The Better Sleep Clinic

02/09/2026

Ever Wonder Why You Feel Tired Even After a Full Night’s Sleep? Let’s Talk About Sleep Instability! 💤

Our latest post reveals a hidden layer of sleep called the Cyclic Alternating Pattern (CAP).
It’s not just about how long you sleep. Sleep quality and your brain’s ability to stay stable during sleep matters just as much

Check out these insights:
- What exactly is sleep stability, and how does the brain’s “dimmer switch” affect your rest?
- How do different brainwave patterns during sleep protect or disrupt your sleep quality?
- Why do some people with insomnia or sleep apnea feel unrested despite sleeping 7-8 hours?
- What can lower sleep instability and improve how refreshed you feel?
- How does sleep instability change as we age, and what does that mean for your nightly sleep?

Learn more about what’s really going on in your brain while you sleep 👇

Refreshing sleep requires high sleep quality, not just sleep quantity. And sleep quality requires stable sleep, Learn how the Cyclic Alternating Pattern (CAP) explains unrefreshing sleep and how to wake up rested.

31/08/2026

🟡 CAUTION/NUANCE: Could insomnia raise your risk of haemorrhoids?

A new study links insomnia with a 23.3% higher risk.

But this is not the whole story.
- Researchers also found associations with prolonged sleep and daytime napping.
- Using genetic analysis (Mendelian randomisation), the study suggests sleep disruption may contribute to haemorrhoidal disease through altered gut function, inflammation and reduced activity.

However, the research relied mainly on European-ancestry data and does not mean insomnia directly causes haemorrhoids in every person.

Bottom line (pun not intended):
- Treating insomnia with evidence-based CBT-I may support wider health, including bowel health.

Read the full study 👇
https://read.thebettersleepclinic.com/73ed4f8a-bowel

24/08/2026

Magnesium is one of the world's most popular sleep supplements - but how strong is the scientific evidence that it actually improves sleep?

24/08/2026

Ever Wondered Why You Sometimes See or Hear Things When Falling Asleep (or Waking Up)? 👀

Here’s what we’re sharing in our latest post: sleep-related hallucinations.
Those vivid, dream-like moments that sneak in as you drift off or wake up. They might sound spooky, but many are quite common and usually harmless!

Check out these interesting insights:
- What exactly are hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations? And why do they happen right at the edges of sleep?
- How do complex nocturnal visual hallucinations differ, and when should you be concerned?
- Who’s more likely to experience these sleep-related visual experiences, and what health conditions might be linked?
- What signs should make you consider seeing a sleep specialist?
Sleep mysteries demystified!
Read more 👇
https://read.thebettersleepclinic.com/sleep-hallucinations-fb

Seeing things as you fall asleep or wake up? Learn the science behind sleep-related hallucinations such as hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations, Complex Nocturnal Visual Hallucinations, their common causes, and when to seek professiona...

19/08/2026

😴 Ever wake up unable to move but totally aware? You might have experienced sleep paralysis. And it's more common than you'd think!
Here’s what we’re sharing in our latest post about this strange but common sleep phenomenon:

- What is sleep paralysis, really?
- Why does your body freeze even when your mind is awake?
- What triggers these episodes. And how can you reduce them?
- Can those scary hallucinations during sleep paralysis be explained?
- What simple steps can help you manage or even prevent episodes?
Read more 👇

Waking up unable to move? Sleep paralysis is a temporary, harmless overlap of REM sleep and wakefulness. Discover the science behind these episodes, common triggers like sleep deprivation, and practical tips to stop them so you can reclaim ...

17/08/2026

🟡 CAUTION/NUANCE: Your RLS Treatment Might Need an Update
If you've been on dopamine agonists for restless legs for years, your doctor may soon suggest a change. Here's why.

After two decades of prescribing dopamine agonists as the go-to first-line treatment, the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation has released a major update supporting the AASM's 2025 guideline:
The reason?
- Augmentation: a paradoxical worsening of symptoms. Occurs in 42% to 70% of patients over 8-10 years on these drugs.
- The new algorithm shifts first-line treatment to gabapentinoids and iron therapy, reserving dopamine agonists only for cases where these fail.
- It also expands IV iron eligibility to ferritin levels up to 300 µg/L (previously 100), and elevates low-dose opioids as a serious second-line option.

What this means for you:
If you're on a dopamine agonist long-term, don't stop it abruptly. Book a review with your sleep specialist or GP to discuss whether your current treatment still fits your needs. This isn't about panic. It's about making an informed choice with your doctor based on the latest evidence.

The algorithm also details how to spot augmentation (symptoms appearing earlier, spreading, shorter relief) and how to safely transition to better options.
Bottom line: RLS treatment has evolved. Your plan should too.
Read the full article 👇
https://read.thebettersleepclinic.com/7d8e149c-rls-update

13/08/2026

Is Va**ng Stealing Your Sleep? Find Out What Science Says! 💤
Vapes and e-cigs are promoted as safer for health than traditional ci******es. But how do they affect sleep?

Here’s what we cover in our latest post on the connection between va**ng and sleep health
- Do va**rs get less sleep?�
- How does ni****ne in e-ci******es keep you tossing and turning?�
- Are teens and young adults especially at risk for sleep troubles from va**ng?�
- Is va**ng linked to other sleep problems that go beyond just fewer hours?
- Can va**ng make it harder to fall asleep or cause daytime sleepiness?�
- Is there a link between va**ng and serious sleep disorders like sleep apnea?
Curious? Read on 👇

Does va**ng affect your sleep? Science shows e-cigarette users have a 38% higher risk of poor sleep. Learn how ni****ne disrupts your rest and how to fix it.

12/08/2026

Healthy sleep habits should include a consistent morning waking routine. Natural light is a key component

10/08/2026

🟡 CAUTION/NUANCE: That melatonin you ordered online from the US? It might contain 5 times the dose on the label. Or none at all.
Testing of US products found some products ranged from -83% to +478% of their stated melatonin content.

Here's the problem:
In the US, melatonin is sold as an unregulated dietary supplement. No quality control. No standardised testing. Some products labelled as melatonin contained CBD instead. Others varied by 465% within the same batch.

In NZ, melatonin requires a prescription for good reason - but many people still buy unverified products from overseas.

⚠️ The risks are real:
- Overseas, children have been hospitalised from accidental overdoses, particularly with gummies that look like lollies.
- If you're considering melatonin, talk to your GP or a sleep specialist first.

A qualified healthcare professional can assess whether it's appropriate and address the underlying sleep issue - because a pill rarely fixes poor sleep habits.

The bottom line:
Unregulated supplements are a gamble with your sleep and safety.

Read the full study 👇
https://read.thebettersleepclinic.com/5883a211-melcontent

03/08/2026

🔴 STOP/MYTH: Va**ng isn't the "safer" option - and it's certainly not a brain booster.

The marketing suggests cognitive benefits. The science tells a different story.

Here's what we know:
- Ni****ne's attention effects are modest at best - and usually just mask withdrawal symptoms, not genuine improvement. Meanwhile, the real harm is clear.
- For young people, ni****ne exposure during adolescence can permanently damage brain development, affecting learning, impulse control, and memory.
- Add in the cardiovascular risks, disrupted heart rhythm, inflammation, increased stroke and heart attack risk, and the picture gets darker.

And here's the sleep angle:
- ni****ne is a stimulant that fragments sleep architecture, reduces deep sleep, and worsens insomnia. Poor sleep during adolescence? That compounds the developmental harm.

The bottom line:
No to***co or ni****ne product is safe, and flavoured products are deliberately targeting youth.
If you or someone you know is struggling to quit, evidence-based support (not another ni****ne product) is the way forward.

Read the full statement from the American Heart Assoc 👇
https://read.thebettersleepclinic.com/4120b760-ni****neya