Sleep deprivation

=== Treating insomnia ===
Sleep deprivation can be implemented for a short period of time in the treatment of [[insomnia]]. Some common sleep disorders have been shown to respond to [[cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia]]. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is a multicomponent process that is composed of stimulus control therapy, sleep restriction therapy (SRT), and sleep hygiene therapy.<ref name=":3">{{Citation | vauthors = Perlis M, Gehrman P |title=Psychophysiological Insomnia |date=2013 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Sleep |pages=203–204 |publisher=Elsevier |doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-378610-4.00177-7 |isbn=978-0-12-378611-1 }}</ref> One of the components is a controlled regime of "sleep restriction" in order to restore the [[Homeostasis|homeostatic]] drive to sleep and encourage normal "sleep efficiency".<ref name="auto2">{{cite journal | vauthors = Miller CB, Espie CA, Epstein DR, Friedman L, Morin CM, Pigeon WR, Spielman AJ, Kyle SD | title = The evidence base of sleep restriction therapy for treating insomnia disorder | journal = Sleep Medicine Reviews | volume = 18 | issue = 5 | pages = 415–424 | date = October 2014 | pmid = 24629826 | doi = 10.1016/j.smrv.2014.01.006 }}</ref> Stimulus control therapy is intended to limit behaviors intended to condition the body to sleep while in bed.<ref name=":3"/> The main goal of stimulus control and [[Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia#Sleep restriction therapy|sleep restriction therapy]] is to create an association between bed and sleep. Although sleep restriction therapy shows efficacy when applied as an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy, its efficacy is yet to be proven when used alone.<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="Trauer 191" /> Sleep hygiene therapy is intended to help patients develop and maintain good sleeping habits. Sleep hygiene therapy is not helpful, however, when used as a monotherapy without the pairing of stimulus control therapy and sleep restriction therapy.<ref name=":3"/><ref name="AASM-behavioral-therapies-2021" /> Light stimulation affects the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, controlling circadian rhythm and inhibiting the secretion of melatonin from the pineal gland. Light therapy can improve sleep quality, improve sleep efficiency, and extend sleep duration by helping to establish and consolidate regular sleep-wake cycles. Light therapy is a natural, simple, low-cost treatment that does not lead to residual effects or tolerance. Adverse reactions include headaches and eye fatigue and can also induce mania.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2017-06-27 |title=中国失眠症诊断和治疗指南 | trans-title = Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Insomnia in China |language=zh  | url=https://rs.yiigle.com/CN112137201724/993548.htm |journal=National Medical Journal of China |volume=97 |issue=24 |pages=1844–1856 |doi=10.3760/cma.j.issn.0376-2491.2017.24.002 |issn=0376-2491}}</ref>

In addition to the cognitive behavioral treatment of insomnia, there are also generally four approaches to treating insomnia medically. These are through the use of barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and benzodiazepine receptor agonists. Barbiturates are not considered to be a primary source of treatment due to the fact that they have a low therapeutic index, while melatonin agonists are shown to have a higher therapeutic index.<ref name=":3"/>