I began to have insomnia about 6 years ago around 68 yrs- every night, possibly a hereditary condition because my mother has this. I would like to find out which hormone or gene I may be lacking if there is such a lab where I can have tests done. I do not use any stimulants- alcohol, nicotine, coke, soft drinks, coffee or tea (I have always been extremely sensitive to caffeine, anyway). I am not overweight, do not snore, I eat well and exercise, am exposed to sunlight, not stressed nor anxious. My bedroom is comfortable, dark and quiet. Even being extremely tired after a 5 hour hike in the mountains does not help. None of the usual recommendations make any difference, I just don’t sleep. That is, without help: melatonin, herbal teas or oils especially lavender but mostly cannabis which my mother was prescribed by her doctor. CBD by itself has no effect but THC does. My doctor prefers I continue, rather than taking an addictive drug. THC does not cause any side effects that I have noticed and I doubt that it is addictive, although I may become a little tolerant, not sure. Long term use is not advised apparently but what else can I do?
I recommend you talk to your doctor about the use of Trazadone,it is non addictive.
Have you tried any supplements? I have had mine prescribed by an integrative health doctor so you could check with an appropriately trained professional - I take magnesium, L-theonine and melatonin and a tablet with lavender in it. An interesting thing my doctor told me is that I dump histamine in the night which wakes me up. She trialled me on an anti-histamine over night and I went from waking 5-7 times a night to once! Now I take supplements that stabilise my mast cells so they don’t secrete histamine. That was truly interesting. The other thing you can do is eat tryptophan containing foods before you go to sleep as these help make melatonin. Good luck I know what minimal sleep is like - it’s torture. I hope you are able to stick to what works 
Hi! Thank you for sharing such detailed information—it really helps to understand your situation. Chronic insomnia can be very challenging, especially when you’ve already tried many of the usual lifestyle strategies.
Currently, there isn’t a standard lab test that can pinpoint a single “missing” hormone or gene causing insomnia. Sleep regulation is complex and involves multiple systems including circadian rhythms, neurotransmitters, and genetics. While research into genetic and hormonal influences is ongoing, at this time testing for a specific cause isn’t typically available.
Since THC seems to help and your doctor supervises its use, that can be a part of your management plan, but long-term use should be monitored. You might also explore:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I): Often the most effective non-drug treatment for chronic insomnia, even when lifestyle changes alone haven’t helped.
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Light therapy or circadian rhythm interventions: Timed exposure to bright light in the morning or controlled darkness in the evening can sometimes help reset sleep patterns.
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Ongoing evaluation by a sleep specialist: Especially if you’re open to trying new approaches or monitoring effects of your current regimen.
It’s understandable to want a precise biological explanation, but often a combination of approaches—behavioral, environmental, and supervised therapeutic interventions—brings the most improvement.
You’re doing a lot of the right things already, and reaching out for guidance is a great step. 