In this episode, Dr. Nishi Bhopal, a physician board certified in sleep medicine and integrative psychiatry, discusses why she does not recommend medications for chronic insomnia. She explains the concept of hyperarousal, which is a common cause of chronic insomnia, and highlights the shortcomings and potential negative impacts of using sleeping pills, including dependency and reduced glymphatic clearance. Dr. Bhopal advocates for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI) as the first-line treatment, supported by practices like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness. Download her free melatonin brand guide at intrabalance.com/melatonin.
IntraBalance Integrative Psychiatry & Sleep is now Pacific Integrative Psychiatry.
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