Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that affects your ability to wake and sleep. Scientists are increasingly finding evidence that narcolepsy, especially type 1, may be an autoimmune disorder. This means the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells. In narcolepsy type 1, the immune system seems to target and destroy neurons that produce a chemical called hypocretin, which is crucial for wakefulness. Researchers have found that certain immune cells, like CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, are autoreactive to these hypocretin-producing neurons. This suggests that these immune cells might be involved in the destruction process. However, no specific antibody has been identified yet. Genetic factors also play a role. Many people with narcolepsy type 1 have mutations in genes called human leukocyte antigen (HLA), which are involved in immune system regulation. Environmental factors, such as viral infections, might also trigger the disease in genetically predisposed individuals. For example, there was a spike in narcolepsy cases following the 2009 H1N1 flu epidemic in some countries. Currently, narcolepsy is managed by treating its symptoms, as there are no treatments that can replace lost hypocretin. Researchers are hopeful that understanding the autoimmune aspect of narcolepsy could lead to new treatments and better diagnostic methods, such as identifying biomarkers that could make diagnosis easier and less time-consuming.