Insomnia

[Chainsaw Kitten]

Well, I've been having extreme problems for two weeks with sleeping. I've been through a few rough patches and it seems to have set me off. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will help me sleep. Valium, meditation, tea, baths, every single technique for inspiring sleep... nothing will help. I faint regularly now that my body is not getting the rest it deserves, Anybody with similar problems? Any tips for how I can combat this horrible psychological disease?

[Megan]

..i do have the same problem...i toss and turn in bed until finally its time for me to get up for work..and wheni do sleep i dream like crazy.... ..i try drinking a warm glass of milk..or try just eating something heated up or just something that is of ur favourite...i know eating before u go to bed isn't always the best but it does work for me....

[Pelirrojo]

Well I've never really had insomnia, but I do have trouble falling asleep sometimes. Here are some things that may or may not work for you but have worked to some degree for me: First of all, as with everything, I'm sure expectations have something to do with it. If you expect that you won't be able to fall asleep, it will probably be harder for you to fall asleep. I look at the night as my time to relax - not necessarily sleep. I try not to focus so much on sleeping but more on just relaxing and chilling out in my bed If you don't put pressure on yourself (oh man, I only have 6 mroe hours left before I have to get up for work, grrrr! etc) to fall asleep, it will probably be easier. Get a fan or something. The constant white noise is very soothing - almost hypnotic after you listen to it for a while - and helps to fall asleep (for me at least). This is not really a good thing to do to help you fall asleep as it would be easy to become dependant on it this way, but I find that smoking pot makes me fall asleep faster than anything. However, I tend not to dream much after smoking. Are you getting enough exercise? Getting some good exercise will help tire you out more at night physically - when your muscles are tired it feels different than when it's just a "lack of sleep" kind of tired. I hope some of those tips help a little... Good luck conquering your insomnia! - Pete

[Chainsaw Kitten]

Thanks for all of your suggestions guys. My eating and excercising habits are not the source, I work out at least an hour a day. All of these relaxing methods are things that sadly, I've already tried. Pot helps but it's not something I do more than a once or twice a month due to the fact that I want my lungs intact. I've been taking valium but nothing under around 6 mg will soothe me enough to sleep. (6 mg is a LOT) I'll try having a snack before bed, thanks for that suggestion. As far as a soothing sound, I actually do leave a fan on; my computer fan. XD

[wombing]

well, i understand why you don't want to smoke cannabis, but if you ever find yourself desparate for a good night's sleep, you might want to try using it orally. it could be a little expensive depending, but it should work close to 100% of the time. if you choose to try this, grind 3 or 4 grams up as fine as possible and stir it into hot melted butter until the butter turns green. then simply make a few cookies, muffins, or just spread it over toast. *shrugs* i used to have insomnia, and cannabis was usually the only thing that worked consistently.

[Pelirrojo]

"grind 3 or 4 grams up" =X that's damn expensive hehe. Maybe my method of not really focusing on trying to sleep isn't working because you're thinking of it as a "relaxing method". You should just be like alright, imma just chill in my bed for a while now and think about stuff. I don't know though, I've never had insomnia. Good luck anyways =/ - Pete

[Pelirrojo]

Here here!

[Chainsaw Kitten]

I have to say I'm a strictly no-alcohol person. Although I do take other drugs, I don't enjoy the effects nor really much of the taste of alcohol. So that'd be a no-no. Also if it irradicates my dreaming that isn't any fun.

[Pelirrojo]

it kills your dreaming the night you drink, but the night after you get REM rebound which makes up for it! I even feel like I have a better chance to have LD's when I'm on a REM rebound.

[Unicorn]

Originally posted by Chainsaw Kitten Anybody with similar problems? Any tips for how I can combat this horrible psychological disease? Here are some tips: [b]Body Do some exercice: A tired body will easily fall asleep. If you live in a safe neighbourhood, run for a while. I'd also suggest to take a cold shower that would ultimatly leave you begging for your warm bed. The point is, you need to release the tension in your body. Do some meditation: Concentrate on your breathing, etc. Tell yourself: I will not fall asleep, and repeat it as often as you can. Try to force yourself not to sleep, in that case, you might find yourself sleeping really soon... Funny how the mind always give up when there's resistance. Do not eat a heavy meal, Eat something light, and needless to say, no caffeine, chocolate or energy bar. [b]Mind If the above still doesn't help you, your problem is most probably psychological. I suggest you straighten things out Something's probably bothering you. I suggest you contemplate thoroughly your toughts, and spot what's really bothering you. Get up and write down whatever goes in your mind. You could also call some friends, and talk to them. The most important thing, don't force yourself to sleep. There's nothing worse than staying in bed for a couple of hours! In that case, DO something! Read a book, watch TV or put on some music and dance like crazy. Hope that helps.

[skyler]

This link may provide a bit of insight. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030423/health.htm Avoid using to help you sleep. In studies I have read there are certain vital stages of your sleep that can be affected by using aids, and the entire function of sleep is often evaded from drinking things such as tea and alchohol. I smoked marijuana for quite some time, it does allow you to sleep, but for 1-2 complete sleep cycles it affects the amount or quality of physical and psychological rest that we attain. These things can lead to stress which is in turn a cause of insomia. I am an insomniac as well.. as I am making this post at 4 am. As a recovering user of a wide array of demoralized goods, and prescription goods I suggest not using them. I do not say they are bad or taboo blata yata. Just that our bodies usually will work things out, and our heads in turn, or visa versa.

[theyearthreethousand]

I hope things are improving for you. I am always having different problems with sleeping. Any time that I know I need to have a good nights sleep. i.e. for college the next day, or I have something important to wake up for in the morning -- I will always worry about not having enough sleep.. and panic when I'm lying in bed and the hours are passing and I'm still not a sleep. I stress myself out about it, when really I just should be relaxing. I know the pain and frustration you can go through.. I got some advice from my mother who just told me to atleast relax my eyes, it would do me the world of good - so atleast I am relaxing my body.. if not my mind. Does that make sense? In the past I have gone into college on many occasions without any sleep at all. It's worrying for me, because I'm as not as aware as I normally would be.. I'm real clumsy as it is; and when I haven't had any sleep the night before I expect I'd do something stupid and end up injuring myself: e.g. getting knocked over by a car or slicing my hand in college with my scalpel (I study graphic design). Then again, when I have time off - some days I actually don't allow myself to have any sleep.. because I think that life & time is to precious to waste sleeping - so I would stay awake as long as I could reading comics or drawing. Doing something enjoyable and educational. I wouldn't sleep for days, but in the end it wasn't good for my body, and I wasn't a very nice person to be around. Plus, sometimes things would back-fire, and I'd end up wasting the normal day-time hours half dead in my bed.. snoozing. But now, I'm getting more and more into lucid dreaming.. Which is a reason to sleep more regularly. I'm confusing, I know.

[Leo Volont]

Well, I've been having extreme problems for two weeks with sleeping. I've been through a few rough patches and it seems to have set me off. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will help me sleep. Valium, meditation, tea, baths, every single technique for inspiring sleep... nothing will help. I faint regularly now that my body is not getting the rest it deserves, Anybody with similar problems? Any tips for how I can combat this horrible psychological disease? [/b] Wow, that's serious. Do you have the wherewithal to take a vacation. It is critical. Ask your parents if they can afford to let you go off to the Mountains or to the Shore. A change of scenery is like turning a new chapter on your life. When you are 'away' from it, you will be able to sleep. This may seem simplistic, but it is a good example, but when one of my cats is having some episode of jealousy or territoriality, I gingerly pick them up and place them down across the room, and guess what, with the change of location, there is a change of mind. You need a vacation. REALLY. It should be Doctor's Orders.