Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition caused by the autoimmune loss of hypocretin (orexin) producing neurons in the hypothalamus. The boundary between sleep and wakefulness becomes unstable: sleep intrudes into the day as irresistible sleep attacks, while wakefulness intrudes into REM sleep as sleep paralysis and vivid hypnagogic dreams.
Irresistible daytime sleep attacks, often brief and initially refreshing
Sudden loss of voluntary muscle tone (cataplexy) triggered by laughter or surprise
Sleep paralysis on waking or when falling asleep
Vivid dreamlike hallucinations at sleep onset
Fragmented, broken nighttime sleep despite severe daytime sleepiness
How it's confirmed
An overnight polysomnography followed immediately by a next-day Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) with 5 nap opportunities. Stimulant medications must be tapered beforehand.
Overnight polysomnography (PSG)Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)
Solutions
ranked by evidence level
Evidence scale — what the meter means
Strong — Multiple clinical trials or established guidelines.
Moderate — Some clinical research, fewer or smaller studies.
Emerging — Early research signals.
Limited — Expert opinion or common clinical practice.