Chronotherapy for Depression Treats Suicidality

Peter Forster Insomnia Treatment, Major Depression, Treatments of Depression

Chronotherapy for depression may be a very fast and effective treatment for suicidality, according to a preliminary study just published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research. 10 inpatients received what was called “triple chronotherapy” and showed dramatic and rapid reductions in suicidal ideation and depression. Of course this is a very small sample and only one study. But it points …

Melatonin and Sleep

Peter Forster Basic Science, Insomnia, Insomnia Treatment, Psychobiology

What is the relationship between melatonin and sleep? And why are the results that people have from taking melatonin supplements to help induce sleep so variable? A recent article has suggested that the two melatonin receptors, melatonin one (M1) and melatonin two (M2) that have been shown to existing humans may have different effects on sleep. A quick review may …

New Drug with New Mechanism for Insomnia – Suvorexant

Peter Forster Insomnia, Insomnia Treatment

Belsomra (suvorexant) was approved earlier this week by the FDA for use as needed to treat difficulty in falling and staying asleep. ​ The drug blocks receptors for orexin – also known as hypocretin – the master hypothalamic regulator of the sleep-wake cycle. There are, in fact, two forms of orexin, A and B; hence it is a dual orexin …