Insomnia, and NOTHING works to fix it. I am looking for those who might be able to offer their exp

reply to post by CAELENIUM


That's the most psuedoscientific anaylsis of insomnia I've ever read......I'm just completely baffled.

I am actually glad that you started this thread, after just getting a 2 night hour of sleep. Insomnia seems to have been eating away at my life for over 10 years and I am only 18. The normal night for me is around 2 hours of sleep. I do get those really good nights where it seems like I get close to around 6 hours (which is still not good compared to the normal individual with a normal sleep schedule, regardless of whether or not I need different hours of sleep).

Your health is a very personal issue, though. I've been trying everything, besides prescription drugs, for years. Sleep aids in the form of herbs and/or hormones seem to just make me feel worse. I can get damn tired, but my head won't shut off and it is absolute torture, it feels much better to just sit there with the lights on sometimes.

When we go through this year after year, our whole brain chemistry changes, so it makes sense that it's not easy for us to get back into our normal state.

It's very important to look at our mental and emotional health. Obviously something happened that changed your thinking process and brain chemistry.

Do you feel very emotional at times along with the anxiety? Something happened in my life which really make my mind focus and over-analyze on the negative aspects of my life added to the fact that I am also a very caring individual. It's like a chain of thoughts which start if I think just a little too much and it will pop up in my head all throughout the day and night, and for me, I believe this is the main factor in keeping me from relaxing and falling asleep.

On the days where I can shut out over-thinking and emotional fears, I feel absolutely the best. Ignorance truly is bliss.. for some.

reply to post by TheArchaeologist


Hello. I read through the various thread, and I think some of the suggestions are useful in regards to detox.

I suggest you look into nutrition as the answer - it's the most powerful 'drug' out there, and we take it in several times a day. Yes, exercise is critical, as well as meditation or yoga or some form of whole body relaxation.

Please look into the whole 'raw food diet' (also called living food diet).

Here is a link: www.rawpeople.com...:benefits-of-raw-foods-a-cure-for-insomnia&catid=83:rotate-news

I think doing a living/raw food diet may be an answer. Not only does it help detox, but by it's very nature helps the body balance nutrients, hormones, and enzymes that probably contribute to insomnia. The medical profession (I use the term loosely) doesn't have all the answers, and prescriptions of drugs, while they may seem to work, only throw the body out of balance. Balance that can best be fixed by natural foods, and foods that are also called 'superfoods'. Superfoods like Maca, or spirulina & chlorella, MSM, can help the body recover from stresses and injuries, and help regulate the hormones. By eating a mostly plant-based diet, you will detox, and restore a lot of normal body functions. The Hippocrates Institute has some decent literature and programs, as does the Gerson Institute.

I would also look into B-12 (methylcobalamin version seems to be the best - they sell them in patches), and lotion based Magnesium Chloride (there is a nice bath crystal version). Most people are deficient in these two items (regardless of diet), and having them supplemented (both are very inexpensive) has changed many people's lives for the better. Deficiencies in these two substances are direct causes of insomnia, according to my research. Plenty of online links to corroborate those two items. Many of these substances are useful in the morning, leading to a better sleep at night. Taking them at bedtime isn't the best solution since they can cause insomnia by giving too much energy (like Maca could).

Have you done a blood test? In many cases, a good bloodwork will identify some deficiencies in areas that can be focused on. I'll bet that some items are out of whack and can be identified through a good bloodwork analysis. Many people find that they have a thyroid problem through bloodwork. There are many, many natural ways to help fix hyperthyroidism through diet, if that turns out to be the case. Maca, B-12, Spirulina/Chlorella, etc. all appear to be solid solutions.

Cheers, and best wishes for a speedy identification/correction of your ailment. I'm sure that diet will help alleviate the issue!

I am the same as you, no prescription drugs work for me either... My insomnia is so bad that I usually don't sleep for 3 days at a time and i have gone for 9 days once without any sleep what-so-ever.

The only thing that has been able to somewhat cure it is smoking cannabis when I need to sleep. And yes I know its illegal in most countries but it helps and I would sooner break the law than go insane from lack of sleep

Having had some sleep problems, here's what worked for me;
Vitamin D and Iron supplements (Magnesium works for other folks as well). Vitamin D gets created when you are in the sun, and busy office drones don't get a good dose. If you are low in iron, or slightly anemic, this can be a factor.

Have you had a good workout -- where you WORE YOURSELF OUT?

If you "wake up" with breathing trouble, or snore a lot -- it could be a respiration problem.

Also, there are numerous physical problems that can lead to Sleep disorders; Thalamus issues, Fatty Liver Syndrome, etc.

Also, sometimes anti-depressants or EVEN stimulants used for ADD can help -- as "artists" and creative types, often have low levels of Seratonin. Staying awake inhibits the re-uptake of Seratonin, and some anti depressants work by inhibiting the "removal" of Seratonin.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

>> I would say that a Trauma could "START" and insomnia -- but my guess is, you might have some Depression which his basically when your brain/body KEEPS you down -- you don't bounce back when the trauma is gone. That would be the place I'd start in your case.

reply to post by gconran


I would agree with your diet idea, but a diet is rarely going to fix an issue that is mainly psychological. It's just my experience, but focusing too much on diet has made a lot of things worse for me over the years. As soon as I eased up on all of these things in my life which I seek to control, things got a lot better.

I think he needs less things to worry about, not more.

reply to post by SunnyDee


I have to disagree.. some trauma can run so deep it could take most of your life to figure out and not sleeping until you "figure things out" is only going to make the situation more difficult, make you more anxious and stressed out.

First, have you looked into hyperthyroid? It often causes insomnia. Also, do you meditate? It doesn't have to be a spiritual meditation, just meditate or do yoga! Try something like this. Get on as strict a schedule as possible and lay down at the same time every night no matter if you are tired or not. Finally, if nothing helps ask your doctor for a referral to a sleep specialist. Hope this helps.

Dear OP,

I believe there's several extenuating factors involved in your issue:

1) emotional trauma you need to come to terms with and make peace over it.

2) forgive yourself and anyone else who may be a source of emotional disturbance

3) due to the elevated stress and anxiety levels, you aren't utilizing nutritition in the same way, so those who say a dietary change/supplementatoin may be in order, are probably right.

4) sleep apnea may be a factor, but as was mentioned earlier, proper nutrition and dealing with your aforementioned trauma, may solve the apnea.

i agree with people who have suggested methylcobalamin (methyl b-12 form, has to be methyl form of b-12 not just normal b-12) and various greens, and restoration of alkaline balance.

you might also consider dramamine (motion sickness medicine) provided you don't have any allergies to its ingredients, although that's only a temporary fix and not something you want to rely on.

Take all the electronics out of your bedroom, electronic interference can alter the brain waves the body creates when diving into a deep sleep.

Plus, Psilocybin Cubensis may help you deal with any remaining emotional turmoil left over from your past trauma. It may not be easy, but it will be helpful. Find a shaman, medicine man, someone who can guide you through the 'process.'

You must turn and face that which you are arfaid of, or it will haunt you forever.

May peace be yours, intrepid friend.

Originally posted by jimnuggits
Take all the electronics out of your bedroom, electronic interference can alter the brain waves the body creates when diving into a deep sleep.

Plus, Psilocybin Cubensis may help you deal with any remaining emotional turmoil left over from your past trauma. It may not be easy, but it will be helpful. Find a shaman, medicine man, someone who can guide you through the 'process.'

You must turn and face that which you are arfaid of, or it will haunt you forever.

May peace be yours, intrepid friend.

i wouldn't follow this ^ guy's suggestion of usig psilocybin but i do think removing electronic gadgets might be helpful. and also, determine if your sleeping area is in an electric field such as close to a fuse box or electrical box outside the house.

I'll run a more natural remedy. Leave the drugs alone...although, medicinal marijuana does help.

I recommend meditation and some breathing techniques. What I've found through personal experience with this breathing technique, is that the breathing lowers your oxygen levels...making your body tired and sleepy, plain and simple and it works. I found this out accidentally.

What you do is, inhale through the nostrils deeply, nearly to the point where you can no longer accommodate more air, hold for 5 or 10 secs, then breathe out until you've expelled most of that air, then hold for 5 or 10 secs again, repeat.

Then, repeat the same exercise as above, but this time, you're trying to hold your breath for much longer periods, until your body begs for air, and you release. Hold until your body needs air, breathe in slowly through the nostrils, hold...repeat.

Do this over the course of 15 to 20 minutes.

It also increases your lung's capacity and power. When you breathe out, or in, focus on using your diaphragm muscles. With your mind, really concentrate on this exercise.

I discovered this accidentally while practicing it in the bus on my way home from work one day, and about 10 minutes after doing it...I became incredibly sleepy and wanted to sleep so badly. If you do this after you've given your body a task that uses a lot of energy(like digesting a fairly large meal, or after exercising), it works faster...sort of like a stronger dose. On a side note, exercise does help insomnia. When you do it, do not focus on your doing it to follow asleep, leave sleep out of your mind. Just focus on your breathing, lie to yourself and tell yourself you're doing it to have more powerful, healthier lungs. Give it a try and let me knows how it works.

I'm sure a lot I'm about to say has been covered, but I have dealt with sleeping problems the majority of my life and this is what has worked for me:

Like others have said, your definatly goin to want to detox off of what your already on. Not only for health reasons, but also because once you've built up such a high tolerance your meds are no longer doing anything for you.

Next, exercise preferably right before you go to bed. You want your heart rate still a little high when you lay down so that as the adrenalin wears off you'll naturally be more tired and able to relax further than you normally would just going strait to bed.

Finally, even though the meds your on are strong does not neccesarily mean all over he counter meds and supplements aren't going to work. Its a matter of finding what works for your body, and stronger meds isn't always the solution. Try different combos of meletonin, triptophan, valarian root, chamomile tea. If you go the tea route try adding a shot of your favorite liquor to it.

Most importantly, avoid caffinated or sugar everything! If you need to sweeten something try honey instead of going straight to table sugar.

Another thing to try, that works for some, is the brainwave music...these are relaxing songs that have a wave embeded into the track that emulates the natural frequencies of a relaxed mind. This combined with a few min. of meditation can work great for many with no need for meds or supplements at all.

If all else fails Nyquil baby!!!

Good luck, and I wish you the best.

Participate in a sleep study, let them figure it out for you.

Why wouldn't you be interested in trying weed ?

You have been using sleeping drugs far more dangerous than the natural weed... Being on ATS you should know better. Don't fall into the Social/Commercial/politics stigma.

Also run, run, run until you can't anymore there's nothing better than exercise.

smoke weed, drink milk, meditate, or make your intake of melatonin higher

what helpf is really simple but u have to understand it yourself:
become the room that you are by first imagining that u are the room in which u are sleeping...meditate on the walls of your room by having the feeling you are the room....do that as often as u can and it will get better..i swear.
first u feel more awake then before..but to have a good sleep u have to accept everything within...and let it flow..it seems that ur mind tries to keep u awake to not let the unconscious aspects remember u of what u dont want to see....
Give it some space...

reply to post by TheArchaeologist


I eat cereal (fiber bran) when I wake up early which is about every morning, most times 4am etc. If I get up too early I will take my safety valve drug (Benadryl) Taking things that are too potent can make you feel like a zombie when you walk up later in the morning to do your days routine.

I try not to even take Benadryl because that even makes me kind of groggy but I have it at my night stand when I need it but not very often (so far anyway). I used to take Benadryl all the time but quit that.

The cereal takes a while to kick in but reading a bit on the computer (ATS as long as it isn't too spookey).

This process may or may not help you, because cereal could cause nightmares. Liquid could cause a feeling of your stomach feeling bloated. But I think overall it helps me and a few nightmares here and there could be dealt with. At least so far I think so.

Plus you may not be older and need fiber brand like I do, so you could pick another cereal that will make you sleepy after awhile. If you are an exercise fanatic and find your gaining weight because of not working off the cereal I am not sure what to tell you.

Good luck !!!!

I am a pharmacist and have had the same problems with ambien and lunesta. I ended up having to going to a detox center . I stayed up two days and did not need those meds when I got out. Get off those meds ASAP.

The most important part of falling asleep, to me, is having a routine( I read; if I wake up I read again). Keep a fan on for white noise. Keep the room cool. If needed, meditate in some form- I use a word with no meaning that I think over and over again, as opposed to counting sheep.If you do need to take any meds take only natural forms like tryptophan, melatonin, valerian. Keep any animals out of the bedroom that may wake you. Cover your windows with anything black to block out morning sun, if needed.

Finally pray to God that you sleep well that night. Not trying to be a thumper but it does work for me.

Good luck and God bless you.

reply to post by TheArchaeologist


Melatonin 3mg and up will knock you out... It is a natural hormone that is excreted from your brain and it regulates sleep... It is also a antioxidant so it's nice nice for your body... It is also good for radiation poisoning which is good with all the japan # going on... It's cheep and you can get it at CVS, Rite-aid or any type of drug store... I like the extended release because I feel like the normal release just doesn't make it through the night...
Also I like white noise or brown noise (has more bass, making it less hissy) You can make brown/white noise with audacity's (open source) noise generator... I make a hour noise and set it on a loop to play all night... you could also generate 68mins (because 70min won't quite fit) and burn it to a CD and play that on a loop on a CD player... This will make you sleep like a BABY! I GUARANTEE IT!