In this episode, Gregory tackles the complex relationship between trauma and insomnia, exploring why traditional sleep advice often fails trauma survivors. Through personal experiences, listener stories, and research-backed insights, he explains how trauma rewires the brain's sleep mechanisms and creates a "paradoxical vigilance" where the body is exhausted but the nervous system remains on high alert. Most importantly, Gregory offers practical, trauma-informed strategies that work with—rather than against—your hypervigilant nervous system.
 
Key Takeaways

• 70-90% of people with PTSD report sleep disturbances—it's a core symptom, not a side effect
• Trauma creates "paradoxical vigilance" where your body is tired but your nervous system stays alert
• Many trauma survivors experience worst sleep difficulties between 2-4 AM when cortisol naturally dips
• Addressing sleep disturbances can significantly improve overall trauma healing
• Insomnia isn't a personal failure—it's your body trying to protect you

What You'll Discover

• Why traditional sleep hygiene advice often falls short for trauma survivors
• How neuroimaging shows trauma changes brain activity during sleep transitions
• Creative adaptations other survivors have developed for better rest
• Practical tools for grounding yourself during middle-of-the-night panic
• How to create a buffer zone between daytime activation and sleep

Resources Mentioned

• Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine study on paradoxical vigilance in trauma survivors
• UC Berkeley Sleep and Neuroimaging Laboratory research on trauma and REM sleep
• 2019 meta-analysis in Journal of Traumatic Stress on cognitive-behavioral approaches for trauma-related sleep
• University of Arizona's Sleep Research Laboratory findings on targeted sleep interventions
• National Center for PTSD research on sleep disturbances following trauma exposure

Next Episode Preview Next week, we'll build on this foundation with "Building a Night Routine for Better Sleep with CPTSD," where we'll explore how to create consistent, trauma-informed bedtime rituals that signal safety to your nervous system.
 
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