The Government of Canada is investing $1.1 million to further support a Sleep Research Consortium engaged in studies to promote better rest and overall well-being.
The new funding announced by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos on Wednesday will support a third team joining the consortium to help accelerate its studies. The new team will study how people’s identities, location and ability to access certain services affects their sleep quality as well as factors that may improve or help maintain their rest.
The team will be led by Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen, a psychologist and associate professor at the University of British Columbia. It will have an objective of closely collaborating with people who have experienced sleep inequities, including Indigenous groups, to help uncover important discoveries about sleep health.
“When we think about inequities, we often don’t consider that not everyone has equal access to safe, quiet, calm environments that promote good sleep,” said Tomfohr-Madsen, adding that the team looked forward to sharing new insights with Canadians.
The news follows the government investing $3.8 million in the consortium last year to fund research into sleep and sleep disorders conducted by the initial two teams of researchers. It has partnered with the Canadian research organization Mitacs and healthcare company Eisai for the initiative.
“Welcome to Dr. Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen and the sleep equity research team to the family of scientists working on sleep across the lifespan and insomnia and mental health!” said the consortium in a LinkedIn post.
The Consortium, led by Dr. Penny Corkum @pvcorkum @DalhousieU and Dr. Charles Morin @universitelaval, will also address #SleepHealth and insomnia in the context of health disparities and the health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples and children, youth and families. pic.twitter.com/WFRttkAJFg
— CIHR (@CIHR_IRSC) June 30, 2022
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Duclos also says that conditions suitable for adequate sleep are a luxury not afforded to everyone.
“Dr. Tomfohr-Madsen’s research team will help us to deliver sleep-health resources where they are most urgently needed, including among Indigenous communities to improve better health outcomes for all,” said Duclos.
Certain Canadian companies like Hapbee Technologies (TSXV: HAPB) (OTCQB: HAPBF) have been developing innovative technology to help promote better sleep in recent days. The company has developed a neckband with an ultra-low radio frequency energy (ulRFE) biostreaming platform that provides low-power electromagnetic signals that help with sleep, productivity, recovery and relaxation.
The company’s shares have shot up by 125 per cent over the past six months and are currently trading for $0.09 on the TSX Venture Exchange.
Cannabinoids that can potentially promote better sleep like cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN) have also been attracting significant attention in the cannabis industry. A recent study from the Oregon-based biotechnology firm FloraWorks indicated that CBN could significantly mitigate sleep disturbances and improve a person’s rest.
Approximately 95 per cent of CBN products being sold in the United States are specifically marketed for sleep enhancement.
The market for CBG is expected to be worth US$52.5 billion more in ten years from now because of its therapeutic uses.
rowan@mugglehead.com
