Q. Are there any natural treatments for narcolepsy and cataplexy?
A. Narcolepsy is a condition in which people fall asleep suddenly during waking hours. If they lose muscle control, it is called cataplexy. Some narcoleptics fall asleep and collapse while crossing the street.
There are no natural remedies for this serious ailment, unless you consider gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB). This compound is made in very small quantities by the body. Doctors can now prescribe it by the name Xyrem. It helps control narcolepsy by fostering restorative sleep. GHB has been abused so access to Xyrem is tightly controlled.
