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Trouble Sleeping in New Places? It's Probably Your Brain's Fault

When you struggle to sleep in an unfamiliar setting, your brain might be trying to protect you. Researchers call this the First Night Effect.

By Bárbara Pinho
Jan 27, 2021 2:00 PMMar 1, 2021 3:37 PM
Traveler sleeping in Hong Kong International Airport
(Credit: Wang Sing/Shutterstock)

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Whether it’s on a plane or in a hospital waiting room, some of us have a hard time sleeping in unfamiliar places. Surely comfort can be an issue in confined, unconventional spaces, like a rigid airport chair. But even the most comfortable and cozy hotel rooms present a battle to humans worldwide. Many of us struggle to get a good night of rest in any new place. This phenomenon, known as the First Night Effect (FNE), impacts numerous humans and some animals. But what’s happening inside our brains during these troubled first nights?

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