Mind Over Midnight: Unraveling the Mysteries of Insomnia and Cognitive Functioning

Background: Insomnia, a common sleep disorder characterized by persistent difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep, or achieving restorative sleep, affects millions of people worldwide.Methodology: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate dental students at Manav Rachna Dental College, Faridabad.Carried out by the Department of Public Health Dentistry between March and July 2025, the study aimed to assess the association between insomnia and cognitive function.Results: The study identified significant associations between insomnia and variables such as year of study, insomnia severity index (ISI), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scores.Insomniac participants were 4.5 times more likely to exhibit severe insomnia, 3.4 times more likely to report poor sleep quality, and 5.6 times more likely to demonstrate cognitive impairment, underscoring a strong correlation between insomnia and diminished cognitive function.Conclusion: Insomnia adversely affects cognitive function, emotional well-being, and social interactions.This study underscores its strong association with impaired memory, reduced concentration, and decreased daily functioning among students.Promoting sleep health through timely screening, evidence-based interventions, and awareness initiatives is crucial for safeguarding cognitive performance and academic success in vulnerable populations.