Sleep Music

Dr. Gloria Wu evaluates the power of music as a non-pharmacological sleep aid. Sleep deficiency is now considered a global public health crisis, impacting not just mood or energy levels but long-term health, productivity, and quality of life. With limited access to therapies like CBT-I and growing concerns around sleep medications, millions are turning to something far simpler and older: music. There are universal features of lullabies across cultures—moderate tempos, soft dynamics, repetitive phrasing, and soothing tonalities. From the gentle rocking rhythm of Brahms’ Lullaby to the slow melodies of Persian and Japanese cradle songs, lullabies share a kind of musical language that transcends culture and speaks directly to the nervous system.