health conditions [3-5]. Estimates also indicate that
adults with untreated insomnia incur annual healthcare
costs that are more than $1,200 higher than for adults
without insomnia [6]. Thus, chronic insomnia exacts a
substantial personal and societal burden.
Hypnotic medications, in particular benzodiazepine
receptor agonists, and cognitive-behavioral therapy are
first-line treatments for chronic insomnia [7]. Despite
their demonstrated efficacy in multiple randomized controlled
trials, each treatment has significant limitations.
For example, while hypnotics are readily available and
easy to administer, limited data exist on their efficacy