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Insomnia as an evolved threat-response System: An evolutionary mismatch and kindling hypothesis
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DOI：10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102263.png)
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Abstract
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Fundamental etiological questions about insomnia disorder remain inadequately addressed, and current pathological models often fail to explain its core features. This article aims to re-examine the nature of insomnia through the lens of evolutionary medicine and propose an integrative theoretical framework. Employing a theory-driven narrative review methodology, it synthesizes evidence from epidemiology, genetics, neuroscience, developmental science, and animal models to construct a coherent explanation. We propose that the core features of insomnia are not simple dysfunctions but expressions of an evolutionarily conserved defensive system adapted to acute survival threats. Its high prevalence and tendency for spontaneous remission reflect the properties of a universal, precise, and economical defense mechanism. The heritability and demographic disparities of insomnia record how natural selection has shaped this system's sensitivity and its differential response to modern environmental threats. The development of chronic insomnia disorder stems from a core mechanism of Mismatch and Kindling: an evolutionary mismatch occurs when this ancient alarm system is chronically exposed to psychosocial stressors in modern society. This chronic activation drives a neurobehavioral kindling process, sensitizing the threat-response neural circuitry through repeated use. This framework also offers a unifying explanation for the bidirectional comorbidity between insomnia and other conditions. In conclusion, this evolutionary framework redefines insomnia as an evolutionarily rooted yet dysregulated adaptive system. It provides an ultimate causal explanation for key clinical features and aligns with, while deepening, the rationale for cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.
Keywords:
Insomnia disorder
Evolutionary medicine
Mismatch theory
Kindling hypothesis
Threat-response system
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