Key Points

  • Sleep disruption often signals deeper mental health issues, requiring treatment beyond traditional remedies.
  • A medication-free alternative that can improve sleep by addressing underlying brain function.
  • Quality sleep is fundamental to physical repair, emotional stability, and cognitive performance.
  • Persistent insomnia warrants professional help, especially when it affects daily functioning and mood.

What experiencing a lack of sleep is really like

It's another one of those nights. You lay in bed, frustration rising because no matter what you do, you can't sleep. Your sound machine is going, your leg is kicked out from under the comforter to stay cool, you focus on quieting your mind, and you feel intensely exhausted. All day, you've been excited to crawl into bed and fall into a luxurious, restorative sleep. You even prepped with your non-caffeinated calming tea, and it did nothing to usher in slumber.

Tossing and turning every 30 minutes, you realize it's been hours of the same. It's now three in the morning, you need to be up at six for work, and your thoughts can only swirl around how tired and depleted you are going to feel all day. The sounds of the waking city, along with the first rays of the rising sun, start creeping into your room, and you finally accept the hard truth. You are not going to fall asleep. Admitting defeat, you pick up your phone and scroll.

Doesn't everyone experience this?

The inability to sleep, whether falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early, is one of the hardest things to deal with. Almost all of us have experienced a form of insomnia, but a select few deal with sleep disturbances chronically. For these individuals, the issue is never an absence of feeling tired, it's always the inability to fall asleep and or stay asleep every single night.

What causes insomnia or a chronic lack of sleep?

Stress

Excessive stress increases your cortisol levels and makes it hard to fall asleep.

Mental illness

If you experience a mental illness, one of your symptoms may be insomnia or sleeping too much. Contrary to most people's beliefs, too much sleep, similar to a lack of sleep, can cause excessive daytime exhaustion and leave you with low energy.

Caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol

Excessive or late in the day use of caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol can cause sleep disturbances.

Health conditions

Health conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, Alzheimer's, and more can disrupt sleep. These conditions cause insomnia due to various reasons.

Sleep hygiene

Maintaining good sleep hygiene — such as keeping a regular sleep schedule, avoiding screens before bed, and creating a relaxing bedtime routine — helps regulate your circadian rhythm. Disruptions to this rhythm, like irregular bedtimes or excessive nighttime light exposure, can lead to poor sleep quality, making it harder to fall and stay asleep.

TMS to treat lack of sleep

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-pharmacological treatment that helps with depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. TMS was originally developed to map the brain and figure out what parts are responsible for which functions. With advancements in neuroscience, TMS evolved into an effective treatment that focally targets magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. The magnetic pulses restore and improve the way neurons fire and function. TMS treatments are non-invasive, non-sedating, and last less than 20 minutes. TMS therapy is a huge benefit for individuals who are busy and desire a treatment option that will not interfere with their day-to-day lives and activities.

If your insomnia is linked to a mental illness, TMS can improve your overall symptoms, leading to improved sleep. If poor sleep is not a symptom of another mental health or physical condition but is a primary sleep disorder, TMS has demonstrated efficacy for primary insomnia. TMS is considered an off-label treatment for insomnia and can provide more restful sleep.9

Why TMS for restoring sleep?

When people seek help for insomnia, medications are often the first treatment offered. However, many sleep aids have significant side effects, including dizziness, morning grogginess, headache, dry mouth, and weight gain. Sleep aids are also not for long-term use as they are known to cause physical dependence.

Sometimes, anti-depressants that cause drowsiness as a side effect are prescribed off-label for sleep. Medications do not work for everyone, and that can leave you feeling hopeless; this is where TMS may help.

TMS may be an option for you if medications are ineffective, you are tired of experiencing debilitating side effects, or you prefer a more holistic approach to treatment.

Quite a few studies have been conducted looking at the effectiveness of TMS therapy on insomnia. The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine published a study on the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on sleep quality and mood in patients with major depressive disorder. It concluded that mood and sleep quality improved after TMS treatment.1

Another study was found on the National Library of Medicine titled The Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Insomnia: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis. This study concluded that TMS may be a safe and effective option for insomnia.4

Why is sleep even that important?

Adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining a stable mood and for supporting physical health, energy, and focus. When you are rested, it's easier to not only accomplish the tasks you have but to have enough energy to properly take care of your body. When you don't get enough sleep, even something like making yourself a nutritious meal can fall to the wayside. This, in turn, causes a ripple effect that can permeate into different areas of your life.

Sleep is also a time for the body to repair itself by removing toxins. Sleep is most important for repair, but the need to rest our brain is critical to function.6

What treatments exist for improved sleep?

Trying every avenue for improved sleep is vital for long-term success.

Below are some holistic options to consider:5

When to seek professional help

While occasional sleep difficulties are normal, persistent insomnia warrants professional attention. Your body sends important signals when:

Professional guidance can break the exhausting cycle of sleepless nights and help restore the quality rest your mind and body need.

More sleep with TMS therapy

Remember that seeking help for sleep problems demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to your health. Additionally, trying different holistic approaches and talking to your doctor are steps you can take to improve your sleep. We wish you less-exhausting days and more restful nights on the journey to sleep restoration.

References

  1. Collins, Andrea R., et al. "Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Sleep Quality and Mood in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder." Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 22 Dec. 2021. doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.9846
  2. Harvard Medical School. "Why Sleep Matters: Benefits of Sleep." 2021.
  3. Kweon, Jamie, et al. "Effect of Sleep Quality on Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Outcomes in Depression." Frontiers in Psychiatry, 23 Sept. 2024. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1458696
  4. Sun, Nianyi, et al. "The Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Sleep Medicine, May 2020. doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2020.05.020
  5. Suni, Eric, and Abhinav Singh. "20 Tips for How to Sleep Better." Sleep Foundation, 8 Dec. 2023.
  6. Wein, Harrison. "Good Sleep for Good Health." NIH News in Health, 2021.
  7. "What Are Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency?" National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 24 Mar. 2022.
  8. Zhou, Qi, et al. "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Patients with Chronic Insomnia: A Case Report." Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 27 Aug. 2022. doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.10272