Aromatherapy & Insomnia: The Good, the Bad and the Smelly

Yesterday the Sleep Education Blog reported that smells can affect the emotional content of dreams. What about insomnia – can smells improve the quality of your sleep?

Aromatherapy is one form of complimentary and alternative medicine - or CAM. It involves the use of fragrant, essential oils from plants. Most often the essential oils are inhaled or applied to the skin; they may be added to bathwater or to a lotion.

How does aromatherapy work? The National Cancer Institute reports that there are different theories. One theory involves smell receptors in the nose; these receptors may respond to the scent by sending chemical messages to the brain.

A 2006 review reported that essential oils may enter the bloodstream; it suggested that aromatherapy may act like a drug.

Is sleep-related aromatherapy effective? Conclusive scientific evidence is lacking. But in recent years more studies have been conducted as interest in CAM has grown. Most of these studies have focused on the herb lavender.

A 2008 study suggested that the aroma of lavender may promote sleep in very young infants. In Korea a 2006 study involved female college students; it found that lavender had a positive effect on insomnia and depression.

A 2005 study reported that lavender may be a “mild sedative;” it may promote deep sleep in young men and women. Another study in 2005 found that lavender improved sleep quality in people with insomnia; women and younger volunteers showed the most improvement.

But a 2006 study found no sleep benefits when children with autism were given a massage with lavender oil.

Are there any side effects or risks? The National Cancer Institute warns that lavender may have some “hormone-like effects;” as a result it is unclear if lavender is safe for women with a high risk for breast cancer.

The NCCAM reports that lavender can cause skin irritation; it also may be poisonous if taken by mouth.

Other proven treatments for insomnia are available. Both cognitive behavioral therapy and medications are effective. A board-certified sleep specialist can determine which treatment is best for you. Contact an AASM-accredited sleep disorders center if you have an ongoing problem with insomnia.

Image by David Turner

Acupuncture for Insomnia: Is There a Point?

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine. It has been around for thousands of years. Can it be used to treat insomnia today?

A new scientific review takes a look at the evidence. The authors looked at 30 studies.

What did they find? Acupuncture improved some aspects of sleep in 93 percent of the studies.

But the quality of the studies varied greatly. Only a few studies compared acupuncture with an unreal, “sham” control treatment. These studies produced mixed results.

Most of the studies relied on subjective sleep reports. Few studies recorded objective sleep data.

Acupuncture techniques also varied greatly. This makes it hard to compare the results.

The authors conclude that acupuncture has potential as an insomnia treatment. But there is only limited evidence to support its use.

A 2006 study reports that the use of alternative treatments for insomnia is widespread. It estimated that 1.6 million people in the U.S. use complimentary alternative medicine (CAM) to treat insomnia.

The study indicates that about 8.5 percent of these people use alternative medical systems. This includes acupuncture.

A 2007 survey also reports that 1.4 percent of adults used acupuncture in the past 12 months. Use of acupuncture increased from 2002 to 2007.

The NCCAM reports that acupuncture is relatively safe. But the use of unsterile needles can cause an infection. An injury can occur if the treatment is provided improperly.

The FDA requires that acupuncture needles be made of solid, stainless steel. They must be sterile and labeled for single use only.

Other proven treatments for insomnia are available. Both cognitive behavioral therapy and medications are effective.

A board-certified sleep specialist can determine which treatment is best for you. Contact an AASM-accredited sleep disorders center if you have an ongoing problem with insomnia.

Read an AASM review of common products used to treat insomnia.