Insomniacs are 'likely to feel more pain Sensitivity linked to time it takes to nod off

If you have trouble nodding off at night you are probably also more sensitive to pain, a study reveals.

It seems insomniacs are less able to tolerate pain for long periods compared to those people who have no problems sleeping.

Sensitivity is linked to how long it takes a person to fall asleep, not their length of sleep, the International Association for the Study of Pain reports. Norwegian researchers asked more than 10,000 adults to undergo a standard test of pain sensitivity, by keeping their hands submerged in cold water for as long as possible.

Compared with people who don't get insomnia, rates of lower pain tolerance were 52 per cent higher in people suffering insomnia more than once a week – causing them to take their hand out of the water earlier. 

For those suffering from it once a month, the rate was 24 per cent.