Treatment based on narcolepsy could promote sleep in insomniacs.

By learning from patients who nod off unexpectedly during the day, researchers have pinpointed a chemical that could help people who can’t sleep at night.

One out of every 10 people in the United States suffers from chronic insomnia, making for a big sleeping-pill market. The most popular pills work by strengthening the effects of a brain chemical that slows the nervous system and promotes relaxation. But these drugs can also carry unpleasant side effects, including memory loss and grogginess the next day. The race for a better sleeping pill is still on.

Read the full story here.