Insomnia! page

[MPM]

Went primal about 18 days ago and I'm having major issues sleeping at night. Energy level during the day has been great but I can't sleep at night.

Any thoughts? Thanks

[Grizz]

Many if not most of us require less sleep after going primal. Both the wife & I wake up naturally about 2 hours earlier every day. How many hours are you sleeping each night?

Here are some natural sleeping aids recommended by members on this board:
Natural Calm was the most popular,
available at Health Food Stores & Amazon.Com
Natural Calm

valerian root, kava kava, or tea with valerian root in it

Melatonin with great success and no grogginess in the morning
+1 on the Melatonin!! Double or more the dose on the bottle...gives better dreams!
try 1mg of melatonin- (more is not better with this supplement.)


Bluebonnet brand liquid magnesium, one tablespoon about an hour before bed, works like a dream.
or Magnesium citrate 400-600 mg 1 hour before sleep.

Sleep Mask
Amazon.com: Aroma Home Silk Eye Mask Black: Health & Personal Care

Grizz

[Glamorama]

I had this happening, and fixed by doing 2 things: no coconut oil after 3 pm (it keeps me awake), and fish ol capsules taken no later than 5 pm. Both these actions fixed my sleep. I take 800 mg magnesium 2 hours prior to bed, it helps me have deep, restful sleep. I need 7.5-8 hours nightly.

[MPM]

I've been getting about 5 hours on good days and sometimes less when I have to get up early for work. I feel very tired around 9-10pm but when I actually try to go to bed, I cant fall asleep.

Thanks for the thoughts.

[LitheGrokkette]

Since I started taking Natural Calm I practically fall into a coma at night.

[Bananabonobo]

i try to go for the zero-interference approach on insomnia - set a nice rhythm and stick to it - but if there's any upset to that rhythm at all, i get thrown into a tailspin and it gets progressively worse. melatonin has been a good reset button on that for me - i.e., if i'm in bed and frustrated for more than half an hour, i take it and then feel confident that i won't throw the rhythm out of whack.

[RitaRose]

I try not to take my supplements anytime after dinner because some of them will keep me a little too alert (Magnesium being the obvious exception).

[ericsocialadr]

yap, the problem with sleepin, i think it happens often, but thanks for the tips , very helpful... ))

[Lovelessk]

I suggest avoiding melatonin like it was poison.

My doctor has some amazing horror stories of melatonin dependance some folks develop once their body stops making it naturally. (EDIT: ymmv)

It's supposed to be a GREAT way to become an insomniac for life.

I never slept like normal people anyway; but, you could always try switching your workouts around. On VLC a workout puts me to bed. When a bit higher in carbs, it has me up all day.

Using any chemical, natural or not, would be the LAST thing to try when adjusting imho.

[Grizz]

I have just discovered the FINAL FIX for my insomnia problems, and sooo simple !

Just take seaweed supplements for iodine. Dr. Davis recommends 500 mcg to 1,000 mcg daily of kelp supplements.

The RDA for non-lactating adults is 150 mcg per day, the quantity required to not have a goiter, but not necessarily ideal thyroid health. I’ve therefore been advising 500-1000 mcg per day from an iodine supplement, such as kelp tablets (dried seaweed), available at health food stores (not pharmacies). (note:Read his warnings)

Also see these important links:
How to Self-Test for an Iodine Deficiency
Iodine Deficiency | University of Michigan Health System

Grizz