Gabapentin is not a pain medication per se. It was developed as a seizure drug, but has been used “off label “ as an effective treatment for diabetic neuropathic pain. One way Gabapentin works for pain is through sleep. Deep sleep (stage 4 sleep) is necessary for the release of growth hormone, which mediates the pain threshold. So the way Gabapentin aids pain control is by raising the pain threshold through deep sleep. It is most effective for the pain relief of diabetic neuropathic pain. This action is probably through another mechanism rather than the improvement in sleep.