Ozempic, Insomnia, and the Cost of Quick Fixes
This isn’t an anti-Ozempic message. It’s a reminder that quick fixes often carry costs. And when sleep is the cost, the whole system pays.
How to Sleep Well in Summer’s Light: A Functional Guide
A reminder that your body needs rhythm, not endless light. Discover how artificial light and long summer days affect your sleep—and how to reclaim rest through functional medicine, light rituals, and circadian support.
Understanding Your Sleep and Cortisol Awakening Response
After forgetting my own sleep advice, I rediscovered the power of the cortisol awakening response. This piece invites you to pause, wait for your body’s inner sunrise, and feel the difference one morning at a time.
What Does a Sleep Specialist Actually Do?
What does a sleep specialist actually do? Discover how a holistic approach can uncover the hidden causes of insomnia—like gut issues, hormonal imbalances, and nervous system stress—and support real healing. Virtual and in-person care available.
Six Sleep Disruptors and How They’re Showing Up in My Practice: A Second Quarter Reflection
As a sleep-focused clinician, I often think in rhythms—daily, seasonal, cyclical. Every few months, I pause to reflect on what’s unfolding in my practice: what patterns are emerging, what my patients are experiencing, and how we’re working…
When the World Feels Heavy: Gentle Sleep and Anxiety Support
When life feels like too much—whether from global events, personal loss, or the wear-and-tear of being a sensitive human—sleep is often the first thing to slip.
The nervous system holds tension even when…
Progesterone & GABA: A Hormonal Key to Restful Sleep
Some sleep issues aren’t just about stress—or even about sleep itself. They might have more to do with hormones than you think. One of the quiet but powerful players in this realm is progesterone, and its deeply calming companion, GABA.
If you’ve been feeling tired but wired and…
Melatonin: More Than Sleep Aid—Messenger of Balance
Melatonin is often spoken of as 'the sleep hormone,' and it's true—it plays a key role in guiding the body into rest. But to think of melatonin as simply a supplement you take when sleep is hard to find is to miss the full beauty of what it actually does. Yes, melatonin is a hormone. But it's also the result of a deeper alchemy—one that involves serotonin, the health of your pineal gland, your gut, your iron levels, and even your thyroid.
9 Sleep Tips That Actually Help (Without the Pressure)
What if a few tips for sleep hygiene could make a real shift in your sleep? The tips for sleep hygiene can make a small or big difference depending on how severe or how chronic your sleep struggle is.
From Racing Thoughts to Restful Sleep: How 4-7-8 Breathing Helps You Unwind
Nighttime brings a peculiar and frustrating phenomenon for many of us: the acceleration of thoughts just when we need our minds to quiet down. If you've experienced this, you're not alone. Many people describe the frustration of being physically tired but…
Hormone-Sleep Connection: Why Sleep Changes Throughout Life
Have you ever noticed how your sleep patterns seem to change without explanation? One month you're sleeping soundly through the night, and the next you're staring at the ceiling at 3 AM, wondering what changed when your bedtime routine is exactly the same? If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. What many don't realize is that hormones are often the hidden driver of your sleep patterns.
Sleep anxiety relief: How anxious type sleepers can use Heart 7 to fall asleep faster
Have you ever experienced that familiar feeling where you're exhausted, lying in bed, but your mind refuses to slow down? Your heart might be racing slightly, your thoughts churning, as sleep…
Herbs and Supplements to Heal Insomnia
This comprehensive guide explores foundational herbs and supplements that address the root causes of chronic insomnia, rather than just treating symptoms. Dr. Corca examines three interconnected systems crucial for sleep: gut health (affecting serotonin and melatonin production), hormonal balance (especially for women experiencing cycle-related sleep issues), and stress response (the most critical factor for lasting sleep improvement).
How trauma can cause chronic sleep issues such as insomnia
For the longest time, I understood that stress was behind why many of us can't sleep. What I didn't fully grasp was just how deeply old trauma—both big and small—can linger and disrupt sleep. It's insidious, creeping into the night and causing chronic sleep issues long after the events themselves.
The 5 Causes of Insomnia: on Resilience Radio with Dr. Jill
Dr. Damiana Corca and Dr. Jill Carnahan dive deep into understanding insomnia and how to achieve restful sleep naturally. In this comprehensive discussion, Dr. Corca explains the five distinct causes of insomnia: the Anxious Type, Overthinking Type, Overtaxed Type, Depleted Type, and Overburdened Type.
Relax and Sleep Well with the Acupuncture Point Large Intestine 7
Known in Chinese as “Wenliu,” Large Intestine 7 translates to “Warm Flow.” The name itself already creates an image of something soothing and comforting—like a wave of warmth gently flowing through your body. Located on the forearm, about five finger-widths up from the wrist crease along the radial side….
Alzheimer's Prevention: 3 Sleep Ways to Lower Your Risk
When my dad first started showing signs of Alzheimer’s, it was subtle—he’d forget little things we had just talked about or mispronounce words in a way that felt off. At first, we brushed it aside, but within just a few years, everything changed by the time he was 65. He couldn’t recognize…
5 Ways to Improve Your Sleep Deep Into the Winter
During winter, we are naturally inclined to rest more due to darker and shorter days. However, we spend less time outdoors and are exposed to less natural daylight, which can disrupt our body's internal circadian rhythm. Add on holiday indulgences and disrupted schedules, and your sleep quality can suffer. Here are five effective strategies to help you reconnect with deep, refreshing sleep this winter.
Time Restriction for Insomnia: Can Less Time in Bed Help You Sleep Better?
Are you often staring at the ceiling, hoping you will sleep well again soon? For many people living with insomnia, spending excessive time in bed can actually make the problem worse.
Maybe you've tried everything…
3 Case Studies: Personalized Solutions for Better Sleep
Over the years, I've worked with many patients who struggled with sleeping well at night, each with their own unique challenges. I've noticed that only by looking at each person as the unique person they are can we make progress on their health and sleep. Here, I want to share three case studies highlighting how understanding the bigger picture of sleep health can lead to restorative and life-changing results.