Sleepless nights could soon be a thing of the past as scientists discover a key chemical trigger that suppresses sleep and wakes people up.
Researchers from Boston University found that when the body has too little of the calcium kinase enzyme, it causes the brain to nod off to sleep.
Scientists tested the power of the enzyme on lab rats and found that when they blocked the chemical from reaching the brain, it helped to induce sleep.
"Sleep, one of the most mysterious regular shifts in consciousness, is regulated by a delicate balance between biological processes, the environment and behaviour, but the mechanisms involved in the regulation are not well understood," said study author, Dr Subimal Dutta.
"The ultimate goal of my research is to deepen the understanding of how sleep is regulated at the cellular level, which could lead to finding the causes and cures for a variety of sleep disorders."
It could be some time before the powers of the enzyme have been harnessed and bottled so in the meantime, take a look at our expert sleep tips - and if you do manage to get a good night's sleep, find out what your sleep position reveals about your personality, below...
