“Point of No Return”: 2025 Study Finds Falling Asleep isn’t Gradual

A recent study found the human brain doesn’t gradually fall asleep — a discovery that could improve treatment of insomnia and other sleep disorders.

Researchers at Imperial College London devised a new framework for monitoring how the brain behaves while individuals fall asleep using electroencephalography (EEG) data.

Dr. Junheng Li, a PhD student in the college’s Grossman Lab, told New Scientist that the team observed a “point of no return” occurring an average of 4.5 minutes before sleep in more than 1,000 participants.

This finding allowed researchers to use EEG data to predict when the individuals would fall asleep — consistently within a minute of the actual moment.

However, it remains unclear if the pattern would change under different circumstances (i.e. sleeping in a new place).

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Disability Benefits for Sleep Disorders in Canada

Sleep disorders, including insomnia, have a profound impact on an individual’s ability to perform their job duties — even with appropriate treatment.

For Canadians who can’t work, short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) benefits can provide a crucial financial lifeline.

How These Benefits Help

• STD: Provides temporary financial support for individuals unable to perform their job duties.
• LTD: Offers income replacement for individuals unable to return to work for an extended period of time.

To qualify for STD or LTD benefits, medical documentation is essential to demonstrate how your condition prevents you from working.

Sadly, insurance companies often deny legitimate LTD claims — including in cases involving sleep disorders — adding unnecessary stress to an already difficult situation.

SEE ALSO
• Medical Conditions that Qualify for Disability in Canada
• Denied LTD? Seek Legal Advice Before Appealing the Decision
• Pocket Disability Lawyer: Real-Time Insights on Your Rights

📺 WATCH: Next Steps for Canadians After a Disability Claim is Denied

Claim Denied? Contact Us

If your insurance company prevented you from accessing disability benefits for a sleep disorder, or another medical condition, connect with an experienced disability lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our compassionate team regularly resolves issues involving STD, LTD, critical illness, life insurance, and mortgage insurance claims.

We’ve helped countless Canadians secure the compensation they’re owed. Contact us today for a FREE disability consultation.