Insomnia Keeps Brain in Daytime Mode

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Why Your Brain Won't Switch Off at Night: The Insomnia Clock Glitch Revealed

Tired of a racing mind stealing your sleep? A groundbreaking University of South Australia study uncovers why chronic insomnia keeps your brain locked in high-alert "daytime mode" deep into the night—it's not just stress, it's a circadian rhythm breakdown.​

Insomnia traps the brain in daytime mode—alert, restless, and unable to power down—turning night into an extension of wakefulness rather than a gateway to recovery.
Photo by Megan te Boekhorst on Unsplash

The Lab Discovery That Changes Everything

In a 24-hour "constant routine" experiment, 16 insomniacs and 16 good sleepers stayed awake in dim-lit bedrest, logging thoughts hourly on tone, quality, and control. Healthy brains peaked in afternoon problem-solving, then plunged to nighttime disengagement. Insomniacs? Peaks delayed by 6.5 hours, with blunted drops—staying goal-directed and emotionally engaged when they should power down.

Lead researcher Prof. Kurt Lushington explains: "Sleep demands brain detachment from racing thoughts. Insomnia's weak circadian signals trap you in prefrontal hyperarousal, fueling sequential, real-world thinking at bedtime." Published in Sleep Medicine, this first-of-its-kind mapping hits 10% of adults (33% seniors).​

Practical Fixes to Reset Your Rhythm

Co-author Prof. Jill Dorrian spotlights hope: timed morning light, strict routines, and mindfulness to amplify day-night mental shifts. Beyond behavioral tweaks, target this biology—strengthen cognitive-affective rhythms and curb nighttime sequencing for deeper rest.

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