Gary Brecka tells Patrick Bet-David on the PBD Podcast why some people feel physically exhausted but remain mentally active when they get into bed. He describes rumination as one reason thoughts from the day can continue interfering with sleep. Research supports part of Brecka’s explanation. Cognitive models of insomnia identify worry and rumination about life stress as factors that can interfere with falling asleep, while NIH describes insomnia as difficulty falling or staying asleep despite adequate opportunity. Chronic insomnia is more than occasionally having an active mind at bedtime. NIH defines chronic insomnia as sleep difficulty occurring at least three nights per week for more than three months when it cannot be fully explained by another health problem. Sleep and ADHD can also overlap. A 2024 study of 3,691 adults diagnosed with ADHD found roughly 60% screened positive for a sleep disorder, with delayed sleep phase symptoms, insomnia and restless legs among the most prevalent findings.
