Whether we lose sleep for the sake of exam-cramming or a heavy night out, the day after an all-nighter isn’t usually when we feel our best. But sleepless nights have been found to be an effective tool against depression, and could enable people with mental health issues to go drug-free.

Roughly 14% of Europeans suffer from anxiety, and while diazepam works for some, herbal remedy-loving Germans are turning to the power of flowers. Lasea contains lavender oil, is safe to take while driving, and leaves your breath fragrantly fresh. But why do Germans put their trust in nature?

Aussie students looking for a caffeine kick in the run-up to exams are cracking open cans of energy drinks to keep them awake for those late night study sessions. But although a can of Monster might give a quick boost, it may be damaging people's health in the long run.

From the mind-enhancing drug in the 2011 movie Limitless to doubt-ridding pills in the 2006 novel Indecision, ‘smart drugs’ usually occupy the realms of fiction. But can science produce a real life equivalent? Research from Oxford and Harvard suggests modafinil could be the answer.