Chronic insomniacs are treated harshly in the media. We’re told that six hours of sleep damages the brain, weakens the immune system, and causes the heart to fail. That the risk of depression increases. And yet, some people still make it to 95 just fine

Doctors prescribe sleeping pills to one in two people who suffer from insomnia. Sleeping pills do have an effect. They calm you down. They make you drowsy. Sometimes you suddenly sleep through a few hours again. That can feel like a relief. You might sleep better, but the confidence that you can do this on your own gradually fades into the background.