You’re Getting Sleepy...or Not.
Updated: May 23, 2022
If you’re reading this at 3am because the hamster in the habitrail between your ears just got rolling when your weary head hit the pillow three bloody hours ago-- but, hey, who’s counting-- relax.
You’re in the right place. We’re going to talk insomnia here, what it is and what to do about it.
Sleepless in Seattle. And Other Places.
Basically insomnia is exactly what you know it to be: a condition marked by trouble falling or staying asleep. Between 10 and 20% of people deal with it, and half of those do so chronically.
SOURCE: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3632369/ Just lovely, right?
But as if that weren’t peachy enough, many people suffer daytime consequences because of their poor sleep. Here are a few:
*Fatigue. An overall lack of energy.
*Malaise. Just not feeling well.
*Attention, Memory, or Concentration that’s just not up to snuff.
*Grouchiness. (Who, me?)
*Daytime sleepiness. Now it comes… seriously?
*Slacker-looking motivation. Without the gaming habit.
*Accident-prone. Walk much?
*Worrying about not sleeping. It’s a thing.
*Headaches or Gastrointestinal issues. The fun never ends.
Think maybe sleep is more than just a break from scrolling?
Why Me?
Insomnia does have its favorites. If you are a woman, especially African American; are older than younger; have been divorced or separated; or are depressed, it’s got eyes for you.
SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.NCBI.NLM.NIH.GOV/PMC/ARTICLES/pmc3632369/
What’s Going On?
So what gives? Why can’t you sleep? It’s not like you’re not tired. Studies have shown that many insomniacs experience high cortisol levels-- the stress hormone-- both day and night. So while insomnia is called a sleeping disorder, it looks a lot like hyperarousal. Being on edge. Ringing any bells?
Sufferers have high metabolisms, lots of cortisol during early sleep, and a low vagal tone in their Heart Rate Variability (HRV), which is a long way of saying they’re really sensitive to stress.
Why Not Just Live with It?
If misery alone isn’t reason enough to deal with it, chronic insomnia has some potentially scary compadres that sometimes join the party, like depression, anxiety, car accidents, immune issues, and even suicide. So let’s dive into how to tame this beast.
SOURCE: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Where’s My Undergrad Business Law Professor When I Need Him?
Since Mr. Julian isn’t available to drone us all to sleep every night, here’s a list of things to try:
Relaxation training. Things like yoga and meditation that calm your mind.
Stimulus control therapy. Rewiring yourself for sleep instead of alertness at bedtime.
Sleep restriction therapy. This starts with measuring your actual sleep and minimizing your lying awake in bed.
Sleep hygiene. Tilt your bedroom and your habits to win at sleep.
Cognitive restructuring. Techniques that help you find negative thought patterns and change them.
SOURCE: https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3554970/#idm139662849764816title
What About CBD?
I thought you’d never ask. While the above behavioral tools can work, they take time and perseverance. And sometimes you need some help along the way. CBD is proving to be just that for many people struggling with sleep.
The Goods on CBD.
Right off the bat, Hemp has essential minerals, all 21 amino acids, and every single one of the B vitamins. (You might want to share some with your friends without sleep issues-- just saying.)
SOURCE: Journal of American Osteopathic Association. Anne Marie Uwitonze. “Role of Magnesium in Vitamin D ACtivity and Function.”
Magnificent Magnesium and Dynamic Vitamin D.
Back to the minerals. Studies show that many people with insomnia are low in magnesium, especially women. In fact, up to 50% of Americans are magnesium-deficient. But our superhero CBD is packed with it.
SOURCE: Amerisleep.com/blog/MagnesiumandSleep
Low levels of magnesium also render your vitamin D supply useless. It can’t be metabolized without it. And since vitamin D has been linked to quality sleep, we want it doing the heavy lifting, not lying dormant in our bodies.
Marvelous Melatonin.
In addition to the magnesium factor, Hemp boosts your natural melatonin levels. Melatonin controls your sleep cycle. So why not just take the kind from the bottle at the drug store?
Because like most things in life, building melatonin from the inside (with the ingredients Hemp gives you) is better for you. It’s less likely to disturb your hormones, and your body knows exactly what to create just for you.
Outstanding Omega 3’s.
Another amazing thing about Hemp is its Omega 3’s. These are polyunsaturated fats-- the good kind-- and you must ingest these (unlike melatonin) because your body doesn’t build them. If you’re low on these guys, your melatonin runs low, and we’ve already been there, right?
Sleepy Yet?
If you’re not already snoring to high heaven-- you’re welcome, btw-- here’s the moral of the story:
*CBD has no found side effects. It does have tons of health-affirming elements.
*Not sleeping or sleeping poorly is bad for you.
*Doing things that help you get more quality sleep just makes sense.
*CBD is one of these things for many people. Try it. Ours is drinkable. It’s called MORE Water.
It makes use of nanotechnology, making the hemp even more absorbable in your body. Even more likely than this blog to put you to sleep. No, seriously.
SOURCE: https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/268447986/
Additional Potential Lists.
Foods with Magnesium:
Almonds
Egg yolks
Bananas
Bean
Broccoli
Flaxseed
Fish with Omega 3’s:
Anchovies
Wild-caught Salmon
Tuna
Herring
Mackerel
Sardines