6g valerian root, 6mg melatonin, 200mg 5-HTP, 1xZMA and I still can't sleep

[G T]

As long as I can remember I've always been terrible at sleeping. I take at least 2 hours to fall asleep regardless of how tired I am. I'm constantly twitching, itching, moving around, and thinking about things.

Fed up after having tried these supplements individually to no avail previously, one hour before bed last night I took 6g valerian root, 6mg of melatonin, 200mg of 5-HTP and one dose of ZMA on an empty stomach. These are all beyond reccommended doses (except ZMA), but it was as if I'd never taken any of it. With all these supplements, I noticed absolutely no difference whatsoever to not taking anything at all. I still took around 2 hours to fall asleep, and woke up in the middle of the night and took about an hour to get back to sleep.

I'm starting to get desperate, because I can never seem to get any more than 6 hours of sleep. I get plenty of sunlight and physical activity during the day, however I just can't sleep properly.

I was thinking of trying GABA now, since it's one of the few things I haven't tried, unless anyone has any other ideas.

Does anybody else have severe "onset" insomnia?

[Serpens Aeon]

This is not something to cure with supplements. This is something you need to approach a professional with (a psychiatrist is a good start), where you can be treated with both behavioral and pharmaceutical therapy, simultaneously. I speak from experience as a seasoned insomniac of your sort.

[ironhead184]

Originally Posted by Serpens Aeon

This is not something to cure with supplements. This is something you need to approach a professional with (a psychiatrist is a good start), where you can be treated with both behavioral and pharmaceutical therapy, simultaneously. I speak from experience as a seasoned insomniac of your sort.

Very true, anyways I don't think it's a good idea to mess with your neurotransmitter levels by taking such supplements and so much of them. You definitely should go see a doctor/psychiatrist

[G T]

Originally Posted by Serpens Aeon

This is not something to cure with supplements. This is something you need to approach a professional with (a psychiatrist is a good start), where you can be treated with both behavioral and pharmaceutical therapy, simultaneously. I speak from experience as a seasoned insomniac of your sort.

I've never seen anyone beyond a doctor for sleep problems, and I'm skeptical as to how effective behavioral therapy could be for me, but I'm open to whatever works.

When you say pharmaceutical therapy, if you are referring to sleeping pills, I'd rather not use them for chronic insomnia, since I'm looking for a long term solution.

What were your experiences specifically, and what sort of therapy did you find effective?

[Serpens Aeon]

Originally Posted by G T

I've never seen anyone beyond a doctor for sleep problems, and I'm skeptical as to how effective behavioral therapy could be for me, but I'm open to whatever works.

When you say pharmaceutical therapy, if you are referring to sleeping pills, I'd rather not use them for chronic insomnia, since I'm looking for a long term solution.

What were your experiences specifically, and what sort of therapy did you find effective?

1) You're skeptical, and that's fine, but clearly, you've tried a lot to no avail yourself, no? I've learned to meditate, and it works wonders. And just so you know, it isn't hooey-bs. There are a number of studies confirming meditation as manipulative of neuralplasticity and various other brain functions in positive ways. Perhaps I'm coming off as too aggressive with this last part, but it's just that when I say it, I'm dismissed as being silly, often.

2) Pharmaceuticals are there for when you've got it really bad and need to sleep. There are number nonbenzodiazepene hypnotic compounds that are very effective and are much safer than traditional drugs (Zaleplon, Zolpidem, Zopiclone, et cetera).

[FlyingV]

You and your doctor ever checked out your thyroid function?

I would think hyperthyroidism would be one thing to rule in/rule out definitively; you've tried most of the big guns for sleep and they haven't worked - and that's characteristic of hyperthyroid-related insomnia; you can throw everything in the world at it and nothing helps. Doctors will use drugs, localized radiation or surgery to treat it. Supps can't do much for this if that's what it is.

[jerry.]

Originally Posted by G T

As long as I can remember I've always been terrible at sleeping. I take at least 2 hours to fall asleep regardless of how tired I am. I'm constantly twitching, itching, moving around, and thinking about things.

Fed up after having tried these supplements individually to no avail previously, one hour before bed last night I took 6g valerian root, 6mg of melatonin, 200mg of 5-HTP and one dose of ZMA on an empty stomach. These are all beyond reccommended doses (except ZMA), but it was as if I'd never taken any of it. With all these supplements, I noticed absolutely no difference whatsoever to not taking anything at all. I still took around 2 hours to fall asleep, and woke up in the middle of the night and took about an hour to get back to sleep.

I'm starting to get desperate, because I can never seem to get any more than 6 hours of sleep. I get plenty of sunlight and physical activity during the day, however I just can't sleep properly.

I was thinking of trying GABA now, since it's one of the few things I haven't tried, unless anyone has any other ideas.

Does anybody else have severe "onset" insomnia?

Hey man. I feel for you, I have had trouble sleeping since i was 10. Lately it has been alot better because I have learned techniques to deal with it. I saw a therapist when I was younger but I don't think it helped me too much. Basically what I try to do is not think of sleep as a big deal. If you don't think about it then you should be able to fall asleep easier. Easier said then done I know, but it takes a while to get it in yourhead. Say to yourself, I don't even care if I don't fall asleep. Supplements are not the answer. That probly makes things worse because you are continuously thinking about what supps to buy for sleeping better. Also, do the same thing every night night before you go to bed. For me it's going on the computer and bb.com.

When it was bad for me I would also try and set routines for myself. Try and go to bed and wake up at the same times. Have the same meal before bed all the time. Eventually you will see changes. Try not to think about it to much.

[alphaproject]

Xanax works. Just don't get addicted to it.

If I really have problems getting to sleep 75% of the time taking a little bit with sleeping pills does the trick. I sleep better when I'm forced to get up early, like for work and stuff. If I don't work, I'm all up night and usually wake up about noon.

[quigs]

Originally Posted by G T

As long as I can remember I've always been terrible at sleeping. I take at least 2 hours to fall asleep regardless of how tired I am. I'm constantly twitching, itching, moving around, and thinking about things.

Fed up after having tried these supplements individually to no avail previously, one hour before bed last night I took 6g valerian root, 6mg of melatonin, 200mg of 5-HTP and one dose of ZMA on an empty stomach. These are all beyond reccommended doses (except ZMA), but it was as if I'd never taken any of it. With all these supplements, I noticed absolutely no difference whatsoever to not taking anything at all. I still took around 2 hours to fall asleep, and woke up in the middle of the night and took about an hour to get back to sleep.

I'm starting to get desperate, because I can never seem to get any more than 6 hours of sleep. I get plenty of sunlight and physical activity during the day, however I just can't sleep properly.

I was thinking of trying GABA now, since it's one of the few things I haven't tried, unless anyone has any other ideas.

Does anybody else have severe "onset" insomnia?

Have you tried any OTC sleep aids? I've found Doxylamine Succinate @ 25mg to be very effective to use on occasion. Its the same active ingredient found in Nyquil and tylenol PM.

This may be a very good temporary solution, but like the others said...you really need to go see a doctor.

[391rippy]

i'd go see a sleep doctor. my dad went to one and it helped tremendously

[ironhead184]

Originally Posted by G T

I've never seen anyone beyond a doctor for sleep problems, and I'm skeptical as to how effective behavioral therapy could be for me, but I'm open to whatever works.

When you say pharmaceutical therapy, if you are referring to sleeping pills, I'd rather not use them for chronic insomnia, since I'm looking for a long term solution.

What were your experiences specifically, and what sort of therapy did you find effective?

Don't listen to this. Sleep disorders have been linked to OCD and depression. It's a good idea to see a doctor/psychiatrist.

[Dr. Pepper]

12g valerian root, 12mg melatonin, 400mg 5-htp, 2xZMA - FTW

[smh31]

i know what your saying, here is what I use for sleep:

SNS phenibut-XT : 2 pills 3-4 hours before sleep
**** lean Dreams: 2 pills 1 hour before sleep

NOT STACKED but it could get intresting

lean dreams will knock you out
phenibut XT will calm you down ALOT and put you into dreamland to

[youi09]

One thing that has worked for years for me and will always work for sleep is Marijuana.

[blackdream71]

Originally Posted by youi09

One thing that has worked for years for me and will always work for sleep is Marijuana.

nothing like smokin a "fatty" before bedtime!

[smh31]

Originally Posted by blackdream71

nothing like smokin a "fatty" before bedtime!

lol the ingredient in Lean Dreams is similar to THC for the sleep effects

[DRP7]

1. leave out ZMA (aspartic acid is excitatory)
2. eat some carbs before bed (e.g. a glass of milk with honey)
3. check your supps: if one of them has stims in it, léave it out
4. check your blood pressure: often, tall, thin people has low bp. too low bp will not let you fall asleep
5. try to go every evening at exactely the same time to bed
6. when you go to bed, read a boring, but cognitively demanding book. don't sit in front of a PC or TV. the flickering light is a sleep-killer.

have a good nite!

david

[bongd]

Good recommendations from Dr. P. As usual.

While I love marijuana, I wouldn't recommend that for sleep either... save it for a relaxing evening as opposed to sleep aid. And don't rely on drugs for sleep. Get a sleep routine because it's a million times better than using a drug to correct matters.