People with Narcolepsy Type 1 (NT1) struggle, even on treatment. Because current medications treat symptoms, not the underlying cause. Doctors think pushing patients awake with stimulants and pulling them to sleep with sedatives will regulate the sleep-wake cycle. But people with NT1 are using compensating behaviors, hacks, and work-arounds just to get through the day.
What It Takes is a platform that helps people with NT1 understand it’s a chemical in their brain, and not their fault. And educates the medical community about the impact, stigma, and underlying cause: loss of orexin signaling.
“Narcolepsy Type 1 puts sleep in your wake, and wake in your sleep.”
JUSTICE, living with NT1
Behind-the-scenes mini-documentary showing what it takes someone with NT1 to film their story.
“I call it a nap gap. It’s 11-1. I’m going to be shut down.”
Justice’s Story, listening to her body’s unique rhythm
“I was accused of being an alcoholic. That’s why they thought I couldn’t wake up in the morning.”
Casey’s Story, from isolation to finding community
“Knowing about orexin, the underlying cause, I know it’s not my fault.”
Tara’s Story, finding love and purpose in her life
Consumer and HCP Websites
The patient website prioritizes stories to help people with NT1 feel seen and understood. They want a little grace. It isn’t their fault they’re missing a brain chemical. We thought doctors would need to hear the science first. But it turns out they’re motivated by the same patient stories. They had to see how badly people on treatment struggle before giving credence to the fact current medications aren’t good enough.
When HCPs see how people are struggling,even on treatment, defenses come down, empathy goes up, and they want to learn about orexin science.
Insight from market research
The thing people with NT1 say they want most is for people to just understand their condition and what they are dealing with.
Insight from market research
