When translating the concepts of dampness and qi from Donguibogam into the language of modern medicine, they are deeply related to our body's metabolic disorders, neurotransmitter imbalances, and endocrine disruption. It is not merely that one sleeps a lot; it can be an SOS signal sent by the brain and whole-body health.
One of the most representative causes is central nervous system sleep disorders such as primary hypersomnia and narcolepsy. Primary hypersomnia is a condition where one feels uncontrollable sleepiness during the day despite having slept sufficiently at night, and narcolepsy involves suddenly falling into sleep or accompanying cataplexy, a phenomenon where muscle strength is lost. These conditions are deeply tied to a deficiency or dysfunction of hypocretin (orexin), a neuropeptide that regulates the sleep-wake cycle in the hypothalamus. When this substance is lacking, it is like a day-and-night switch has broken down; the brain cannot properly maintain arousal and constantly falls into the temptation of sleep. This can be viewed as similar to the state where the circulation of qi described in Donguibogam is not smooth, leaving the mind unclear.
Moreover, when nighttime sleep quality drops remarkably, such as with sleep apnea, extreme daytime sleepiness is reported. When breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, the brain experiences oxygen deprivation, and deep sleep is interrupted, preventing the body from resting and causing fatigue substances to accumulate continuously. Being sleepy during the day is a natural consequence after failing to rest properly through the night. This shares the same context as dampness stagnating inside the body and blocking the flow of energy, as described in Donguibogam. Just like bodily wastes, oxygen deficiency lowers brain function.
Endocrine diseases such as hypothyroidism can also become major causes of hypersomnia and chronic fatigue. Thyroid hormone regulates the overall metabolic rate of our bodies; when this hormone is deficient, the rate at which the body produces and consumes energy slows down remarkably, leaving one constantly lethargic and sleepy. This is very similar to the drop in body vitality caused by yang qi deficiency in Donguibogam.
In addition, mental health issues such as chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and anxiety disorders are also deeply linked to daytime sleepiness. In particular, patients with depression often show reduced sleep quality or hypersomnia. This is closely related to imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, and it also affects the body's energy metabolism. Side effects of certain medications, anemia, and vitamin D deficiency can also trigger hypersomnia.
As such, modern medicine investigates the phenomenon of excessive sleep in depth through the brain's biochemical mechanisms, hormonal balance, and the issues within sleep architecture itself. If left unaddressed with the thought that sleeping more will make it better, it can impair academic or work efficiency and even raise the risk of safety accidents, making it crucial to seek help from a specialist.
