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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by LaoTzu on September 10, 2015, at 12:26:55
I read an article online somewhere. Says you can try the following for better sleep without drugs:
small dose of melatonin, maybe 0.5mg to 1mg
500mg calcium citrate
50mg 5HTP for serotoninThere is also another magnesium supplement I've heard has good reviews. It's called Natural Calm.
500mg-750mg of GABA might help some people.
Posted by Christ_empowered on September 11, 2015, at 11:15:28
In reply to Sleep alternatives, posted by LaoTzu on September 10, 2015, at 12:26:55
That's interesting+helpful, Lao. 5htp *is* sedating, isn't it? I tried taking 400mgs/day in the form of 2 tabs, 200mgs each, both time release. Man oh man...I slept for 10+/- hours each night. It was intense. The 50mgs dose is probably better for most people.
Posted by linkadge on September 15, 2015, at 19:10:25
In reply to Re: Sleep alternatives, posted by Christ_empowered on September 11, 2015, at 11:15:28
I would not take 5-htp and melatonin at the same time.
Believe it or not, they oppose each other, biochemically. 5-htp can increase melatonin production, but typically if administered in the mid day.
Normal rhythms involve high serotonin mid day (low melatonin) and high melatonin at night (low serotonin).
This is why antiserotonergics promote sleep and increase melatonin levels.
Linkadge
Posted by LaoTzu on October 7, 2015, at 12:43:52
In reply to Re: Sleep alternatives, posted by linkadge on September 15, 2015, at 19:10:25
Okay, I didn't know that about the two opposing each other (5htp and melatonin). Thank you.
Posted by LaoTzu on October 7, 2015, at 12:54:23
In reply to Sleep alternatives, posted by LaoTzu on September 10, 2015, at 12:26:55
I had good results with magnesium glycinate years ago for sleep. I recommended it to my sister who has insomnia. I will post whether or not she is benefitting in the next few weeks. It may take some time to see how effective it is long term because some people have said magnesium didn't work out for them, but I suspect it is due to dosages they were taking or they actually needed something more in their bedtime regimen.
Posted by LaoTzu on October 7, 2015, at 13:24:59
In reply to Re: Sleep alternatives, posted by Christ_empowered on September 11, 2015, at 11:15:28
I think 5htp works for some people, not everyone. For example, my sister who has bad insomnia said she tried both tryptophan and 5htp. Tryptophan didn't seem to work, but for awhile the 5htp seemed to be helping. Now it doesn't help her sleep architecture, so she stopped taking it. Now she relies on 15mg of melatonin, calcium, magnesium, and Benadryl. So I saw that web article about using 5htp and melatonin together. I guess it is an oversimplification to just combine these two together and expect a good night's rest. That's the Internet for ya! Sorry for any misinformation.
Lao
Posted by LaoTzu on October 7, 2015, at 13:29:54
In reply to Re: Sleep alternatives, posted by Christ_empowered on September 11, 2015, at 11:15:28
Glad it helped you, Christ! But I guess it doesn't work for everybody. Oh well...
This is the end of the thread.
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