Author: IntraBalance

Melatonin Safety Guide: Should You Take It?

Posted on October 21, 2025 by - Sleep Health

Melatonin Safety Guide: Should You Take It?

In this episode, Dr. Nishi Bhopal MD addresses recent headlines surrounding melatonin mislabeling and safety. She dives into the accurate use of melatonin, its role as a chronobiotic, and the importance of precise dosing, especially in clinical settings. Learn about melatonin’s applications for various conditions such as circadian rhythm disorders and pediatric neurological conditions, and explore the latest research on its long-term safety. Dr. Bhopal also shares insights from her clinical practice, discusses the variability in melatonin supplement labeling, and offers guidance on selecting high-quality, third-party tested brands. Subscribe for more practical clinical sleep medicine insights.

Ayurvedic Routines for Sleep — Psychiatrist & Sleep Doctor Explains

Posted on October 21, 2025 by - Sleep Health

Ayurvedic Routines for Sleep — Psychiatrist & Sleep Doctor Explains

Join us for a discussion with Drs. Judith Pentz MD and Nishi Bhopal MD on Ayurvedic rituals for better sleep. Dr. Pentz shares her unique perspective as an integrative psychiatrist and dives into Ayurvedic practices such as morning and evening routines, the importance of understanding your dosha, and the role of nutrition and herbs like ashwagandha. Learn about self-care routines, the significance of circadian rhythms, if Ayurveda is evidence-based, and how Ayurveda aligns with modern sleep science. Don’t miss out on valuable tips for managing anxiety and promoting overall wellbeing.

CBT-i Only Works If You Do This

Posted on October 21, 2025 by - Sleep Health

CBT-i Only Works If You Do This

We all see patients struggling with insomnia, but implementing CBT-I (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia) in real-world practice can feel daunting, especially when you’re not a sleep specialist.
I remember my first time recommending “sleep restriction” to a patient.

The look of panic on her face made me question if I was helping or just adding to their anxiety.
In fact, sleep restriction is often the thing that scares people away from CBT-i or leads to non-adherence with treatment.

This is where the art of clinical practice comes in: meeting patients where they are.
This week, I sat down with Dr. Parky Lau PhD, a sleep psychologist at Stanford, to talk about how to make CBT-I practical, flexible, and patient-centered, even for clinicians who don’t do this every day.

In this episode, Dr. Lau shares:

  • How to build a case formulation for insomnia (and why it matters)
  • How to practically implement time in bed restriction (and why he prefers that term over “sleep restriction”)
  • Practical analogies (like pizza dough and finger trap) to help patients understand sleep
  • How to adapt CBT-I for menopause and bipolar disorder
  • Tips for supporting patients who are anxious, perfectionistic, or dependent on sleep aids
  • How to build flexibility and empathy into a successful treatment plan
  • And more…

When your next patient mentions insomnia, you’ll have practical tools from this video to guide your clinical thinking.

Did you learn something today? Click here to find out how Learner+ can help you meet your evolving educational goals.

References:
Walker J, Muench A, Perlis ML, Vargas I. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I): A Primer. Klin Spec Psihol. 2022;11(2):123-137. doi: 10.17759/cpse.2022110208. PMID: 36908717; PMCID: PMC10002474.

3 Steps to End Sleep Anxiety

Posted on September 25, 2025 by - Sleep Health

One of the most common misconceptions about insomnia is that it’s just a matter of bad sleep hygiene.

But many of your patients with chronic insomnia have better sleep hygiene than anyone you know…and they’re still lying awake.

Here’s why: insomnia isn’t all about bad habits.

It’s more like a phobia.

The brain has learned to fear the very experience of being awake at night.

So people end up cycling through one sleeping pill or supplement after another, or trying gadgets and all the “sleep hacks” they heard about on podcasts, but it doesn’t get any better.

The paradox is that the harder patients try to “fix” it, the worse it gets.

In my new video, I share how I explain sleep anxiety to patients, plus 3 strategies that work far better than piling on more rules about caffeine and blue light.

It’s less than 5 minutes, designed for both clinicians and patients, and part 2 of a short series I’m creating on insomnia.

Feel free to share it directly with anyone in your care who’s caught in the cycle of sleep anxiety.

And if you (or your patients) want to go deeper, I’m teaching a free masterclass on how to quiet racing thoughts and sleep through the night.

It’s a deeper dive with tools you can use right away. You (and your patients) are welcome.

Register here. 

Stop Waking Up in the Middle of the Night

Posted on September 23, 2025 by - Sleep Health

Can't Fall Back Asleep

Do you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night and struggling to fall back asleep? In this video, Dr. Nishi Bhopal MD, sleep doctor and psychiatrist, explains why nighttime awakenings are normal and shares three science-backed strategies to help you return to restful sleep without panic or frustration.

How to quiet your mind at night

Posted on September 23, 2025 by - Sleep Health

Stop Waking Up at Night

One of the most common things I hear from patients is this:

“My brain just won’t shut off at night.”

Do you hear that in your clinic too?

And most of them have already tried the usual fixes like meditation apps, relaxing harder, melatonin, sleep hygiene checklists, and so on.

The problem is: When you try to force the brain to relax, it’s like chasing a dog with the zoomies.

The more you try to contain it, the zoomier it gets.

In my new video, I explain why racing thoughts at night are so persistent, and three steps to redirect that energy so your patients can actually fall asleep and stay asleep. 

This video is part of a short series I’m creating for both clinicians and patients.

It’s less than 5 minutes but jam packed with the same info I share with my patients 1:1.

Feel free to share it directly with your patients and colleagues.
And if you (or your patients) want to go deeper, I’m teaching a free masterclass next week on how to quiet racing thoughts and sleep through the night.

You and your patients are welcome to attend that too.
Sign up here. 

3 Steps to Stop Sleep Anxiety and Finally Heal Insomnia

Posted on September 16, 2025 by - Sleep Health

3 Steps to Stop Sleep Anxiety and Finally Heal Insomnia

Do you suffer from sleep anxiety or insomnia despite having perfect sleep hygiene? Join Dr. Nishi Bhopal MD, a sleep doctor and psychiatrist, as she reveals three proven methods to combat sleep anxiety by treating it like a phobia. Learn to recognize sleep anxiety for what it is, challenge catastrophic thoughts about sleep, and practice distress tolerance while living your values. These techniques are designed to help you retrain your brain and invite sleep back into your life naturally. Whether you’re a clinician or struggling with sleep yourself, this video offers valuable insights and practical steps to improve sleep quality. Don’t forget to join Dr. Bhopal’s free masterclass for deeper insights!

How to Fall Asleep When Your Brain Won’t Shut Off

Posted on September 16, 2025 by - Sleep Health

How to Fall Asleep When Your Brain Won’t Shut Off

Struggling to sleep because your mind won’t shut off? You’re not alone. Join Dr. Nishi Bhopal MD, a sleep doctor and psychiatrist, as she explains why your brain is so active at night and shares three science-backed tips to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Learn how to do a brain dump, incorporate rest breaks during the day, and build sleep hunger with a consistent rhythm. These strategies have helped countless physicians and can help you too. Plus, don’t miss her free masterclass on quieting racing thoughts and improving sleep quality.

The one phrase that could save your patient’s life (and your license)

Posted on September 12, 2025 by - Sleep Health

The one phrase that could save your patient’s life (and your license)

We hear a lot about drunk driving, but not nearly enough about drowsy driving.

We live in a sleep-deprived society, and, when driving, I often find myself wondering how many sleepy drivers are out on the road.

Ironically, during my sleep medicine fellowship, one of my co-fellows nodded off at the wheel after an overnight shift in the sleep lab…with all of us in the car. He startled awake just in time, and thankfully we avoided what could have been a disaster.

The reality is sobering: drowsy driving contributes to about 18% of fatal car crashes in the U.S. (1)

That’s why, during my sleep medicine elective in psych residency at Henry Ford Hospital, one of my attendings drilled this phrase into us to always include in the chart:

“Patient was counseled on the risks of excessive daytime sleepiness and advised not to drive or operate heavy machinery when drowsy, sleepy, or tired.”

At first it felt like overkill, but here’s why it matters:

✓ It protects your patient. Excessive sleepiness is a real safety risk. Documenting it reinforces the counseling and underscores its importance.

✓ It protects you. If there’s ever an accident or legal review, your note shows you addressed the risk.

✓ It saves you time. Once you create a dot phrase or template, you can drop it in every time.

Because of that early training, I’ve made it a standard in my own charting whenever a patient reports sleep issues.

I recommend you “steal” this phrase for your own notes.

If you struggle with getting your charts done on time, Dr. Junaid Niazi MD, a board-certified internist, pediatrician, and physician coach joined me on YouTube to share some tips. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YDjhcds0E0

He helps clinicians chart more efficiently so you can leave your work at work and get your evenings (and sleep) back.

Dr. Niazi shares:

✓ Why charting has become such a burden for clinicians

✓ The connection between charting and sleep

✓ His best tips to reclaim your time and reduce charting overwhelm

Plus, he’s offering a free training, “Leave Your Work at Work” on September 10 at 5pm PT. Sign up here. https://www.chartingconquered.com/a/2148159050/jwtkLbaD

P.S. We’re opening doors to our next round of Effortless Sleep in 6 Weeks soon – our signature program for adults with insomnia. Stay tuned for the details.

Did you learn something today? Click here to find out how Learner+ can help you meet your evolving educational goals. https://champions.learner.plus/?champion=Dr%20Nishi%20Bhopal

References:
1. Tefft, B.C. (2024). Drowsy Driving in Fatal Crashes, United States, 2017–2021 (Research Brief). Washington, D.C.: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Does Magnesium Work for Sleep Issues?

Posted on August 19, 2025 by - Sleep Health

If you spend enough time on Instagram or in supplement aisles, you’ve noticed that magnesium is touted as a cure-all.

It’s said to alleviate cramps, fix constipation, cure sleep issues, do your taxes, help you look good in bangs…it’s a miracle!

But when we strip away the hype and look at the data on magnesium for insomnia and sleep disturbances, it’s not as magical as it’s made out to be.

The Evidence at a Glance

Observational studies have shown that higher dietary magnesium intake is linked to better reported sleep quality and longer duration [1,2,6].

But remember that correlation does not equal causation…and the link might be explained by healthier overall diets and lifestyles.

When it comes to sleep, there are some randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Small, mostly short-term studies in older adults and specific populations (e.g., diabetes) show:

‣ Sleep onset latency improved by ~17 minutes on average [3,4]
‣ Modest reductions in insomnia severity [3]

As for combination supplements (magnesium + melatonin ± zinc) often show better results, but the benefit can’t be attributed to magnesium alone [5].

The bottom line is that the evidence for magnesium on sleep is limited and results are inconsistent.

However, that doesn’t mean I don’t recommend magnesium supplements. In fact, I take them myself and recommend them to most of my patients, because of the fact that most adults aren’t getting sufficient Mg from diet alone.

How does it work?
Magnesium may support sleep through multiple pathways.

It modulates neurotransmitter activity by blocking excitatory NMDA-type glutamate receptors and activating inhibitory GABA receptors, reducing neuronal excitability and promoting relaxation for sleep onset and maintenance [1,2].

Magnesium also plays a role in melatonin synthesis and possibly supports deeper, more restorative stages of sleep [1].

Safety and Dosing Pearls

‣ Examples of food sources: pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, almonds, leafy greens, dark chocolate, soy, dried beans

‣ From supplements: Generally safe, but high doses can cause diarrhea and GI upset.
Avoid excess in advanced CKD; check for drug–nutrient interactions in high-risk patients.

‣ Typical doses in trials: 320–500 mg elemental magnesium daily, often split; forms include glycinate (better tolerated), citrate (laxative effects, good for constipation), threonate (crosses blood-brain barrier) and oxide (less bioavailable).

What to tell Patients

Magnesium is safe for most people and may offer a small, gradual benefit for sleep, but it’s not a sedative and shouldn’t replace proven treatments. Think of it as a gentle support in the background rather than a quick fix.

Want to learn more about sleep supplements? I’m hosting another series of masterclasses later this month – stay tuned for the details! I’ll send an email about that in the next few days.

References:

1. Zhang, Y., et al. “Association of Magnesium Intake With Sleep Duration and Sleep Quality: Findings From the CARDIA Study.” Sleep, vol. 45, no. 4, 2022, zsab276. Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/sleep/zsab276.

2. Arab, A., et al. “The Role of Magnesium in Sleep Health: A Systematic Review of Available Literature.” Biological Trace Element Research, vol. 201, no. 1, 2023, pp. 121–128. Springer, doi:10.1007/s12011-022-03162-1.

3. Ji, X., et al. “The Relationship Between Micronutrient Status and Sleep Patterns: A Systematic Review.” Public Health Nutrition, vol. 20, no. 4, 2017, pp. 687–701. Cambridge University Press, doi:10.1017/S1368980016002603.

4. Cao, Y., et al. “Magnesium Intake and Sleep Disorder Symptoms: Findings From the Jiangsu Nutrition Study of Chinese Adults at Five-Year Follow-Up.” Nutrients, vol. 10, no. 10, 2018, p. E1354. MDPI, doi:10.3390/nu10101354.

5. Dhillon, V. S., et al. “Low Magnesium in Conjunction With High Homocysteine and Less Sleep Accelerates Telomere Attrition in Healthy Elderly Australian.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 2, 2023, p. 982. MDPI, doi:10.3390/ijms24020982.

6. Mah, J., and T. Pitre. “Oral Magnesium Supplementation for Insomnia in Older Adults: A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis.” BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, vol. 21, no. 1, 2021, p. 125. BioMed Central, doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03297-z.