The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Magnesium
Posted by Bama (Bama) on 02/29/2016
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I have ibs-d and insomnia. Ted (I think) suggested magnesium for the insomnia, but I have to be careful taking it because of the diarrhea. So, I've been reading and have heard of something called angstrom magnesium--such small particles that it bypasses the gut and goes straight into the system. So, I got some and tried it last night--had diarrhea all day today. I also do the mag oil, so am I getting too much? It did seem to help me sleep, I was groggy most of today, but it wasn't a good sound sleep. I wake and doze all night. I also take niacin (500 mg 2X/day), the code kind of multivitamin, d3, b complex, astaxanthin (4 mg/d), calcium aep (don't remember the dose) and ubiquinol (200 mg/d). I use the mag oil in the morning after my shower, about a tablespoon worth. I thought the angstrom kind didn't cause digestive upset--maybe it was something else? I really felt under the weather all day. Thanks for the input.
Dead Sea Salts Bath
Posted by Terri (Fl, USA) on 07/25/2015
Thanks so much Dave! Ive had insomnia for a couple years now. Seems to be a problem due to getting "older". I used to sleep with no problems. You didn't mention where you buy the dead sea salt. I will try Whole Foods tomorrow.....hoping they have it.
Slow Breathing
Posted by Leila (Europe) on 04/17/2015
★★★★★
Hi everyone,
I often have trouble falling asleep, recently I found out about the the "4-7-8" breathing trick, and it seems to work for me.
"You breathe in through your nose for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale through your mouth for eight seconds. She explained to me that it slows down your heart rate and it also releases chemicals in our brains that soothe you".
Article about it on Dr Weil's site here.
Inositol
Posted by Hollyhock (America ) on 08/10/2023
Gary, what dosage are you taking?
L-Tryptophan
Posted by Bama (Bama, US) on 03/06/2015
I've had great success with l-tryptophan and l-glycine for insomnia. To keep costs down, I bought the bulk powders of each. L-glycine is sweet and easy to take. But, the l-tryptophan tastes horrible and I can't get it to dissolve. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? A reviewer stated to mix with collagen, so I did that and it worked but wow that taste is awful! I can stomach anything, but I'll take suggestions if anyone can offer them. Thanks.
Old Pine Vinegar
Posted by Stanley (Singapore ) on 03/04/2015
2 table spoon of old pine vinegar will give you a good sleep.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Donna (Virginia) on 04/24/2022
Do you take everything you mentioned right before you go to bed?
Niacinamide
Posted by Timh (KY) on 03/04/2015 2042 posts
L: To gain the most benefits I almost always take 50mg Niacin
w/ either 500mg Nicinamide or 500mg Inositolhexaniacinate. At 50mg Niacin, taken several times per day, the flush is almost never for me. This must be why they make a 500mg Niacin as a "time release" which some folks report w/ good results.
Using all three forms of Niacin must produce a more broadspectuim effect which may be necessary for some folks that don't get such a positive response w/ only Nicinamde as yourself.
Speaking of "broad spectrum", Chromium and Ribose synergize w/ Niacin to produce benefits like lowering blood lipids & sugars, as well as needed weight loss.
Niacinamide
Posted by Rsw (Uniontown, Oh) on 03/04/2015
Hi Timh,
I read your post on the niacin. Thanks, as always! Does taking a low dose several times a day help with your sleep without making you too tired during the day? I'm not too fond of the flush and this sounds like a good option. Good for the heart, too. I didn't realize it came in 25-50mg until you mentioned it. Thanks!
Niacinamide
Posted by Timh (KY) on 03/05/2015 2042 posts
Rsw: I have so much amiss in my physiology to provide any normal reference as to sleep or waking. If tiredness is an issue as a side effect of Niacin, try the Chromium and Ribose in combination. There are a few manufacturers who have these NAD precursor nutrients that ultimately raise the body NADH levels.
Additional B-6 may also prove beneficial w/ Niacin especially for heart health by reducing Homocystein.
I haven't found any Niacin below 100mg and split these w/ a pair of scissors to 50mg.
Niacinamide
Posted by Rsw (Uniontown, Oh) on 03/05/2015
Hi Timh,
After reading your post on niacin, I started to look around for a low dose option and found that Dr. Clark has a 25mg capsule at a good price. I am going to try it. Thanks!
For neuropathy caused by statins, there is new research on the use of dolichols that looks encouraging. For more info, look at the Stopped our Statins Yahoo site.
Niacinamide
Posted by Timh (KY) on 03/06/2015 2042 posts
Thanks for all your support Rsw. Let me assure you that no matter how much my Dr. demanded the statins, it was so much in the category of not medicine and yes toxin that I discontinued. It was worth the try and I even took it in combination w/ Red Yeast Rice and Niacin plus CoQ10. Low dose statins plus these additional nutrients may be beneficial in some cases of advanced heart disease.
Dr. Sinatra has found that women are much more sensitive to the side effects of statins than men. speaking of Dr Sinatra, he has a new publication out on the big cholesterol myth and did a lengthy interview w/ Pat Robertson tonight. Here is a link http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2015/February/Heart-Disease-Cholesterol-Is-Not-the-Real-Enemy/
Niacinamide
Posted by Rsw (Uniontown, Oh) on 03/06/2015
Hi Timh,
Dr. Sinatra seems to be one of a few doctors who have an honest understanding of heart disease. I have read other articles he has written and often take his recommendation of CoQ10, d-Ribose and Carnitine. I found a carnitine product that has L-Carnitine, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Arginate and Taurinate and GlycoCarn-GPLCto to cover all the bases. This combination helps relieve symptoms in congestive heart failure and with hearts in general. Ironically, one person got a snapshot of a warning on the British National Socialized medicine site saying there is an epidemic of CHF expected due to the use of statins because of the muscle damage they can cause, which of course includes our largest muscle, the heart. It has since been removed. Dr. Graveline, Space Doc, astronaut and MD, has had a difficult time after taking statins, but is doing very well after using dolichols for the muscle damage. There is hope!
L-Tryptophan
Posted by Janet (Jefferson, Mo) on 01/05/2015
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
I have chronic insomnia--can't get to sleep or stay asleep. I have tried everything. The latest is l-tryptophan. I took 3 capsules w/ a magnesium tablet and slept so very well. Woke up several times, felt like I was floating in a cloud, very relaxed. Next night, took same combo and slept but not as well. Night number 3 it was hours before I fell asleep and then I woke up very early and couldn't drift back off. I feel I'm on the right track here, but how do I tweak it a bit? If I could get back to that first night's reaction, I would call it fantastic and just do that forever.
L-Tryptophan
Posted by Art (California ) on 01/05/2015 2715 posts
Tryptophan is metabolized into melatonin. I have taken melatonin as a sleep aid and it has helped, but the effect is not always lasting so I have gotten in the habit of taking one capsule about two hours before I plan to go to bed and then one more capsule an hour later and then one capsule at bedtime. It is harder to take this way than just three capsules at bedtime, but it seems more effective for me this way because I am quite drowsy by the time I go to bed and I sleep without waking, unless I have to go the bathroom, but I fall right back to sleep after the bathroom.
I imagine that taking it this way would be similar to timed release melatonin, but I have tried timed release melatonin and it didn't work as well as taking the melatonin as above in a one, two, three fashion.
I've never tried it with tryptophan, so I don't know if it would work the same.
I only use this method when I know I want or need to get a good night's rest and it has been fairly reliable toward that end.
Art
Hypnic Jerks
Posted by Hayley (Washington State) on 07/29/2014
I've had severe hypnic jerks at least 6 nights a week for close to 8 or more years that disrupted my sleep to no end. Even when I could sleep, I couldn't because the jerks kept me from falling asleep. I've spend hours researching the underlying cause to no end. Magnesium oil helped to a limited to degree, but that's about it until I read a few comments about Benadryl causing hypnic jerks. After reading this, I researched it, and found it's true so I went off it--I had been taking it on a daily basis for allergies and migraine headaches for years. Since I went off the Benadryl, I've had 3 hypnic jerks in the nine nights I've been off it.
I'm convinced hypnic jerks are a side-effect of a lot of meds, and would urge anyone suffering from them to google everything they take with the word 'myoclonus' to see if it's a side-effect. If it is, and you're able to go off the med, your jerks should settle down as mine did.
Sodium Bentonite Clay
Posted by Rick (Wayne, Va) on 06/24/2014
I have chronic insomnia. None of the supplements/herbs I have tried do anything for it. Some do help me to sleep but then I have diarrhea from them. Does anyone have experience with clay? I hear it goes to the place in most need of healing first--do you think it would go to whatever is wrong and then I'd be able to sleep? I took 1 dose of sodium bentonite clay and had muscle aches, headache, belly cramping. Now I hear that the calcium bentonite would be a better option. Anyone?
Sodium Bentonite Clay
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 06/24/2014
Rick, I have never heard of clay being used for insomnia. Snoop around the internet and you will find the differences in the two clays. But for insomnia, maybe try the ideas on the insomnia page right here on EC.
Sodium Bentonite Clay
Posted by Rick (Wayne) on 06/24/2014
I've tried all the things here on ec for insomnia. So far, the only thing that works is magnesium, which gives me diarrhea. I already have ibs-d--I don't need more diarrhea! I am already taking 6 immodium at a time!
Sodium Bentonite Clay
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 06/25/2014
Rick, read up on Transdermal Magnesium, which simply means absorbing magnesium through the skin via baths, spraying etc.
Also, for internal consumption of clay, I use A SMALL PINCH! No need for teaspoons or even half teaspoons internally.
Sodium Bentonite Clay
Posted by Gertie (Al) on 06/25/2014
I'm wondering something myself: I have ibs-d, migraines, insomnia, skin issues---could all this arise due to my bad bowels? If yes, then maybe the clay could be a solution. Not the sodium clay, but the calcium type (sodium acts more as a laxative, calcium appears to 'coat' the intestines which allows them to heal + it removes any infection/parasites + it swells w/ fluid to bulk up the stool). Seems like you would take the clay once per day and then, 12 hours later, take a good probiotic. This way the bad stuff would be removed and replaced with good stuff, the walls would heal and not be so irritated/inflamed. Since we hear that most problems start in the gut, would this help fix the gut....and then the rest follows?
Sodium Bentonite Clay
Posted by Rsw (Uniontown, Oh) on 06/25/2014
Gertie, Everyone is different and I have seen people have good success with the clay. However, I don't usually have much trouble with my intestines, but I bought Purified Premium Bentonite in filtered water to absorb toxins, and after ingesting 1 T., was incapacitated for an entire day with terrible stomach pains, even using the psyllium with it, as advised (which I threw away). I have read that others also had this reaction, so just be informed of the possibility. I now only use it externally, as with the recent poison ivy saga.
Sodium Bentonite Clay
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 06/26/2014
Rsw, ONE TABLESPOON CLAY !! No wonder you had digestive distress!! Yes, everyone IS different, but when trying a new thing, please do not shock your system! As I said: you can do a small PINCH!
Sodium Bentonite Clay
Posted by Gertie (Al) on 06/26/2014
I already had some colloidal sodium clay--I took a scant teaspooon at bedtime one night and was miserable! Stomach gurgled all night , overall aches, headache--wow. But, over the next week, my face cleared and my arthritis didn't bother me....So I wonder. I'll try it again, but on a night when I'm off the next day. I don't sleep as it is, sure don't want to not sleep and be in pain.
Skullcap
Posted by Timh (KY) on 06/15/2014 2042 posts
Skullcap is also strong anti-inflammatory & anti-oxidant, which may be contributable to the varied beneficial effects reported.
Skullcap
Posted by Casey (Montebello, Ca) on 06/15/2014
Pleae, Timh, be so kind as to tell us the part of scullcap that is effective for the desired effects. Is it the root, or the arial part (flowers and leaves)? Thank you in advance for the clarification. I think many of our readers are wondering about the same question. I have severe insomnia. Thank you again.
Skullcap
Posted by Timh (KY) on 06/17/2014 2042 posts
Casey: The arial parts seem to be the most beneficial.
Mudras
Posted by Bee (New York) on 03/24/2014
Hello, Oh; I just found this modality called Mudra.. I have been practicing it .. You use meditation and hand positions for curing disease or manifesting things.. Well I am not sure its working.. I tried it for sleep and didn't sleep.....anyone know how long it takes to work? I have been doing it on and off days and nights for a week now? Thank You
Mudras
Posted by Mikr62 (Denver) on 03/25/2014
Bee: Hops extract has many favorable reviews on amazon for sleep. Xanthohumol, a close cousin of resveratrol, is an aromatization inhibitor that prevents good hormones from becoming bad hormones, a possible cause of insomnia.
Mudras
Posted by Bee (New York) on 03/25/2014
Mike from Denver..thank you but I was also wondering if the Mudra has worked for anyone or has anyone tried it and has seen any difference in their health..
Mudras
Posted by Karen (New York, Ny) on 03/27/2014
Hi Bee, have you tried taking powdered magnesium in water before trying these exercises at night? I find a deep feeling of relaxation kicks in 20 minutes after drinking magnesium. That might help! The mudras practice looks interesting. Let us know how that goes.
Mudras
Posted by Bee (New York) on 03/27/2014
HI Karen,
I use the magnesium oil on my skin everyday.. Mostly rub it on at night..Do I need more oil or is the drink more effective..?? I am weaning off some awful medication thus the insomnia.. Check utube for Mudras... Thank You for the reply
Mudras
Posted by Karen (New York, Ny) on 03/27/2014
Hi Bee, I have also tried magnesium chloride oil and find that the powder works better on my brain and in relaxing me. If I don't take it at night, I don't sleep as well or feel as rested! I will check out the mudra videos on YouTube, thanks.
Ignatia Amara (Homeopathic Remedy)
Posted by Sean (Ca, Usa) on 10/18/2013
★★★★★
Hello, I've been taking Ignatia Amara when I wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep (racing thoughts and anxiety).... It seems to work but is it Ok to take it every night long term??? Thank you for your feedback!
Magnesium
Posted by Toourlady (Hayward, Ca) on 09/25/2013
There several forms of Magnesium. One of the most absorbable would be Mg Glycinate capsules, it does not have the laxative side effect.
Magnesium
Posted by Wendy (Westport, Ct) on 10/01/2013
Thanks Tourlady89, I will try Mag Glycinate. Would be nice not to experience side effects from Magnesium! I have also recently tried magnesium oil but waiting around for the oil to absorb into the skin for 20 minutes isn't much fun!
Magnesium
Posted by Tim (Chicago, Illinois) on 04/10/2014
Liquid forms of magnesium chloride or magnesium citrate are great, and there is also a pill form of Magnesium Glycinate that's also very effective. Magnesium definitely helps to cure insomnia, that's for sure! Best, too, if you take small doses throughout the day, not just at night when you want to go to sleep. Take it throughout the day so it can build up in your system. A lot of times people (and people in general) with insomnia are deficient in magnesium.
Selective Insomnia
Posted by Father's Daughter (Chicago ) on 08/31/2013
Please, share any ideas you might have.
My elderly dad stays by me over the weekends and sleeps well. During the week he stays at his home with a caregiver and cannot sleep at night. He wakes up, becomes panicky and rude, tries to get out of bed (unsafe for him due to balance problems, leg surgery, etc) This past week he basically lost on a whole week of sleep. What could be the reason in his room (he has lived there for many years) that it becomes such a huge problem? It has been happening with different caregivers. I replaces new roomdarkening blinds already.
Please, share any insight you may have.
Selective Insomnia
Posted by Timh (Ky, Usa) on 09/01/2013 2042 posts
This seems environmental. Two likely factors. One, evaluate the cleanliness of the indoor air. Consult a professional if possible. If nothing else, upgrade your air filter. Buy an indoor standing air purifier. Second, For people who are aging or ill, electric power lines can cause harm to health. Local lines are not as bad as those large regional lines that carry high voltage. There is info on the net and here on E.C. about electromagnetic radiation and health.
Sleep Disorder Remedies
Posted by Val (Texas) on 08/08/2013
I have had poor quality sleep for some time now. I wake up 2 to 3 times at night. I am constantly tired at work. I've started doing light exercise (walking) right after dinner and that seem to help some by making me tired enough to fall asleep-but I'm still waking up throughout the night. Sometimes I even wake up teary eyed, coughing and gagging so much that I have to get up and blow my nose or drink some water. I read something about dust mites but I've fallen asleep on my sofa a few times & it happened there also. I take ACV on a regular basis for health benefits but it has not helped my sleep. I am a 30 year old 125 pound female; so weight is not a problem & I have no other health issues. Anyone have any ideas?
Sleep Disorder Remedies
Posted by Timh (Louisville) on 08/10/2013 2042 posts
@Val: Looks like you are in need of general body detox and cleansing. Parasites and pathogens accumulate in the body over time until symptoms like you reported flare up. For starters, I would recommend oil of oregano (softgel caps) in the am and oil of garlic (softgel caps) in pm. Vit-C will help, take 500 mg w/ bioflavinoids at least 3 x daily. 250 mg Magnesium before retiring will help for sleeping.
If this doesn't help, do an herbal parasite cleanse as well as a candida cleanse (info here on E.C.).
Light Therapy
Posted by Trudy (Va) on 08/02/2013
Does anyone know if light therapy works? If so, what kind of thing are you looking for when shopping for a light box? I'm still searching for a solution to my chronic insomnia. I go to bed fairly early, but don't fall asleep. If I stay up later, I don't fall asleep. When I do sleep, I sleep in snatches of 15-20 minutes and wake up. I actually sleep better on the couch with the tv on--the show occupies my mind and stifles the chatter. After an hour or so of this, I can usually get up and go to bed. Even then, if I do go back to sleep, I'm only sleeping for short periods of time before waking. I leave the house for work at 6 a.m. , so I can't try going to bed at what most think of as bedtime. Also, I get up at 4 to feed the livestock (so I get early morning sun/light) and get ready for work, so what's early for you may be late for me.
Light Therapy
Posted by Steve (Nevada) on 08/02/2013
Not sure if light therapy would help with insomnia. I think a sleep formula might be more helpful.
Light Therapy
Posted by Innanalives (Middletown, Delaware) on 08/03/2013
Poppy oil capsules work very well for chronic insomnia. Dreams are life-like and you wake up feeling refreshed. Please be advised that blue lights from appliances can cause insomnia...
Light Therapy
Posted by Trudy (Va) on 08/04/2013
I have tried everything (sleep formula) that has been suggested on earth clinic. That's why I'm asking about the light therapy. I've tried sounds, herbs, finger-dcounting, pillow method, mag oil---the only thing I've seen so far that I haven't tried is what someone just suggested--poppy oil capsules. Never heard of that one. Will get some and try it. I need relief. The onlyh sleep I get is with ambien, and it's not restorative. Other than that when I take an imitrex and hydrocodone for chronic migraine. Thank everyone for the suggestions, I jsut wish I'd get something new to try as nothing has worked and ted has not responded. I think I have something very basic going on that has not been addressed, but can't think of what. I have never been a good sleeper and have always had ibs-D (over 50 years).
Light Therapy
Posted by Trudy (Va) on 08/05/2013
My question was 'does light therapy work'. Thank you for your reply, but I am not willing to go vegan. I have free range, pastured hens for eggs. I grow a garden. I buy a side of pastured, grass fed beef for my freezer. Yes, I'm sure I eat gmo food--it's near impossible not to, but I do my best to avoid it. My diet is very good--home-grown foods for the vast majority. Also, one cup of coffee in the morning then only water. I can't be outside b/c I work, so that's my question--do light boxed help with insomnia?
Light Therapy
Posted by Mt (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) on 08/05/2013
Due to IBS you may have a vitamin/ mineral imbalance. See this link for deficiencies in Vitamins B:
http://www.longevinst.org/nlt/newsletter19.htm. You should get a book describing the vitamins and minerals required by the body.
If you do not have enough sun exposure, you may be vitamin D deficient.
For IBS you should try to eat green bananas -the starch from these bananas can heal the intestines. Do you eat raw garlic/ onion? Do you avoid gluten? Do you drink spring water?
Read about calamus roots-it is a good way to heal the digestive system.
Light Therapy
Posted by Amy (Colorado) on 08/06/2013
Yes, light therapy can help but you have to be careful because there are all sorts of light therapy and some can be pretty startling. I would look for they light therapy that uses a moving bed along with gradually using all spectrums of light. Some light therapy abruptly flashes light and can be very startling and more harmful than good. There is a great place in Niwot, CO.
The other thing you may want to try is healthy probiotics. If you have taken antibiotics or eaten a bunch of meat with antibiotics, this can cause a lack of healthy enzymes in your stomach which can cause problems with sleep. It could have been a long time ago that you consumed the antibiotics, but if you never replaced them with healthy antibiotics, it can still be a huge problem You want to get the best possible probiotics you can, because if you only take mediocre ones, that will not help. I took 2 at least 20 minutes before I ate in the morning and 2 at least 20 minutes after I ate before I went to sleep and within 3 doses, I slept great. I finished a bottle of 90 and was fine for a while.
Mental Chatter Remedies
Posted by Trudy (Va) on 07/31/2013
I'm still struggling to get some restorative sleep. I have tried everything suggested at Earth Clinic and many others. One real problem for me is that my mind chatters constantly--I don't rehash daily events, but skip from topic to topic almost like I'm writing a story. Also, I have pretty bad neck pain that prevents me from sleeping. I take astaxanthin & serrapeptase for the pain. Also, I take coffea cruda for the mind chatter. Please help me. I emailed Ted over 2 months ago and have not heard back. Thanks.
Mental Chatter Remedies
Posted by Suzy (Eugene, Or) on 07/31/2013
I found to have a CD player set up to repeat helps! I have a Dr Wayne Dyer CD-- The I am Mediations... It is not really music but tuning forks.... So you can listen to it and not really get caught up "the lyric or the tune" I made my own CD mix with the second track on the CD repeated 3 times (as the trak is 20 minutes long). Then I play that with my CD set to repeat.
Mental Chatter Remedies
Posted by Trudy (Al) on 08/01/2013
I have several cds and other wav files with white noise, sleep sounds, binaural beats, etc. Nothing has worked yet. I am very good at picking out patterns, so I know where I am in the sequence and talk to myself about how long it will be before x occurs, etc. I am right this minute listening to Ted's cat purring while I'm at work. Can't hurt and if it helps the arthirits pain I'm all for it.
Valerian Root
Posted by Jennywren (Perth, Western Australia, Australia) on 06/01/2013
★★★★★
YAY. I'm not sure about Valerian Root, but I swallow one Valerian capsule (from the chemist) if I have trouble getting to sleep and it works great for me.
Magnesium
Posted by Carmela (Cambridge, Ma) on 05/20/2013
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I have an issue at night where if I wake up to go to the bathroom, I can't get back to sleep for exactly two hours, no matter what. Yes, 2 hours. I have timed it! I finally found something that works: Magnesium citrate. If I take a teaspoon at night, I can get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and get back to sleep almost immediately. The side effect of powdered magnesium is intense gas and stomach pain, which I have had on several occasions. However, the gas passes about 30 minutes after taking the magnesium. There is probably a "best" time to take magnesium, but I haven't figured it out yet. Sometimes I get stomach pain and sometimes I don't.
I tried Epsom salt foot bath a few nights ago (1 cup of ES in hot water and soaked my feet for an hour) and it relaxed me somewhat, but I didn't get the same deep state of relaxation the internal magnesium provides. I will next try magnesium chloride oil foot baths and report back. Hope this helps someone.
