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.
Acidophilus
Posted by Yasir (Stockton, CA) on 09/16/2007
★★★★★
I found acidophilus to be very helpful with insomnia.
Cold Showers
Posted by Leon (Wichita, Ks) on 08/11/2007
★★★★★
I like taking cold showers at night. It helps to sleep and I feel confident getting up in the morning. I encourage everybody to take a cold shower at night. It really helps with insomnia.
Magnesium Citrate
Posted by Jann (Ocean, NJ) on 07/08/2007
★★★★★
A natural pharmacist once told me that everyone over the age of 50 shoud be taking 500mg. of magnesium CITRATE (3 capsules)before bedtime,& "they will sleep like a baby"! So my husband & I both tried it & we get 8 hrs. sleep each night! It took a few days to kick in, so dont give up.After a few months, I cut back to 320 mg (2 capsules) & it still works. Its been over a year already! I just love, love, love, your website! Thank you!!!!!!
Amino Acids
Posted by James Wallace (Seattle , Washington) on 05/19/2007
★★★★★
Recently I wanted to increase my body's growth hormone production to repair stressed muscles. I read in a book on physiology that people who don't sleep well do no release enough growth hormone in the first few hours of sleep to repair the stress of muscles caused during the day. The book pointed to studies of taking the amino acids L-Arginine and L-Glutamine an hour or less before going to bed.
So I bought the two amino acids (500 mg strength each) and took one of each. I got the muscle repair I wanted. But something else happened - I SLEPT THE WHOLE NIGHT THROUGH! And I have been sleeping soundly since.
I think this works like a two way street. Insomniacs don't release enough growth hormone: Increased growth hormone release causes sounder sleep.
Also you don't have to take Arginine and glutamine every night. Just 3 to 4 nights a week (I know this because I sometimes forget to take the capsules). So it works in a Ted kind of minimalist sort of way. I appreciate that Ted from Thailand is a minimalist in supplement taking. It's refreshing advice.
Amino Acids
Posted by Canadian Dave (Canada) on 11/26/2016 15 posts
People may have to avoid arginine if they have cold sores or herpes. Glutamine can also be a problem in high doses in people who are gluten intolerant.
Sleep Pointing North in Absolute Darkness
Posted by Ricardo (CA) on 02/07/2006
★★★★★
Total darkness allows the iris of the eye to completely relax. Eyes are the only place your nervous system is exposed to the world directly. If you are resting in a partially darkened room, cup your palms over your eyes for a while until it seems totally black. Remove your palms and keep your eyes closed. You will perceive some light or lessening of the black through your eyelids. Closing your eyes to sleep, in any illumination, does not allow complete relaxation. Always use a sleep mask or soft cap pulled over your eyes, doubled if needed, and test with palms over mask to be absolutely sure of total darkness.
Sleep Pointing North in Absolute Darkness
Posted by Brad (Wisconsin) on 08/01/2005
★★★★★
Sleeping with your head pointing North can improve the quality of your sleep. Also sleeping in absolute total darkness(no alarm clock lights, no light from the door jam) can have a huge impact on your over all health. It will allow more melatonin release by your body and for a longer period of time during the night, which is vital to living longer and healthier. This kind of sleep quality lifts your levels of attention, energy and motivation, awareness and helps keeping aging down to a minimum.
Ear Plugs
Posted by Diane (Magnolia Springs, AL)
★★★★★
20 years ago I had moved from the country to the city in a townhouse. I began waking all hours of the night I tried everything and nothing seem to work. I visited my doctor and thank goodness he did not believe in medications instead he tested my hearing. Well, I have exceptional hearing and all the busy city noises were waking me so he suggested ear plugs and I have been wearing them for 20 years. I change them often and clean my ears with peroxide. Many people ask aren't you afraid someone will break in and I tell them that I can still hear very well with them, it just blocks out the high pitch noices of A/C and cars, etc
Vitamin A
Posted by yearningtobreathefree (Tennessee) on 07/02/2026
To clarify: Vitamin A deficiency leads to being unable to sleep enough hours, while if this is your issue, getting sufficient vitamin A corrects this problem.
Avoid Sugar
Posted by brad (Ontario) on 11/09/2023
★★★★★
Consuming any types of sugar will greatly impact your quality of sleep, regardless if its organic cane sugar or processed sugar. If you crave sweets try keto snacks like (stevia/malitol/xylitol, etc.) sweetened chocolate or make your own. Honey and pure maple syrup are considered sugars, as well, keep it to a minimum.
Papaya
Posted by Clatterbuck (Beltsville, Md) on 03/22/2023
★★★★★
You're right!!! Quite by accident, I discovered papaya helps me get back to sleep when I wake up in the middle of the night. My grocery store had a sale on papayas and I decided to buy a couple. I had first tasted papaya when I went to Vietnam a few years ago and I liked them. I ate a small papaya before going to bed and slept through the night. That was incredible. I didn't have a papaya the next night and when I woke up in the middle of the night I had trouble getting back to sleep like I usually do. The next night I had a papaya before bed and once again slept through the night. These things are like a magic sleeping potion.
St Johns Wort
Posted by Brad (Ontario) on 12/08/2022
★★★★★
St Johns Wort is good for anxiety and depression, also a calmative. I found it helps with restless sleep when taken on an empty stomach. However be cautious when taking it because, similar to grapefruit, it will interact with other medications and supplements.
Cannabis Tea
Posted by Brad (Ontario) on 11/26/2022
★★★★★
Cannabis tea seems to work for getting back to sleep. I heard indica strain is better for relaxing than sativa. Put like 1/2 grams of dried herb into 8oz boiling water let steep and cover to infuse for as long as you can. Keep in mind this can have side effects such as racing thoughts, anxiety, dry mouth and increased heart rate, keep this in mind as everybody is different, so use caution if you're on any medications.
Liver and Kidney Detoxing
Posted by Faith (Unalaska) on 03/30/2022
★★★★★
For Insomnia and waking up at 2-3AM in the morning thats the liver and kidneys trying to detox.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Art (California) on 03/16/2022 2891 posts
D3, B3, B12 and B Complex
Posted by Ivanka (Nevada) on 07/12/2021
★★★★★
The supplements that I had the most success with for my severe insomnia were:
- Vitamin D3 5000IU every night for a couple of weeks and then one every other night.
- Vitamin B3 (niacin) 500mg every night plus
- B12 5000mcg
- and B complex in liquid form.
I hope this helps you too.
Vitamins D and B Complex
Posted by GertJr (Madison) on 03/30/2021
★★★★★
I have a question about vitamin D. I was reading 'Right Sleep' and the doc there says get B12 and Vit D blood tests. It's a pricy program, so I just did the blood test. My b12 was great, right in the middle of the range. My D3 was also right in the middle of the range, but my D2 was at the bottom, not even reading an exact number, simply <4. Does this matter at all? I've always read that D3 is what you want, but I'm thinking everything matters and should be in a good range. Should I do anything? and, if so, what?
I must say, since I started supplementing with D and B complex, I've been sleeping much better. How do I get all my numbers in the good range?
Calcium
Posted by Azuka (Michigan) on 08/29/2020
I never would have thought of taking a calcium supplement to assist with sleep. I have never taken calcium supplements. I also never have trouble falling asleep.
Also, I never get more than 5 or 6 hours of sleep. Can't seem to force myself to sleep more than that at a time. Perhaps some folks don't need as much as others. And some need more. I think the 7 - 8 hours a night thing is an average, and most people fit in with the average, and a few don't.
Melatonin
Posted by Florie (Hayward, Ca) on 08/02/2020
★★★★★
Hi Art, I've been following all your post regarding melatonin's effectiveness as far as anti-aging and sleep issues, which works best for my insomnia, glycine before bed melatonin 5mg. Is it safe to take it long term?
Also I've read, can't remember where, but there's a warning, do not take melatonin with b6 is detrimental to your health! Scared what may happen? Taking the brand that was recommended here in earth clinic. Your opinion what I value most. Thanks for your contributions to this site.
Melatonin
Posted by Missm (Ny) on 08/01/2020
There are different forms of magnesium to take. Look up and try this form of it: Magnesium glycinate
Most magnesium supplements that you will find at drugstore are with the oxide form because it's cheap.
Are you able to find a pool? Water is an excellent therapy, it de-stresses and soothes.
Melatonin
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Us) on 08/03/2020
Gertjr, I see you are a beautiful soul, applying knowledge and energy to your life. I read a lot trying to find solutions to my questions three and I'm a weirdo . I use to resent my weird but now it is what makes me me. I read Dr.Batmanghelidj when I ruptured L-5 and spend a lot of time in the tub praying . In his books he talks about how healthy exercise can create more cortisol issues and affect digestion further. I realize you are going through a lot and my heart is with you in prayer most days. Faith and love surround you. My gut health was a mess since birth . Dr. Eric Berg, free information on you tube, has really shed light on my gut health. I don't do the fasting or keto stuff. I have to take ox bile most days to eat food. I use the mag threonate in the now brand most days too for my brain. Mag does not bother me at all but I got c diff once from a dental treatment and had a horrible time trying to get my life back from that. I know what these things are like to walk out day in day out. I only pipe in here as led. I have my own dragons to slay and frequent Mark Hemans on zoom for miracles. I am still learning how to be who I was created to be. A spirit being in a body full of all the power to override any natural facts with spiritual truths. I still use a lot of supplements but hope to enter the day when the truth that I know overrides all facts. Bless you Gertjr as you journey, you sound like an amazing woman. Charity
Melatonin
Posted by Art (California) on 06/24/2020 2891 posts
Hi, Deirdre,
I'm very happy that melatonin is useful for improving your sleep! The addition of Mag-T is also additive at helping you to get to sleep and sleeping well. Mag-T, like magnesium taurate are both noted for targeting the brain. Another form of magnesium that is quite helpful for sleep is magnesium glycinate and I always find that adding the magnesium to the melatonin is very helpful for getting the best quality of rest!
Thank you for the feedback as it is helpful in confirming what is useful and what is not useful for everyone on EC!
Art
