Why Teens Can’t Sleep—And How to Fix It!

Join sleep expert Andrew Colsky as he sits down with Dr. Helene Emsellem, one of the nation’s leading sleep physicians, for a deep dive into how sleep changes across the lifespan—why teens can’t fall asleep, why retirees wake too early, and why medications aren’t the long-term solution most people think they are.   In this episode, Dr. Emsellem explains the biology behind teenage sleep patterns, revealing how circadian rhythms and early school start times create chronic sleep debt, mood challenges, and even ADD-like symptoms. Andrew also explores the ripple effects on parents—whose own sleep often suffers because of their teens’ schedules.   The conversation then moves to retirees, who often struggle when the familiar structure of a workday disappears. Dr. Emsellem breaks down how retirees can rebuild healthy sleep timing, reduce fragmented nights, and avoid “over-napping.”   You’ll also hear a candid discussion on the pros and cons of sleep medications, when they should actually be used, and why CBT-I remains the gold standard for chronic insomnia.   The episode wraps up with practical, science-backed strategies for improving sleep hygiene, plus what you should—and shouldn’t—expect from melatonin.   Whether you’re parenting a tired teen, newly retired, or navigating sleep meds, this episode gives you real-world tools to sleep better at any age. #SleepScience #InsomniaHelp #BetterSleep Sleep science solves sleep problems, helps you discover how to sleep better and addresses topics such as sleep hygiene and sleep tips. Be sure to catch Sleep Science Today.   Find us at:   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/clubsleepwell Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/club-sleepwell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepsciencetoday/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sleepsciencetoday LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/100868932/admin/dashboard/