Triethylene glycol is used in the vapor state as an air-sterilizing agent, toxic to bacteria, fungi and viruses in low concentrations in air. It is used in cosmetics as a fragrance ingredient and as a viscosity-decreasing agent. Commercially available triethylene glycol increased non-rapid eye movement sleep in mice in a dose-dependent manner. These results clearly demonstrated that triethylene glycol could potentially be useful for insomnia therapy. Triethylene glycol is used for occasional constipation and other conditions.