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Insomnia! *MEGA-thread*

My bf used to have trouble sleeping. he definitely sleeps better in the winter than summer btw.

what helps him too is having a fan - the white noise and also the air flow. (but he has a bit of sleep apnea too).

i think a lot of people have the frontal lobe over-development thing going on. this is where the 'security' instinct and fear, etc. reside and he has had good results going back to his childhood and finding exactly when he started finding the need to develop this 'security section' of his brain.

once this area of the brain is so developed it can't be reversed - but he has had luck in learning to just letting the thoughts pass him by. like said above meditation is very helpful in this. hope this makes sense...

he used to lay awake at night worrying about all the things that happened and 'could' happen, etc. now he gets up very early and is busy all day and comes home exhausted and this really helps too.

having other things to think about as well as meditating is helping a lot.

i can see how this cold cap might really work! it might cut off blood flow to the frontal lobe? because it definitely seems to get worse for him he is hot. hmmm maybe that is why a cold damp washcloth on the forehead helps with relaxing...
 
That's really interesting. I'll have to see how I can make that work here!
 
Cooling down the head is great in stressful situations. But as bluelighters seem to have this problem I think its a result of drug use and stress problems. Don't overdo it!
 
Learning self hypnosis or buying a self hypnosis CD can really help your mind relax and aid falling to sleep. Have used them myself in the past and they are great for slowing down your thought patterns when required.
 
Marijuana can help with sleep problems. So can a glass of wine. But also things like meditation can be tremendiously helpful. I try to lay on my back and focus on my breathing. As a breathe I don't allow myself to move around at all (ie even if somethings itchy I just work in into my head that the itch will go away). Slowly my body relaxes from toes to the head, and eventually its hard not to fall asleep. Memory foam matresses rock too :) good luck to everyone finding what works for u.
 
^I am aware that, anecdotally at least, that people report that marijuana helps with sleep problems but I find that it has the opposite effect on me. I thought that it does something that decreases your stage 4 and REM sleep?
 
Anyone have any tips for getting rid of insomnia or making it less prevalent?

I have it and in the past I tried doing things like doing lots of cardio exercise during the day or lifting to make myself tired, avoiding naps, getting up and going to bed at the same time daily, and avoiding caffeine after

I tried things like Valerian supplements and Melatonin but those didn't work but the Melatonin and B3 gave me vivid dreams when I finally did fall asleep. I've never taken any of those OTC sleep meds like sleeping pills or Tylenol PM. I've also never taken any pharm. insomnia meds like Ambien or that pill where they have commercials with the Luna moth in them. I have also never taken benzos recreationally, and when I was into opiates-I don't use any drugs now-I just would nod heavily but I wouldn't sleep while on them.

I do mediate daily but I don't do it while I'm falling asleep since I don't want to associate getting into a meditative state with sleeping if that makes sense.

I don't use any cannabis now and when I did the only way I could fall asleep on it was if I was coming down.
 
I've researched this extensively across many different areas, all because insomnia has been the one constant in my life, so I'll list some of the common root causes I know about

Polyphasic sleep - you might think you have insomnia just because you can't fit into the normal world's schedule, but your body's natural cycle works on a different time. This was a HUGE discovery for me because I used to think I was abnormal for not being able to ever go to sleep at 11pm. I've discovered that my natural rhythm is from 2am-10am. I sleep much better on that schedule. Polyphasic sleep theory tells us that there are many patterns, and that most of society does not revolve around monophasic sleep (getting all your sleep in one big chunk). Studies show that the majority of humanity would do better with their sleep split up, particularly with a nap in the late afternoon. There are even people out there who function better sleeping in a few three hour blocks within 24 hours. So ask yourself... if allowed to sleep when YOU want, are you an insomniac?

Conflict resolution - in New German Medicine and in PTSD studies, there is a lot being uncovered about how insomnia is a process where there is an ongoing conflict that needs resolving before the person can sleep, even if the person is unaware of a direct conflict. In the pre-historic world, the conflict would be something like a predator stalking you, making you sleep with one eye open. In the modern world our conflicts are mostly psychological, but the physical reaction is still the same. If you can improve the way you resolve challenges in your life, your sleep can improve. These people have trouble getting to sleep and often their REM sleep is hectic. They also have trouble letting go and feeling safe around sleep time. They might be completely exhausted but some part of them will force them to press on and stay awake. If you feel actual resistance around bedtime you might fall in this category.

Nutrition - people who don't eat well or for whatever reason don't absorb nutrition tend to suffer from blood deficiency disturbing the mind. It's not about blood volume but blood quality. Inadequate calories or missing certain types of nutrients can trigger sleep interruptions or an inability to achieve deep restorative sleep. These people need to be sedated through nourishment. Usually warm property, mineral rich things tend to work: dates, lotus seed, reishi mushroom, lilly bulb extract, honey, warm things that are mildly sweet and easy to digest, etc. For people in this category, a glass of warm, slightly sweetened milk would work, whereas for other people it does nothing. All the nourishing things that are sedating supposedly contain higher levels of magnesium and potassium.

Environment - noise or lack of background noise (depends on the person), wrong room temperature, poor air circulation, bed is uncomfortable, too much light (even from something small like an alarm clock), etc.

Association - your sleeping area should be reserved for sleep only, or things that relate to going to sleep. Doing school work or big projects while you're in bed creates the association that bed is for mentally active things.

Inconsistent schedule - if your biorhythm is constantly changing then sleep will never be consistent. Your circadian rhymth relates to things like the time you go to sleep and get up, what time your meals tend to be during the day, and rest/active cycles. If your schedule while you're conscious is hectic, then your schedule around your unconscious time will also be. The two go together.

Body/mind out of synch - your mind is tired but your body is not due to lack of movement/exercise in your day; or your body is tired but you haven't had enough mental stimulation.

Fright - some people get startled really easily and this includes when they are asleep. If you sneak up on these people and scare them, they will go flying. They also tend to be a bit spacey and ungrounded as people. In eastern medicine we say that these people have kidney deficiency. It relates more to the root of the body not being strong. In modern terms these people usually have adrenal burnout and the cortisol levels in their blood make them jumpy. Herbs like rhodiola, holy basil, ashwaganda, adrenal cortex tissue (usually porcine), and L-phenylalanine can help.

General herbs:
If you're hot when everyone else is cold: milky oats, sage officianalis (as tea), chamomile, california poppy. The last one is good for addiction related insomnia.
If you're cold when everyone else is hot: valerian, passion flower.
* For those who have access to the wrong type for them, you can make an herb warm by adding ginger or make an herb cooler by adding mint
Insomnia + stress, or insomnia where you can't stop fidgeting in bed: lemon balm
Muscle aches and spasms, including coughing from bronchiospasm: licorice root.
 
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Try getting yourself to be PHYSICALLY TIRED, not just mentally exhausted. This means the dreaded exercising!!! Also NO computer or TV or excessive cell phone-ing before you try and go to sleep.
 
Can't sleep by myself!!!

here is, I can't remember the last time I slept by my own. Thing, I take seroquel to sleep and SEROQUEL SLEEPS ME (russian reversal yeh). Today I went to dr to say I dont want it anymore and blah. so im here now, waiting for my brain shut down, but nothing. I am little hypomanic I think, if we can measure it. I just want to feel sleepy like all humans do, those that simply "work", without a bunch of chemicals. damm. who else like me?
 
It has only been one day since you got off the Seroquel, give yourself time to adjust! Why were you prescribed Seroquel for sleep? Have you been diagnosed with a sleep disorder? Did your doctor simply give you Seroquel and send you on your way, or did they go through other things that can help (routine, hygiene etc)?

I'd be looking at your sleep hygiene and routine immediately, and learning some meditation/relaxation exercises to assist you. Exercise and keeping physically active throughout the day will also help, as may looking at your diet. Melatonin or herbal supplements may be worth looking in to if your sleeping issues persist.

There are TONS of things you can do (which are a hell of a lot better than relying on Seroquel imo), just don't expect it anything to work immediately - keep at it, and I'm sure things will improve. If not, speak to your doctor and perhaps ask for a referral to a sleep specialist.
 
yes, big thumbs-down for zdrugs/benzo's.

Anyways yeah if you're coming off seroquel (which is the strongest sleeping agent I've ever tried bar-none), plz do not expect that you can just be fine on day1. It will take a little bit for schedules to get back in-line (during which time, sleep aids will seem like a no brainer :| ), so keep the end in mind ;]
 
i hate seroquil
i was on ambien for a long time eventually it stops working though

i do take melatonin and it sometimes helps
my ob doc keeps telling me to use benedryl if i really cant fall asleep because its safe for pregnant women but i hate that stuff it makes me feel like crap usually i am ok though
occasionally if i get real anxious i will take .5 mg lorazepam
 
fucking hate benadryl, shit gives me these feelings in my legs, very subtle but distinct, that're totally the way i remember dope-shivers from w/d's feeling :|
/yes, i still occasionally take benadryl. logic, how does it work??
 
setting up a regular sleep/wake schedule, balanced diet, regular physical fitness, and occasional melatonin usage gives me great nights sleep. also using the bedroom for ONLY sleep and sex really helps.
 
I havnt had anything that resembles a sleep schedule for about 9 years. Take clonazepam but it dosnt knock me out. Quite high tolerance though which would be why. Pretty sure I have delayed sleep phase syndrome. Get tired wayy after i should be. Reallly fucks with my life. Seems I can only sleep when someone is sleeping next to me. I lived with my boyfriend the past year and it by no means fixed it but I actually slept every night almost. Amazing. I want to find someone to sleep with..no sex..no relationship just a sleeping partnership lol but not having any luck with that. Just got prescribed trazadone but i am scared to take it. Have taken serequel in the past all it did was give me extreeeme rls and agitation. i did sleep but i would wake up with those things and horrible hangovers...woulda felt better if i never slept at all..seems like traz is somewhat like that? I dont think drs will prescribe me anything that could be addictive anymore..so i dont know what to do seems like ive tried everything...wish sleep was optional...
 
I'm in the same boat as you. I'm in bed right now trying to sleep but I can't sleep alone worth a shit. I got a queen size bed and tons of pillows. pick a side and ill take my side. no funny business; junkie's honor.
 
At what point?

At what point do you typically give up on sleep and get up?

I've been finding I go to bed around 8:30/9p only to wake around 3a... Most times I am able to fall back to sleep within a half hour...

This morning, I woke around 2a and by 3a figured I may as well get up (I start my day around 5a, so what's two hours earlier?...)... I blame it on drugs (just started an anti-biotic that I've taken in the past that has caused sleeplessness)...
 
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