Falling asleep can be a challenge for many, with racing thoughts or specific environmental conditions often interfering. A neuroscientist on Instagram has shared a simple trick that may help you drift off in seconds: placing something cold on your forehead.
Kyle Cox, a scientist who focuses on rewiring trauma through neuroscience, claims that cooling the forehead can trigger sleep chemistry. He explains that when the frontal lobe cools by even one degree, it signals the brain to shut down, reducing mental chatter. This method, he says, has been tested in sleep clinics and can be more effective than sleeping pills.
The hack involves using a cold washcloth or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a thin towel. Apply it to your forehead when you get into bed and leave it until it warms up. Cox warns against placing cold items directly on the skin to avoid damage or 'brain freeze', and recommends limiting application to 15 minutes at a time.
Commenters on Cox's video expressed gratitude, with many noting they would try the technique. One said it explains why they sleep better in a cold room, while another reported using air conditioning to fall back asleep. The NHS advises that insomnia often improves with better sleep habits, such as maintaining a consistent routine and avoiding screens before bed.
