Blog Posts

Reframing Chronic Hypnic Jerks Through A Neurovascular Lens—Informed by Case Study and Group Trends Link to manuscript pre-print: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-8309723/v1 Abstract Background: Hypnic jerks are considered benign, transient motor events during sleep onset. However, in a subset of individuals, they evolve into chronic, disruptive episodes marked by neurovascular instability, autonomic dysregulation, and impaired sleep continuity. Because these sympto

Angiotensin is a protein hormone that causes blood vessels to become narrow. It helps us to maintain blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. I created the below chart several years ago as I realized that angiotensin conversion problems could be the main contributor to hypnic jerking and the issues I was experiencing. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. Angiotensin II (see in the chart) is the princ

To a large extent, the science of sleep has remained a mystery. Let’s look at the role of the spine and the brain for a moment. We know that when we are conscious (up and moving), there is high pressure exerted upon our discs: our muscles are taut, and we hold position better. As we relax and drift to sleep, complex physiological changes are occurring along our spine and spinal cord. These pressure changes also occur within each intervertebral disc segment along our spine. Th