The pharmacological (mis)management of insomnia
Michael J Leach
The Science
This artwork* was inspired by Mari B-Li Donni’s (2019) poem ‘My Inner Creature Solitude’:
“Contrary to Medic's advice
I don't need Serepax or Melatonin
Not all creatures function equally”
Evidence suggests that, while benzodiazepine medications like oxazepam (brand name: Serepax) relieve insomnia, they can also cause side effects like oversedation and light-headedness. Managing insomnia with the hormone melatonin, meanwhile, is supported by limited evidence. This composite photograph depicts a person in a haze induced by insomnia and side effects. Structural formulae of oxazepam (left) and melatonin (right) are shown through a pharmacist’s lens floating surreally around the subject's head.
*This artwork has previously been exhibited in Bendigo, Australia as part of the ‘My Health Story Exhibition 2019’ and the ‘Co.Lab Exhibition’ at ‘Write on the Fringe Festival 2019’.
The Artist
Michael J Leach holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy, a Graduate Certificate of Science (Applied Statistics), a Master of Biostatistics, and a PhD in Pharmacoepidemiology. He is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University School of Rural Health, Bendigo and a multimodal artist. Michael won first prize in the “Young Statisticians” category of the inaugural Statistical Society of Australia Photography Competition. His photos have appeared on the Statistical Society of Australia website, in Pulse—Voices from the Heart of Medicine, and in exhibitions. Michael’s debut poetry collection – a chapbook of poems about health and science – is forthcoming from Melbourne Poets Union. You can connect with him on Twitter @m_jleach and on Instagram @m_jleach.
Copyright statement. This work is published under the CC BY-NC-SA license