, stop breathing, or kick during sleep — please visit a sleep clinic for an evaluation.”

Hassan S. Dashti, PhD, RD
Investigator
Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine
Massachusetts General Hospital

“Sleep is central to human health and wellbeing.

However, how long we sleep and how well we sleep is very often affected by diseases.

Prioritizing sleep and following healthy sleep practices during illness can expedite your recovery and lower pain sensitivity.”

Jonathan Rosand, MD, MSc
Co-Founder,
McCance Center for Brain Health
Physician Investigator.
Department of Neurology
Massachusetts General Hospital

“Good sleep is part of brain care. It reduces our risk of stroke. It can even protect us from losing our memory as we age.

The first question I always ask is, ’Do you snore?’ Snoring is common in men and women as we get older and affects our quality of sleep. If you do snore, the first step is to sleep on your side. Often, that will stop the snoring.

If the snoring persists, then it is time to consult your doctor.”

Kevin Gipson, MD, MS
Physician-Investigator
Mass General for Children

“Sleep is one of the most important aspects of a child’s life.

Sleep disruption is implicated in emotional, cognitive, and physical health problems for children and adolescents.

Parents should speak with their child's pediatrician if there are concerns about sleep quality and its effects.”

John W. Winkelman MD, PhD
Chief, Sleep Disorders Clinical Research Program
Massachusetts General Hospital

“People with opioid use disorder have significant sleep disturbance during opioid detoxification.

This is often caused by severe symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS), which is frequently not recognized by the treatment team.

However, when RLS is independently treated it may allow people with opioid use disorder to stay in treatment longer.”

Learn More About Sleep Health

Find more science-backed tips about sleep health from researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and other institutions at Mass General Brigham.

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Mass General Researchers Share the Science of Sleep Health

Learn More About Sleep Health

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