Cigaretttes / Sleeping problems

[Nick89]

So I'm another person with serious sleeping problems. Usually I lie awake for an hour or two, sometimes I can't fall asleep until 4 or so... I've always had problems with this, but I think now it has reached it's peak. Last Tuesday's night - no sleep at all, the next night - 11 hours of sleep (organism naturally compensates for the previous night), Thursday's night - no sleep again, and Friday's - about 7 or 8. Think I'll go mad if it continues like this... I suppose I'm developing some kind of neurosis because of this. Two or three months ago I visited a psychologist twice, but then resigned as it seemed to me it didn't help me much. I took sleeping pills within the last year - zolpidem, for period of a week or two, and then after some time once again for about a week or so. Even if they work in a short period of time, they don't cure 'permanent' problems with sleeping which I've got, it seems. Thinks like visualisations, affirmations and so on don't work for me usually. A positive thing is that even when I didn't get any sleep (on these two recent nights) during the day I still was able to somehow be in a good mood. It's kind of thinking: maybe I've got big problems, but I'm alive still, and I'm fighting with it and I know I'll deal with it finally. So this a bit consoles me and I don't let negative thoughts inside. One more thing: we're on LD forum. I want to have LD some day, and how's that gonna happen when I've got severe sleeping problems, now there's even not much sense thinking about dream recall, when there's not enough or no sleep at all... (still I manage to keep my DJ and when I sleep enough I remember something). As for cigarettes: for the last 2 months I've been smoking between 0-4 a day, and don't do it addictevile and don't want to, use it rahter as a short-time relaxation, so to say. But I'm so desperate, that I've even tried out cigarettes as a sleeping pill, cos I read soewhere that when you take deep, long puffs (the opposite of the way in which most smokers do it) it causes increase in the acetylocholine level in our brain, so has a relaxing effect (which axtually is true). But somehow that doesn't help much, either. I've also read it many times on this forum that cannabis is really good, I don't have access to it, though... Actually, this post is a crying for help. 'll appreciate any positive, optimistic response, just simply consolation, not necessarily any tips or hints on how to fight sleeping problems. And what do you think: am I going to get addicted to cigarettes or can I continue like that (as I say, I am not smoking more and more a day, usually 2 and it's constant). Sorry for a leeeeeeengthy post, big thanks to anyone who read it and replies.

[spaceexplorer]

So I'm another person with serious sleeping problems. Usually I lie awake for an hour or two, sometimes I can't fall asleep until 4 or so... I've always had problems with this, but I think now it has reached it's peak. Last Tuesday's night - no sleep at all, the next night - 11 hours of sleep (organism naturally compensates for the previous night), Thursday's night - no sleep again, and Friday's - about 7 or 8. Think I'll go mad if it continues like this... I suppose I'm developing some kind of neurosis because of this. Two or three months ago I visited a psychologist twice, but then resigned as it seemed to me it didn't help me much. I took sleeping pills within the last year - zolpidem, for period of a week or two, and then after some time once again for about a week or so. Even if they work in a short period of time, they don't cure 'permanent' problems with sleeping which I've got, it seems. Thinks like visualisations, affirmations and so on don't work for me usually. A positive thing is that even when I didn't get any sleep (on these two recent nights) during the day I still was able to somehow be in a good mood. It's kind of thinking: maybe I've got big problems, but I'm alive still, and I'm fighting with it and I know I'll deal with it finally. So this a bit consoles me and I don't let negative thoughts inside. One more thing: we're on LD forum. I want to have LD some day, and how's that gonna happen when I've got severe sleeping problems, now there's even not much sense thinking about dream recall, when there's not enough or no sleep at all... (still I manage to keep my DJ and when I sleep enough I remember something). As for cigarettes: for the last 2 months I've been smoking between 0-4 a day, and don't do it addictevile and don't want to, use it rahter as a short-time relaxation, so to say. But I'm so desperate, that I've even tried out cigarettes as a sleeping pill, cos I read soewhere that when you take deep, long puffs (the opposite of the way in which most smokers do it) it causes increase in the acetylocholine level in our brain, so has a relaxing effect (which axtually is true). But somehow that doesn't help much, either. I've also read it many times on this forum that cannabis is really good, I don't have access to it, though... Actually, this post is a crying for help. 'll appreciate any positive, optimistic response, just simply consolation, not necessarily any tips or hints on how to fight sleeping problems. And what do you think: am I going to get addicted to cigarettes or can I continue like that (as I say, I am not smoking more and more a day, usually 2 and it's constant). Sorry for a leeeeeeengthy post, big thanks to anyone who read it and replies. Nicotine is a stimulant and will work to keep you awake rather than help you sleep. If you've heard otherwise you are misinformed. You will get addicted if you continue the way you are (you probably already are mildly addicted) - I have smoked for over 10 years (given up this year) so trust me i started the same way you did, and also thought it was just to "relax" me. Truth is Nicotine addiction creates stress in your body, and the cigarette temporarily relives the stress, but it is the cigarette that is causing the stress. Smoking is like wearing tight shoes to get the relief of taking them off. It's an illusion of relaxation. Smoking will aslo seriously effect your chances of Lucid Dreaming. You will desensitize your nicotinic receptors, these are the same receptors that your mind requires for lucidity. (and also why galantamine works!) There are some simple methods to help you sleep better: 1. Completely stop smoking. 2. Stop any caffeen intake. 3. Increase your physical exercise by 30 minutes each day (go for a run or something) 4. Drink wam milk (body temprature) and honey before bed (this will get converted to melatonin which will make you fall asleep... this is one of the reasons why babies sleep a lot... because of brest milk) 5. Also try camomile tea (not sure of the spelling) Simple steps but they may help. But smoking has to stop, its part of the problem not the cure!

[spaceexplorer]

One other thing. Seriously don't fall into the smoking trap i fell into, it's so horrible and hard to get out of once you are init. I notice you are a guy. Did you know that smoking effects your circulation. If you continue to smoke it will effect your sex life (what needs blood the most?) And you'll get a build up of plaque in your arteries, that will also make your blood flow even lower. In short, Smoke, and you're heading towards erectile disfunction, and being lame in the bedroom. I've not smoked for a year now, and the difference in my health is amazing. Dont risk it! Oh another good way to help fall asleep... do somethign sexual, either alone or with someone. As a guy it'll release all the chemicals your brain needs to sleep. Embarassing to say on a forum, but true nonetheless

[Nick89]

As for cigarettes... I think it's even not pleasant enough to be worthy of destroying one's health. You know, I've got a specific approach to such substances, which you may call stupid, but actually I'm still only 19, so one is sometimes allowed to do stupid things at that age. It is like: OK, maybe it is unhealthy, but than at least makes me feel really good for a while. And with cigarettes it isn't just like that - it's slightly relaxing, for 5-10 minutes, and tha's all... No point in sacrificing one's health for this... And yet when you give all the points concerning bad effects on my health, you convince me even more. So I suppose I'll finish it completely. If we talk about health problems, I've already tried milk, even melatonin, doesn't help much, 'doing sexual thing' doesn't help much, either, which is strange (sometimes it helps, but most often not), honey etc.... they're simply too mild... I'm not sure if I want to start to take drugs for sleep (I mean sleeping pills), though...

[spaceexplorer]

Good idea, Drop the smoking! As for sleeping, have you tried 5-HTP? You can buy it in health shops. Hypnosis is also a good route to take.

[Nick89]

OK, after I had written yesterday that I was dropping cigarettes, today I smoked three, but then I thought to myself: no more, and threw the pocket still in 3/4 full to the bin in the street. So I guess I'm doing well. HTP, well, I'll try it, unfortunately I have to order it thorugh the net becuase it's not available in drug stores in Poland. Thanks for this advice, haven't hear of this 5-HTP before. What do you mean by hypnosis? Self-hypnosis? How to do that?

[lucidisfree:)]

Good idea, Drop the smoking! As for sleeping, have you tried 5-HTP? You can buy it in health shops. Hypnosis is also a good route to take. ive heard 5-htp are also very good for helping with lucid dreaming ??

[Nikola]

Stop with the cigarettes and give progressive muscle relaxation a try. There is absoloutley nothing beneficial about smoking. The type of relaxation you get from smoking cigarettes is not relaxing it's just making you sick a little bit. Like feeling sick and wanting to sleep. Progressive muscle relaxation works.