Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine
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If You Struggle To Fall Asleep, You Might Want To Try This Absurdly Simple Hack

By Ash Jurberg, Dec 10, 2025

Sleep specialist Alex Dimitriu confirms the evidence gap. “While some research supports eye movements as a means to induce calm, this technique has not been studied specifically for sleep. Currently, this approach is anecdotal,” he said. Compare that to other methods: “There is substantial evidence supporting box breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and possibly Yoga Nidra.”

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Sleep Better With Sjögren’s Syndrome

By Elizabeth Millard, Dec 4, 2025

Unfortunately, getting enough sleep with this chronic condition can be tricky, since its symptoms can be disruptive, according to Alex Dimitriu, M.D., a sleep medicine specialist and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in Menlo Park, CA. “Because this condition is characterized by dryness and discomfort, that can often worsen sleep in many cases,” Dr. Dimitriu explains. “Other symptoms of Sjögren’s, like pain and night sweats, can also cause sleep to be fragmented through repeated waking, which is the opposite of what the nervous system needs.” Fortunately, there are strategies that can be helpful. Here’s a deeper look at why Sjögren’s syndrome may lead to poor sleep, why that’s a problem, and what you can do to get better shuteye.

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This Common Vitamin Deficiency Could Be the Reason You’re Always Tired, Experts Warn

By Beth Ann Mayer, Dec 2, 2025

Yes, vitamin B12 deficiency could be a reason you’re always tired. However, that blood test might reveal you aren’t vitamin B12 deficient, which is why it’s crucial to get one rather than self-diagnose. “It’s important to realize that most people living in the modern world are not vitamin deficient, with the exception of certain groups,” states Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, a double board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. Yet even people who are more at risk for a B12 deficiency have a less than 5% chance of having one. For instance, only about 3.7% of people ages 60+ are vitamin B12 deficient (or having serum vitamin B12 levels below 200 picograms per milliliter). Real talk: “In my work as a sleep specialist, the most likely explanation for most of us who feel fatigue is too much stress or not enough sleep—not necessarily a vitamin deficiency,” Dr. Dimitriu explains.

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Why Using Your Phone at Night May Not Be as Bad as You Think

By Rebecca Schneid, Nov 20, 2025

Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a psychiatrist and sleep medicine doctor in Menlo Park, Calif., calls the study “fascinating, because it goes against a very large established body of research which suggests a clear effect on sleep quality from screen use,” citing the 2025 American Cancer Society study as an example. “The authors do acknowledge some interesting findings [including] that causality cannot be clearly determined from this study. And it is possible that good sleepers either use phones or they don’t, while poor sleepers aren’t sure what to do,” Dimitriu tells TIME. In Dimitriu’s professional opinion: “Screens are not good for sleep.” “I can stay up [for] hours scrolling through news articles, blogs, and social media posts. If I try reading a book, I’m out within 10 minutes. My patients feel the same,” he says. “Screens, besides being bright, are just too interesting.”

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When You Zone Out, It Might Just Be ‘Microsleep,’ According to New Research

By Korin Miller, Nov 10, 2025

It could also be your brain trying to play catch-up from a bad night’s sleep, says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., a psychiatrist and sleep medicine physician, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. When you’re in a deep sleep at night, your brain’s glymphatic system “washes out” leftover byproducts from a day of activity, he explains. “When people get insufficient sleep at night, it is possible that episodes of zoning out during the day may be the brain trying to catch up on processes that were not finished during the night,” he says.

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Insomnia Tips: Fall Asleep Faster, Wake Clearer

By Jennifer Chesak, Oct 30, 2025

“[Chronic] insomnia is clinically defined by trouble falling or staying asleep for three or more days a week over a three-month period,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, a double board-certified physician in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. If you have trouble sleeping, you may be wondering about what to do when you can’t sleep, insomnia treatments, how to cure insomnia, and more. We’ve got insomnia tips and tricks for you. And, yes, we’ve included tactics you can use right now in case you’re seeking an immediate solution and want us to get to it already.

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The 9 Best Foods for Better Sleep, According to Dietitians and a Doctor

By Rachel Kiley, Oct 29, 2025

There are all sorts of remedies—both natural and pharmaceutical—for getting a good night’s rest. But what we consume plays a role—specifically, adding foods for better sleep may make a difference in your quality of Zs. “Food plays a large role in the quality of our sleep,” Alex Dimitriu, M.D., founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, says. While no single snack will knock you out instantly or guarantee a perfectly restful night, research suggests that incorporating foods rich in tryptophan, magnesium, and calcium, for example, supports your body’s natural process of winding down.

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Huge Study on Antidepressant Side Effects Could Lead to More Personalized Prescribing

By Erica Sweeney, Oct 28, 2025

Patients often try more than one antidepressant before finding the right fit, This is often due to side effects and effectiveness, says Alex Dimitriu, MD, a psychiatrist, sleep medicine physician, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine in California. Dr. Dimitriu was not involved with the study. “Some people will benefit from some classes of antidepressants over others,” he says, adding that the new research provides “a single glance view of the clusters of side effects from various medications.” 

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This Popular Vitamin Might Be Wreaking Have on Your Sleep, Experts Warn

By BethAnn Mayer, Oct 28, 2025

Taking vitamin B12 supplements may cause you to burn the midnight oil, experts warn. “Overly high levels of B12 can lead to sleep fragmentation and earlier waking,” explains Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, who is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine specialist and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine.

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Do Supplements Really Work for Depression?

By Jessica Migala, Oct 21, 2025

Clinical depression—the most severe form of depression—is complicated, and influenced by a variety of factors including individual brain chemistry, genetics, a history of trauma, and stress. Treatment of the condition, too, is complex, needing to address the biological, genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors at play, which differ from person-to-person. “For depression treatment, I strongly believe in a multimodal approach, as evidenced by research,” says psychiatrist Alex Dimitriu, M.D., the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California. “In my practice, we help people with daily life habits likesleep, work, play, and exercise, we add therapy to improve understanding of the patient and their relationships, and we use medication when needed.”

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Yes, the moon really can affect your sleep

By Clarissa Brincat, Oct 16, 2025

“We know that light, whether artificial or natural, can have a suppressant effect on melatonin, so it is plausible that moonlight could have a natural wake promoting effect,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine. 

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The 10-3-2-1 Sleep Method: A Middle-Aged Woman’s Countdown to Sanity

By Sharon Brandwein, Sep 28, 2025

“Work, especially cognitively demanding tasks, can keep your brain in a state of alertness,” said Alex Dimitriu, MD, a dual board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine physician. “Your brain cannot go from 100 mph to zero quickly. Stepping away from work-related stress well before lights out helps signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down.” According to the 10-3-2-1 method, two hours is the sweet spot.

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6 Habits That Make Obstructive Sleep Apnea Worse

By Marygrace Taylor, Sep 25, 2025

CPAP therapy uses a mask to deliver continuous air pressure through your airway during sleep, which helps keep the area open and prevents breathing disruptions. But if the mask doesn’t fit correctly, it can end up leaking, which means you might not be reaping all of the benefits of treatment. “A poor CPAP mask fit essentially means most of the air is not getting where it needs to go: to your airway,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD, a board-certified sleep specialist and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in Menlo Park, California. 

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5 Surprising Benefits Of Sleeping Naked—From Better Skin To Hotter Nights

By Shannon Dawson, Sep 19, 2025

Struggling to fall or stay asleep? Your body temperature plays a key role in regulating your sleep cycle, especially during REM sleep, the restorative stage when your brain and body recharge. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, room temperature is one of the most crucial factors for quality sleep. Ideally, your bedroom should be between 60–67°F (15–19°C), according to the study, Healthline reported. Sleeping naked helps your body cool down more efficiently, which not only helps you drift off faster but also leads to deeper, more restful sleep, shared Dr. Alex Dimitriu during an interview with the New York Post, published Feb. 21. “When our bodies can cool off at night, we enter deeper stages of sleep (slow wave sleep) — which is why sleeping in a cooler environment is important.”

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The real science behind this viral magnesium sleep hack

By Clarissa Brincat, Sep 16, 2025

“I think we need to be careful any time scientists and especially TikTokers make medical claims,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine. The first thing he does when he comes across such videos is to check what studies, if any, the video refers to: “Even when there is research to support these claims, the studies can be small, or not well designed, and thus not reliable.” 

“There is very little evidence supporting the use of lettuce water for sleep,” says Dimitriu. Lettuce contains extremely small amounts of two substances called lactucin and lactucopicrin, which are thought to have a mildly calming and sleep-inducing effect. “But there are very few studies supporting this, and none have been conducted in humans,” he cautions. 

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MENLO PARK PSYCHIATRY & SLEEP MEDICINE

CONDITIONS TREATED: Anxiety, Depression, Attention Deficit Disorder, Insomnia, Bipolar Disorder, and Treatment Resistant Depression

REGIONS COVERED: We serve clients of the Bay Area, including the communities of Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Mountain View, Portola Valley, Atherton, Sunnyvale, and San Jose

Phone 650-326-5888
Address 1225 Crane Street, Suite 205
Menlo Park, CA 94025
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