What can I do if I'm tired but can't fall asleep at night?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Feeling tired but unable to sleep? This frustrating condition, often linked to stress, anxiety, or underlying health issues, may be improved with treatments such as gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), pregabalin, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), all of which have shown promise in enhancing sleep quality.

However, the right treatment depends on what's actually causing your sleeplessness—and that's not always easy to pinpoint on your own. Before guessing, take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand your condition and confidently plan your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Explanation

When you feel tired but find it hard to fall asleep, there are some treatments that might help. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate has been studied for its effects on sleep, which might help some people sleep better. Pregabalin is another option that has been shown to improve sleep in people with generalized anxiety disorder, which can sometimes make it hard to sleep.

Another interesting option is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). A pilot study suggested that TENS might help improve sleep. However, it's important to note that these treatments should be discussed with a healthcare provider to see if they are right for you.

If you're experiencing symptoms that are affecting your sleep and want to better understand what might be causing them, you can take a free AI-powered symptom checker test to get personalized insights before speaking with a healthcare provider.

(References)

Mamelak M, Escriu JM, & Stokan O. (1977). The effects of gamma-hydroxybutyrate on sleep. Biological psychiatry, 192353.
Holsboer-Trachsler E, & Prieto R. (2013). Effects of pregabalin on sleep in generalized anxiety disorder. The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology, 23009881.
Zhou L, Xu Y, Song F, Li W, Gao F, Zhu Q, & Qian Z. (2023). The effect of TENS on sleep: A pilot study. Sleep medicine, 37167876.

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