There are few experiences as beautiful as a good night’s sleep. And in the quest to deliver a healthy eight hours to those struggling with insomnia, pharma has found a host of targets in the brain. There’s often a price to pay, though.
The standard go-tos such as benzodiazepines and GABA-targeting medications like Ambien can trigger groggy hangovers or addiction issues, leaving sleep disorder scientists still on the hunt for the “perfect hypnotic.”
Enter orexins.
A neuropeptide that’s secreted by neurons in the hypothalamus, orexins play a starring role in a host of vital functions including mood, eating behavior, energy, cognition and sleep. So far, pharma companies have targeted sleep conditions by developing drugs designed to strike the right orexin balance.
Not enough orexin? Patients can be hit with…