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needonlinemeds · 5 years

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Zolpidem: Does the Sleeping Aids Actually Work?

According to a medical survey, about 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders, and also it is estimated they are spending more than $41 Billion on sleep aids and medications. About 60 million of people are buying sleeping aids are buying meds for insomnia and other sleep-related disorders every year.

These are some staggering statistics, so do they really work? There are about hundreds of sleeping aids available of which we are here to discuss in details the Zolpidem. So let’s get started: Order Viagra 100mg Online Overnight

Need to knows about Zolpidem

Zolpidem is a commonly marketed as Ambien and works by slowing down the activities in the brain, inducing effective dizziness allowing you to sleep. You can easy Buy Xanax 2mg Online delivery guaranteed at many leading online pharmacies. The drug comes in immediate release variant that helps you fall asleep fast.

The Benefits of Zolpidem

Zolpidem is a highly recommended drug by doctors as a short-term medication to help you overcome the temporary state of insomnia and other sleep disorders. The drug comes with several benefits such as:

- With its instant work formula, it works very quickly only with-in 30 minutes.

- Studies have affirmed the capabilities of the drug in initiating sleep process.

- The drug is efficient in improving your condition in about 7 to 10 days of starting medication. Don’t know where to order Ambien without prescription? Click here to know more!

The Drawbacks of Zolpidem

Side effects:

- Dizziness

- Constipation

- Uncontrollable shaking

- Rash

- Chest pain

- Difficulty in breathing

- Night-eating

- Sleep walking

Precautions:

- Not recommended for more than 7 days

- Taking more than prescribed dosage or not taking sufficient night rest can cause next-day impairments thus, 7-8 hour sleep is recommended.

- Not to be mixed with other drugs, on mixing the drug can cause serious reaction and impact effectiveness.

- Talk to your doctor about your current on-going medication and treatment.

- Drinking is strictly prohibited while using drug.

So does it work and worth buying?

So to answer it what makes the drug work is the gameplan by which your practitioner goes. There are a lot of things that can cause insomnia and thus, it is important to know that underlying condition. Developing a treatment plan is important specially if it is sleeping aids it becomes necessary to use them correctly. Buy Cialis 20mg Online Overnight

Other than that the drug is highly recommended and can be brought online easy. Ambien cost for oral tablet 5 mg is around $1,766 for a supply of 100 tablets

#order Ambien without prescription

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detoxnearme · 6 years

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Who Makes Ambien

Contents

Take 2 tablets

Comes packed with

Iwagakure could symptoms treatment heart

And acceptance and

Effects decreased tolerance

Apr 22, 2013 · Learn what increases your risk of Ambien addiction, the particular dangers of use and how to overcome both Ambien dependence and addiction.

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You're not the only one who turns into Picasso after 10 mg of Ambien.

Apr 22, 2013 · Learn what increases your risk of Ambien addiction, the particular dangers of use and how to overcome both Ambien dependence and addiction.

This seems to make Ambien Sex even more highly desired, and a bit like a dirty little secret on the part of the partner. Experts say there is no science behind the claims. Ambien is designed to relax a person and put them to sleep.

Some people who abuse Ambien, a sleep aid, begin using it just as directed by their physicians. It is prescription-only as it is meant to only be used for the short term - there is a problem with Ambien creating addiction if it is used for the long-term.

Apr 22, 2013 · Learn what increases your risk of Ambien addiction, the particular dangers of use and how to overcome both Ambien dependence and addiction.

Ambien comes packed with some pretty powerful potential side effects. Some side effects of Ambien are more common than others, but those who are especially sensitive to …

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Ambien is a popular sleep aid. Its availability makes many people see it as harmless. However Ambien abuse comes with serious health risks. These risks can be ...

How Is Methadone Used To Treat Drug Addiction Contents Pain medication around the clock Increased depression s-rank missing-nin from iwagakure could symptoms treatment heart problems. long term side effects Methadone is used to relieve severe pain in people who are expected to need pain medication around the clock for a long time and who cannot be treated with other … Methadone is available Is Methadone Considered An Opiate Contents This study compared the safety and The first pain that those who The first pain that Health. long term side effects Pain relief addiction are methadone symptoms Active pdl caffeine A Preliminary trial of twelve-step facilitation and acceptance and commitment therapy with polysubstance-abusing methadone-maintained opiate addicts* this study compared the safety and efficacy of How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Your Urine Contents Drug test see ways Posted in: valium What Are The Long Term Effects Of Opiates Contents Term side effects decreased tolerance for pain. increased depression S-rank missing-nin from iwagakure. during his Could symptoms treatment. the first pain That those who Long term opiate blocker use can have negative effects on your health. Long term side effects of methadone include impaired judgment and heart problems. Long term side effects of Suboxone What Is Oxycodone Used To Treat Contents For something other than pain relief Addiction are methadone Symptoms ask for help. warning

The following post Who Makes Ambien was originally published to https://detoxnear.me/

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antiagingninjas · 4 years

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Magnesium and Sleep: What You Need To Know

Do you have sleep problems? You’re not alone.

According to the National Institutes of Health, about 30% of the population complains of sleep deprivation. Furthermore, roughly 10% exhibit associated symptoms of daytime functional impairment consistent with an insomnia diagnosis.

Insomnia refers to the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep long enough to feel rested, especially when the problem persists for a long time. According to several studies, certain minerals can help people fall asleep and remain asleep through the night.

Magnesium is one of these minerals. Read on to learn more about magnesium, its benefits, and how it can help you deal with sleep problems and other disorders.

What Is Magnesium?

Magnesium (Mg) is a chemical element with an atomic number of 12. This shiny gray solid closely resembles the other five elements grouped with it on the periodic table.

It is an essential mineral, one of the seven essential macro-minerals that your body needs in large quantities. In fact, magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body. As an adult, your body contains a total of about 25 grams of the mineral.

The skeletal system stores 50-60% of this total. The rest is in the soft tissues, muscles, and bodily fluids. This mineral plays an integral role in more than 300 enzyme reactions in your body.

Its functions include promoting muscle and nerve function, supporting the immune system, and regulating blood pressure. You can find magnesium in the food you eat. It’s also available in a wide range of dietary supplements, including multivitamin-mineral supplements.

How Does Magnesium Work?

To fall asleep and remain asleep through the night, your body and brain need to relax. Magnesium contributes to the relaxation of your body and brain by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system.

The main role of this system is to get you calm and relaxed. To begin with, magnesium regulates neurotransmitters, which relay signals across the entire nervous system and the brain.

Additionally, it regulates the hormone melatonin. This hormone controls sleep-wake cycles in your body. This mineral also binds to GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors.

The main role of the GABA neurotransmitter is to calm nerve function. Sleep drugs such as Ambien also use this neurotransmitter. By calming down your nervous system, magnesium can help prepare your body and brain for a restful night’s sleep.

Benefits of Magnesium

Magnesium has a wide range of benefits for your body and overall health. Let’s explore some of the major benefits:

Improved sleep

Insomnia is one of the major symptoms of a magnesium deficiency. If you have low magnesium, you may experience restless sleep, waking often during the night.

You can enjoy deeper, more restful sleep by maintaining healthy magnesium levels in your body. We’ve already seen how magnesium works to promote healthy sleep.

Stress Relief

Magnesium increases GABA, which promotes relaxation. If you have low GABA levels in your body, you can have a hard time relaxing. This mineral also helps to regulate the body’s stress-response system.

Research also shows that low magnesium levels can increase stress and anxiety. Additionally, it shows that supplemental magnesium is an effective mood stabilizer. The mineral can relieve symptoms of mild-to-moderate anxiety as well as mild-to-moderate depression.

Bone Health

This mineral plays a major role in bone formation. It also helps maintain healthy bone density. Magnesium promotes the effective utilization of the bones’ building blocks, including calcium and vitamin D.

Cardiovascular Health

One of the major roles of magnesium is to regulate the body’s muscle function, including the heart muscle.

This mineral ensures that your heart maintains a healthy rhythm. In addition, it helps regulate blood pressure and cholesterol production.

Studies have shown that high dietary magnesium intake significantly lowers the risk of death for people who are vulnerable to cardiovascular disease.

In people with diabetes and hypertension, supplemental magnesium can reduce blood pressure. This mineral can also help treat other cardiovascular complications such as:

Angina

Arrhythmia

Mitral valve prolapse

Coronary artery disease

Metabolic Health

Magnesium plays an integral role in regulating blood sugar, as well as in glucose metabolism. If you have high magnesium levels, you’re less likely to develop Type II Diabetes compared to those with low magnesium levels.

Studies show that supplemental magnesium helps to improve insulin sensitivity in diabetes patients who have low levels of magnesium in their bodies. Additionally, people with a high magnesium intake are less susceptible to metabolic syndrome, which raises the risk of diabetes.

Pain Relief

According to research, magnesium can help alleviate pain in several health conditions, including:

Chronic lower back pain

Fibromyalgia

Headaches, including migraines

Other benefits of magnesium include reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), improving cognitive function in kids with ADHD, and promoting athletic performance.

Foods High in Magnesium

Dark green, leafy vegetables are the best source of dietary magnesium. Other foods that are rich in magnesium are:

Fruits such as avocados, bananas, and dried apricots

Nuts, including cashews and almonds

Legumes, such as peas and black beans

Soy products, including tofu and soy flour

Whole grains

Dairy products

Dark chocolate

Salmon

Seeds, such as pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds

Why We Need Supplements

A few servings of magnesium-rich foods per day can meet your need for this essential mineral. However, if you can’t meet your daily magnesium needs through food alone, you might want to take supplements.

Magnesium supplements come in a variety of forms, including magnesium chloride, oxide, and citrate. The absorption rate of these different forms into the body varies. Magnesium supplements that dissolve properly in liquids have a better absorption rate than their less soluble counterparts.

According to some studies, magnesium in the citrate, aspartate, chloride, and lactate forms is absorbed more effectively and is more bioavailable compared to magnesium sulfate and magnesium oxide.

Another study revealed that taking a high dose of zinc with magnesium many not only undermine magnesium absorption but also disrupt the body’s mineral balance.

It’s important to consult with your doctor before you take any magnesium supplements. This mineral can react negatively with certain antibiotics, diuretics, and high blood pressure medications.

How To Take Magnesium to Help With Sleep

To have a good night’s sleep, you should take magnesium about 20 minutes before going to bed. You can do that in the following ways:

Applying a magnesium spray to your skin – This is perhaps the simplest and quickest way to use magnesium for sleep. You can even use such sprays on the go, on any virtually any part of the body.

Taking a warm bath infused with a magnesium solution – This method works best for individuals with sensitive skin.

Having a footbath enriched with magnesium – The feet play a major role in the absorption of the mineral into the body, as they’re the body’s most absorbent parts.

Massaging your skin with a magnesium-based lotion – This not only promotes faster absorption of the mineral, but it also hydrates and moisturizes your skin.

As with all dietary supplements, there are different recommended daily magnesium dosage amounts for children and adults:

Adults: 300 mg per day

Pregnant women: 400 mg daily

15 – 18-year-old children: 300 mg per day

11 – 14-year-old children: 280 mg per day

7 – 10-year olds: 200 mg daily

4-6-year olds: 120 mg

1 – 3-year old: 85mg

7 – 12-month old: 75mg

Children age 6 months or less: 30 mg

Healthy adults usually tolerate magnesium very well. However, excessive intake of this mineral can cause serious side effects, which include:

Irregular heartbeat

Bloating

Low blood pressure

Mental confusion

Irregular breathing

Coma, and even death

If you belong to any of the following categories of people, be sure to consult a physician before taking any magnesium supplement:

Individuals with bleeding disorders

Pregnant or breast-feeding women

Individuals with kidney issues

Individuals with heart block

Which Magnesium is Best for Sleep and Anxiety?

Several forms of magnesium are beneficial for sleep and anxiety, but which is the overall best magnesium for these conditions?

Magnesium glycinate is the most effective in improving the amount and quality of sleep. It also helps with anxiety. This supplement is one of the most bioavailable forms of magnesium you can find on the market today.

It is also one of the few supplements that do not cause many side effects and is especially gentle on the stomach. If your anxiety can’t let you sleep, magnesium glycinate can be an effective remedy for you.

Another effective form of magnesium is magnesium chloride. It is one of the most popular magnesium supplements available.

Here’s a look at some other magnesium supplements that can help with sleep and anxiety:

Magnesium Oxide – Besides being effective in relieving anxiety, magnesium oxide also works as an antacid. That means it can ease heartburn, constipation, and indigestion. This supplement can also help relieve migraines.

Magnesium Citrate – According to many manufacturers of magnesium citrate, this supplement has a calming effect. It has a better absorption rate than most other forms of magnesium and is often used in the treatment of constipation.

Magnesium Lactate – This form of magnesium is commonly used as a food additive, and many people don’t recognize it as a dietary supplement. It is an ideal option if you are sensitive to other forms of magnesium or if you want to take higher doses.

Qualia Night Review

If you’re looking for a powerful magnesium supplement to improve your sleep, check out Qualia Night.

This whole-system solution promotes deep sleep, immunity, cognition, and long-term sleep performance.

It combines more than 25 clinically studied ingredients to give your body what it needs to have a calm evening and deep, revitalizing sleep.

When you wake up the next morning, you’ll feel more energetic and focused.

Qualia Night Pros and Cons

Pros

Promotes deep, restorative sleep

Intensifies next day energy and performance

Enhances brain health and mental clarity

Promotes healthy immunity functions

Cons

More expensive compared to regular magnesium supplements

How Qualia Night Works

Qualia Night enhances the production of stem cell and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). It also promotes GABA, balances cortisol levels, and supports the health of the gut microbiome.

It achieves this through a high-quality blend of polyphenols, herbal adaptogens, neuro-lipids, nootropics, therapeutic mushrooms, cellular antioxidants, and Ayurvedic Rasayanas. All these processes ensure you wake up feeling rejuvenated.

Qualia Night Ingredients

Qualia Night has more than 25 powerful ingredients, including the following:

KSM-66 Ashwagandha® Root Extract – This ingredient promotes sleep quality, muscle recovery, relaxation, immunity, and better stress response. These are the main goals of Qualia Night.

Magnesium – Qualia Night contains 400 mg of magnesium glycinate. Glycine improves sleep quality, ensuring you feel energetic the next morning.

Gotu Kola Whole Herb Extract – Gotu Kola serves as a mental rejuvenator in Ayurvedic medicine. Unlike most nootropics that are effective only at the start of the day, Gotu Kola works best in the evening, thanks to its calming effects. It also promotes repair and revitalization processes.

Holy Basil Leaf Extract – Holy basil is an adaptogen that supports a healthy stress response. It helps in combating hyperarousal, one of the major causes of poor sleep. This ingredient also improves cognition, immunity, and mood.

Vitamin B6 – Qualia Night contains vitamin B6 in the form of pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (P5P). P5P plays a prominent role in brain pathways, generating three essential nighttime molecules – melatonin, serotonin, and GABA.

Other important ingredients of Qualia Night include Lycopene, L-tryptophan, and L-theanine (a relaxing amino acid that occurs naturally in green tea).

Magnesium and Sleep: Summing Up

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in the human body. It is essential for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including energy production, promoting proper functions of nerves and muscles, as well as regulating blood pressure.

This mineral is especially critical for promoting healthy sleep. It achieves this by calming down your nervous system, preparing your body and brain for a night of deep, rejuvenating sleep. You can get magnesium from foods like dark leafy vegetables, legumes, seeds, dairy products, and whole grains.

Supplements like magnesium oxide, magnesium glycinate, magnesium lactate, and magnesium chloride are also a great source of your daily supply of this mineral. Always consult a physician before using any supplements.

Qualia Night

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The post Magnesium and Sleep: What You Need To Know appeared first on Anti Aging Ninjas.

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nootropicsinformation · 5 years

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In-Depth Review of Melatonin & The Science of Micro-Dosing It

Nootropics Information

Original post on https://nootro.info/melatonin

Summary: Melatonin is known for helping insomnia, is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, protects against neurodegenerative diseases, stroke and brain trauma. At a micro dose of 300mcg, Melatonin is gaining wide popularity and most healthy nootropic users are found to include it in their evening stack.

Introduction

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a multitasking hormone produced by the brain’s pinecone-shaped pineal gland. It plays several roles in the body, including helping to regulate blood pressure, boost immune function, and manage cortisol levels. But melatonin is probably best known for its soporific powers. Chief among its responsibilities is regulating the body’s circadian rhythm so it knows when to rest and when to wake up. That’s why melatonin is often referred to as the body’s sleep hormone.

Benefits & Effects

Melatonin Regulates Circadian Rhythm and Enhances Sleep Quality

Melatonin increases the quality of sleep. The Circadian Rhythm influences the body’s sleeping habits. Think of it as a built-in clock that controls our bodies processes 24 hours a day. Scientists have observed that Melatonin normalizes the Circadian rhythm which can sometimes become distorted due to modern lifestyle. [R]

Melatonin Alleviates Anxiety and Depression Symptoms

Conditions like depression and anxiety usually worsen by a disturbed, intermittent or a lack of a sleeping pattern.

Having these disturbances regulated can alleviate the symptoms of these conditions, not mainly offering a cure but by far offering an improvement in the standard of life. [R]

Melatonin is a Potent Antioxidant

Antioxidant enzymes roles within our bodies are to help clean the cells in our bodies and filter our bloodstream from harmful cells. Melatonin increases the rate at which our body produces these enzymes that would be naturally.

These molecules in question can also bond to what is called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) & Reactive Nitrogen Species (NOS) which can decrease the level of damage each of these can cause respectively.

The benefits directly from this are that Melatonin prevents any harm coming to your organ systems or tissues. These advantages combined make Melatonin a very useful protectorate within your body internally. These antioxidants can also have benefits for the most critical organ in our body, our brain. [R]

Melatonin Supports BDNF

Nerve cells are also protected by the increase of these enzymes produced by Melatonin, having a positive onward affect towards the spinal cord including white matter and optic nerves. Its regeneration is down to something called the ‘Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor’ (BDNF); in simple terms, this is a protein responsible for the nerves regeneration and well-being within our brains. [R]

Melatonin Strengthens the Blood-Brain Barrier

Melatonin strengthens the ever significant barrier between the brain and our blood. If the strength of this barrier were to deteriorate and for example leak, this can lead to cognitive dysfunction (also known as brain fog) and could potentially result in future to conditions such as Alzheimer’s. [R]

Melatonin is Neuroprotectant

In addition to defending against conditions such as Alzheimer’s development, Melatonin can also aid as a coping mechanism for users who have Parkinson’s.

Melatonin in tests was shown to prohibit cell death and brain damage, sometimes as a cause of a leaky blood-brain barrier.

Referring back to the regulation of sleep, this can also help people who, however, there is currently no proof it helps with any of the other side-effects of the condition. [R]

Melatonin Replaces Benzos for Sleep

Its widely known that benzos usually depress the natural levels of melatonin within our bodies.

Our recommendation is if you are using one of these drugs for sleep, it would be wise to start using melatonin instead. Moreover, start weaning yourself off the benzos. [R]

Mechanism of Action

Melatonin works together with your body’s circadian rhythm.

In simple terms, the circadian rhythm is your body’s internal clock. It lets you know when it’s time to sleep, wake and eat.

Melatonin also helps regulate your body temperature, blood pressure and hormone levels [R]

Melatonin levels start to rise in your body when it is dark outside, signaling to your body that it is time to sleep [R]

It also binds to receptors in the body and can help you relax. For instance, melatonin binds to receptors in the brain to help reduce nerve activity. In the eyes, it can help reduce dopamine levels, a hormone that enables you to stay awake. [R] [R]

Melatonin is controlled by light and darkness. When we’re awake and the sun’s out, we don’t produce any melatonin. But at night, the onset of darkness signals to our pineal gland to release melatonin into the bloodstream.

Your melatonin levels begin to increase about two hours before you go to bed, typically around 9 p.m., and peak about five hours later. As melatonin levels rise throughout our body — it’s found in a variety of our organs, including our eyes, bones, ovaries/testes and gut — our body knows it’s time to drift off to Slumber Town. [R]

Melatonin exerts many of its effects vicariously through melatonin receptors, similar to how insulin affects the insulin receptor. The melatonin receptors are named MT1 and MT2, and are G-protein coupled receptors (GPRCs) coupled to Gi proteins (a heterotrimer of α, β, and γ that dissociates into α and βγ when the receptor is activated). These two receptors are quite different from each other, as they structure pharmacological characteristics and chromosomal location, yet both have high affinity for melatonin. A third ‘receptor’ exists, known as MT3, but it is not a GPRC like MT1/2. Due to the cytoplasmic protein quinone reductase II having the same melatonin binding properties as ‘MT3’, and deletion of quinone reductase II causing ‘MT3’ to disappear, MT3 may just be quinone reductase II.

Examine.com

Dosage

You’ll see melatonin recommended in a range of doses, starting at around 0.5 milligrams up to 10 milligrams for people with sleep disorders, with the most common dosage being around 3 milligrams.

But even this is probably way more than you need.

You’re better off basing your melatonin intake on increments that mirror how much melatonin our bodies produce at night. According to clinical studies, the optimal dose is 0.3 milligrams. [R]

Melatonin Overdose

Even though the overwhelming verdict is that melatonin is safe, you can have too much of a good thing. Overdosing on melatonin has not been shown to be fatal, but it can produce the aforementioned side effects, like dizziness and grogginess. In one known case, after taking 24 milligrams of melatonin, a man became lethargic and disoriented, but returned to normal and did not continue to have issues once he lowered his dosage.

In addition, large doses could potentially cause amenorrhea (skipped periods) in women, due to it suppressing gonadotropin-releasing hormones, but if you can easily remedy this side effect by simply stopping your melatonin supplements. [R]

Side Effects

Overall, the side effects of melatonin are pretty toothless. Unlike other sleep aids, like benzodiazepines and z-drugs (think: Ambien and Lunesta), melatonin does not cause dependence or withdrawal symptoms. [R]

The most commonly reported melatonin side effect is daytime drowsiness. Other melatonin side effects include nausea, headache, and dizziness. [R]

If course, if you’re taking other medications, you should check with your physician before popping a melatonin. It has been known to interact with some antidepressants, blood pressure medications, sedatives, antibiotics, and antihistamines. [R]

Up to 240 mg and 500 mg oral and intravenous injections of melatonin taken acutely is not associated with any toxicological effects. [R]

A handful of large scale, 6–12 month studies, suggest continued administration of melatonin does not result in tolerance.

Examine.com

Conclusion

There’s great amount of evidence suggesting as well as proving the benefits of supplementing with melatonin whether for sleep purposes or overall general health.

Best practices when supplementing with melatonin for long-term benefits is to take a microdose of 300 mcg on daily basis before bedtime.

This microdose will serve a host of benefits most noteworthy of which is antioxidation and supporting mitochondria and antioxidation.

Many Nootropic focused companies are now aware of this and its benefits and so finally starting to see products in microdoses such as Nootropic Depot’s, which I have personally been using for a long time. Prior to which, I tried a couple of different products at the doses of 3 mg and it made me very heavy and groggy for a long time.

User Experience

First User Experience

A reddit user documented his experience after 2 years of using microdose of melatonin as recommended alongside magnesium, and his realization of how beneficial it had been working for him after he stopped.

I took Magnesium Citrate (200–400mg) and Melatonin (0.3mg) both every night for over 2 years and thought they didn’t make much difference in my sleep. It turned out to be very wrong — I now remember how poor my sleep was 3 years ago, before starting to take them. I wake up from the slightest noise and can’t go back to sleep for many hours afterwards — even if I wake up after only 4 hours, I would need to wait 3 hours before I fall asleep again, without Magnesium and Melatonin. This has been this way since I was a child. I find Melatonin is better for actually falling asleep initially, while Magnesium is better for maintaining quality sleep afterwards.

u/SuperAgonist on Nootropics subreddit

Second User Experience

I have learned the same lesson with melatonin in that less is more. I took 30 mg one evening and had very unsettling and vivid dreams. Not restful at all. I find 5 mg timed release works well. If you are interested in another natural sleep / relaxation aid, I have had success with Red Bali Kratom.

u/beesler70

Further & External Readings

For more insight about melatonin and its benefits from a nootropic perspective, check out our blog post Melatonin For Sleep: How Effective Is It? as well as the following articles:

· Melatonin in-depth review by David Tomen of Nootropics Expert

· Four Surprising Reasons Melatonin is More Than a Sleep Aid by Mansal Denton, the editor of Nootropedia

· Melatonin for Sleep: Everything You Need to Know About the Snooze-Inducing Hormone by Mary Squillace for The Bulletproof Blog

If you still have questions, please visit our Ultimate Frequently Asked Questions page.

Nootropics Information

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thomasalwyndavis · 6 years

Text

Understanding GABA

The post Understanding GABA Find more on: The Thomas ALwyn Davis Blog

What you need to know about this popular supplement for sleep, stress and anxiety

GABA is one of the supplements I get asked a lot by patients, often with looks of confusion on their faces. I think the confusion comes from the fact that GABA is both a chemical produced within body AND a supplement that’s made for ingestion. Unlike melatonin, which is also produced within the body and as a supplement, GABA isn’t nearly as well known—nor has it received nearly the amount of scientific attention as melatonin supplement. Given the interest and popularity of GABA—and the importance of the body’s own GABA to sleep, mood, and health—it’s definitely worth spending some time talking about.

What is GABA?

GABA (full name, Gamma-Aminobutyric acid) is an amino acid produced naturally in the brain. GABA functions as a neurotransmitter, facilitating communication among brain cells. GABA’s big role in the body is to reduce the activity of neurons in the brain and central nervous system, which in turn has a broad range of effects on the body and mind, including increased relaxation, reduced stress, a more calm, balanced mood, alleviation of pain, and a boost to sleep.

Many medications interact with GABA and GABA receptors in the brain, altering their function to achieve certain effects, often relaxation, pain relief, stress and anxiety reduction, lowering blood pressure, and improving sleep. Barbiturates, anesthetics, benzodiazepines, anti-depressants and anti-seizure medications are some of the medications that target GABA.

In addition, a number of natural supplements affect GABA activity, to help relieve stress and anxiety, promote a balanced mood, and help with sleep. I’ve written about valerian and hops, magnesium, and L-theanine, all of which have an effect on the brain’s GABA activity. Other natural supplements that may affect the brain’s GABA activity include L-arginine, kava, passionflower, American ginseng and others.

GABA is found naturally in varieties of green, black, and oolong tea, as well as in fermented foods including kefir, yogurt and tempeh. Other foods contain GABA or may boost its production in the body, including whole grains, fava, soy, lentils and other beans, nuts including walnuts, almonds and sunflower seeds, fish, including shrimp and halibut, citrus, tomatoes, berries, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, and cocoa.

GABA is also available as a supplement. GABA supplements are often used to treat high blood pressure, stress and anxiety, and sleep, as well as to stimulate the body’s natural growth hormone, often by athletes.

How does GABA work?

I call GABA the brakes of the brain. GABA is the body’s most important inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means it lowers the activity of neural cells in the brain and central nervous system, having the effect of moving the brain and the body into lower gear. By inhibiting neural activity, GABA facilitates sleep, reduces mental and physical stress, lowers anxiety, and creates a calmness of mood. GABA also plays an important role in regulating muscle tone. In combination with glutamate, the body’s most important excitatory neurotransmitter, GABA is an important contributor to the body’s overall mental and physical homeostasis, or balance.

GABA plays a role in the healthy functioning of the body’s immune and endocrine systems, as well as in the regulation of appetite and metabolism. There’s also interesting emerging research about GABA’s role in gut health and gastrointestinal function, where it may work to support motility, control inflammation and support immune system function, and help to regulate hormone activity.

Low GABA activity in the body can result in:

Anxiety

Chronic stress

Depression

Difficulty concentrating and memory problems

Muscle pain and headaches

Insomnia and other sleep problems

Low GABA activity is also associated with substance use disorders.

There is ongoing investigation and debate about how GABA supplements work in the body, and how their mechanisms of action may differ from the body’s own internally-produced GABA. Specifically, scientists have not reached consensus about whether, or how effectively, supplemental GABA crosses what’s known as the blood-brain barrier—meaning, how well it moves from the bloodstream directly into the brain. There remains real need for additional research into the effects of supplemental GABA, including how GABA may affect the nervous system via the gut. Below, I’ll talk about what science tells us today about the potential effectiveness of GABA supplements for sleep and other conditions.

Benefits of GABA

For sleep: The body’s own GABA activity is important for sleep. GABA enables the body and mind to relax and fall asleep, and sleep soundly throughout the night. Low GABA activity is linked to insomnia and disrupted sleep. In one study, GABA levels in people with insomnia were almost 30 percent lower than in people without the sleep disorder. And these low GABA levels also corresponded to more restless, wakeful sleep. Big-pharma sleep medications including those with zolpidem (Ambien and others) and eszopiclone (Lunesta and others) target the body’s GABA system to increase sedation and sleep. Research indicates that one negative side effect of these sleep medications—hallucinations—may result from their alterations to GABA activity.)

There’s relatively limited research that investigates the direct benefits of supplemental GABA for sleep. Some recent research suggests that GABA produced in fermented food may increase sleep time and decrease the time it takes to fall asleep. Another recent study showed a combination of GABA and 5-HTP may together improve sleep quality and increase sleep time. (I’ve written before about the sleep and relaxation benefits of 5-HTP, here.) Given the importance of GABA to the body’s sleep patterns, more research into the effects of GABA supplements on sleep is sorely needed!

For stress and anxiety: As a natural chemical the body produces, GABA’s primary role is to diminish the activity of neurons in the brain and central nervous system, which puts the body in a greater state of relaxation, and alleviates stress and anxiety. Supplemental GABA may benefit sleep by aiding relaxation and providing relief from anxiety and stress. There remains debate among scientists about supplemental GABA’s effectiveness in reducing anxiety and stress, because of longstanding questions over supplemental GABA’s ability to enter the brain from the bloodstream. (It’s important to note that GABA, in supplement form, may have other ways of relaxing the body and relieving, including possibly through GABA’s activity in the gut microbiome.)

While that scientific debate goes on, some studies have shown GABA to be effective in lowering anxiety and boosting relaxation. One small study of a group of 13 adults showed GABA effective as a relaxant and anxiety reliever, with slowed brain waves seen within an hour of taking the supplement. This study also found a boost to immune system also occurred with GABA, suggesting supplemental GABA may enhance immunity in people who are undergoing mental stress.

Another larger study investigated the effects of 100 milligrams of GABA among a group of people who’d recently undertaken a stressful mental task. Scientists measured a slowing down of brain waves in the people who’d taken GABA, pointing to an alleviation of mental stress. Another study tested the effects of GABA in people who were about to take a stressful math test. People who ate chocolate infused with GABA rebounded more quickly from the test-related stress, including stress-lowering changes to heart-rate variability.

For high blood pressure: GABA supplements are sometimes used by people as a natural way to lower blood pressure. There is scientific evidence indicating that GABA may work to reduce high blood pressure. In one study of people with borderline high blood pressure, 12 weeks of use of the supplement chlorella, a type of algae that is rich in GABA, significantly lowered blood pressure. In addition to being important on its own, maintaining a healthy blood pressure can also help protect your sleep. A natural drop in blood pressure at night is one part of the body’s progression into sleep. High blood pressure can be a sign of hyper-arousal, a state of physical alertness and vigilance that can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Poor sleep and sleep disorders, particularly sleep apnea, contribute to high blood pressure, and can lead to the kind of hypertension that is difficult to treat.

GABA: what to kno

Always consult your doctor before you begin taking a supplement or make any changes to your existing medication and supplement routine. This is not medical advice, but it is information you can use as a conversation-starter with your physician at your next appointment.

GABA dosing

The following doses are based on amounts that have been investigated in scientific studies. In general, it is recommended that users begin with the lowest suggested dose, and gradually increase as needed.

For sleep, stress and anxiety: 100-200 mg and higher doses, in scientific studies. Individual dosing and length of use will vary.

For high blood pressure: 10-20 mg, in scientific studies.

Possible side effects of GABA

GABA oral supplements are generally well tolerated by healthy adults. Some people may experience negative side effects, including:

Gastric distress

Nausea

Diminished appetite

Constipation

Burning throat

Drowsiness and fatigue

Muscle weakness

Shortness of breath, at very high doses

GABA interactions

These are commonly used medications and supplements that have scientifically-identified interactions with GABA. People who take these or any other medications and supplements should consult with a physician before beginning to use GABA as a supplement.

Interactions with medications

High blood pressure medications. GABA can lower blood pressure. If you take GABA in addition to taking blood pressure medication, your blood pressure may drop too low.

Anti-depressant medications. People taking anti-depressant medications should consult with their physicians before taking GABA.

Neurally-active medications. People taking medications that affect brain activity should consult their physicians before taking GABA.

Interactions with other supplements

Herbs and supplements that may lower blood pressure. Because GABA may lower your blood pressure, if you take GABA along with other herbs or supplements that also may lower blood pressure, the combination may lead to your blood pressure dropping too low.

Herbs and supplements that lower blood pressure include, but are not limited to:

Cocoa

Alpha-linolenic acid

Blond psyllium, and other fiber supplements

Cod liver oil

Magnesium

Calcium

Potassium

Folic acid

Coenzyme Q10

L-arginine

Garlic

Omega-3 fatty acids

I’ve seen patients experience relief from anxiety, reduced stress, and improved sleep via the relaxing impact of supplemental GABA. I don’t think we’ve seen nearly enough research to have a sufficient understanding of how GABA supplements might affect stress, mood, and sleep, or other ways GABA as a supplement may benefit emotional, cognitive, and physical health. As we learn more—which I hope we do, soon—I’ll be sure to update you.

Sweet Dreams,

Michael J. Breus, PhD, DABSM

The Sleep Doctor

www.thesleepdoctor.com

The post Understanding GABA appeared first on Your Guide to Better Sleep.

from Blog | Your Guide to Better Sleep https://www.thesleepdoctor.com/2018/06/19/understanding-gaba/

from Thomas Alwyn Davis - Feed https://thomasalwyndavis.com/understanding-gaba/

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ellymackay · 6 years

Text

Understanding GABA

Understanding GABA Read more on: Elly Mackay's Sleep Blog

What you need to know about this popular supplement for sleep, stress and anxiety

What is GABA?

How does GABA work?

Low GABA activity in the body can result in:

Anxiety

Chronic stress

Depression

Difficulty concentrating and memory problems

Muscle pain and headaches

Insomnia and other sleep problems

Low GABA activity is also associated with substance use disorders.

Benefits of GABA

GABA: what to kno

GABA dosing

For sleep, stress and anxiety: 100-200 mg and higher doses, in scientific studies. Individual dosing and length of use will vary.

For high blood pressure: 10-20 mg, in scientific studies.

Possible side effects of GABA

GABA oral supplements are generally well tolerated by healthy adults. Some people may experience negative side effects, including:

Gastric distress

Nausea

Diminished appetite

Constipation

Burning throat

Drowsiness and fatigue

Muscle weakness

Shortness of breath, at very high doses

GABA interactions

Interactions with medications

High blood pressure medications. GABA can lower blood pressure. If you take GABA in addition to taking blood pressure medication, your blood pressure may drop too low.

Anti-depressant medications. People taking anti-depressant medications should consult with their physicians before taking GABA.

Neurally-active medications. People taking medications that affect brain activity should consult their physicians before taking GABA.

Interactions with other supplements

Herbs and supplements that lower blood pressure include, but are not limited to:

Cocoa

Alpha-linolenic acid

Blond psyllium, and other fiber supplements

Cod liver oil

Magnesium

Calcium

Potassium

Folic acid

Coenzyme Q10

L-arginine

Garlic

Omega-3 fatty acids

Sweet Dreams,

Michael J. Breus, PhD, DABSM

The Sleep Doctor

www.thesleepdoctor.com

The post Understanding GABA appeared first on Your Guide to Better Sleep.

from Your Guide to Better Sleep https://www.thesleepdoctor.com/2018/06/19/understanding-gaba/

from Elly Mackay - Feed https://www.ellymackay.com/2018/06/19/understanding-gaba/

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supplementhoundblog · 7 years

Text

10 Best Kava Supplements – Reviewed & Ranked for 2017

Last Updated: Wednesday, April 26, 2017

If you’re looking for the best kava supplements to buy this year, then you’ve come to the right place.

You can also get more info by jumping to our Kava Supplements Guide.

Top 10 Kava Supplements

#1 NOW Foods Kava Kava Extract More Info #2 Gaia Herbs Kava Kava Root More Info #3 Natrol Kava Kava More Info #4 Nature’s Answer Kava-6 More Info #5 Oregon’s Wild Harvest Kava Root More Info #6 Eclectic Institute Kava Kava More Info #7 Source Naturals Kava More Info #8 Maui Medicinal Herbs Hawaiian Kava More Info #9 Pure Mountain Botanicals Kava More Info #10 Mediherb Kava Forte More Info

Kava Supplements Guide

Kava (its scientific name is Piper methysticum) is a plant that’s native to the western islands of the South Pacific. The plant is related to the common pepper. South Pacific islanders have traditionally used the plant’s extracts in a drink used in ceremonies. The drink is also used in social situations, similar to the way alcohol is sometimes used. Its name comes from the Polynesian word for “bitter.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory to consumers regarding the use of kava supplements. Although this side effect is relatively rare, cases of severe liver complications have been reported in people using kava supplements. Other governments, including those of Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, have issued similar statements.

Kava supplements were actually banned in Germany for a time, although the German courts threw out the law in 2014. However, the consumer advisory does not mean that kava supplements cannot be sold in the U.S. The supplements remain available over the counter at most pharmacies and drug stores.

What is a Kava Supplement?

The kava plant goes by a wide variety of common names, some of which include:

Ava pepper

Awa

Gea

Intoxicating pepper

Kawa kawa

Kava kava

Kava pepper

Kava root

Kew

Long pepper

Malohu

Sakau

Tonga

Yangona

Usually, the part of the kava plant that is used in dietary supplements is the root or the underground part of the stem. Supplements containing the kava plant are marketing for the relief of anxiety, stress, or tension, as well as insomnia and the symptoms of perimenopause and premenstrual syndrome.

Although there is little or no evidence to support these uses, kava supplements have also been used in the treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, the common cold, depression, epilepsy, headaches, migraines, muscle pain, psychosis, respiratory infections, tuberculosis, and withdrawal from certain sedative medications. Kava has also been used in topical applications as a treatment for canker sores, toothaches, and leprosy, and to promote wound healing.

Additionally, some people take kava supplements for cancer prevention. Again, there is little or no scientific evidence that kava supplements are effective for this use.

Benefits of Kava Supplements

Some evidence has shown that supplements containing kava have some effect of reducing anxiety. This effect depends upon the dosage and preparation method. Supplements that contain at least 70% of the active ingredient kavalactones seem to have the most significant effect, according to some research. Further study is needed to determine whether an effective dosage for anxiety relief can be balanced with a dose that is safe from the liver toxicity effects.

Further, some people who experience anxiety may be more likely to be helped by kava supplements than others. The anxiety-reducing effect seems to be greatest in people who are young, female, and have severe anxiety. Those who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) have seen improvement in their symptoms after using kava.

Research into the anti-anxiety effects of kava supplements has also suggested that, unlike some prescription medications for anxiety disorders, kava supplements may actually improve cognitive performance instead of having a depressing effect on mental functioning. The same study also suggests that kava supplements can elevate mood. Those who do not want to take kava supplements on a long-term basis may be interested to learn that some research has suggested that single doses of kava, taken before a mentally stressful task, have been shown to reduce anxiety in the short term.

Some studies have also shown that taking kava supplements over an 8-week period helps reduce the symptoms of perimenopause, including hot flashes.

Are There any Side Effects?

Serious liver-related side effects of using kava supplements could include cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver failure. Some of those who have experienced liver failure have required liver transplants. According to FDA reports, these severe liver side effects occurred in fewer than one percent of the people who used kava supplements.

People who have known liver conditions should not use kava supplements. Those taking kava supplements will want to contact their health care providers as soon as possible if they experience any of the following symptoms that could be indicative of liver disorders:

Brown or dark urine

Decreased appetite

Fatigue

Nausea

Unexplained weight loss

Vomiting

Yellowing of the skin

Yellowing of the whites of the eyes

Combining the use of kava supplements with the use of alcohol puts one at an increased risk for experiencing negative side effects from the kava plant.

Dry and/or scaly skin has also been reported as another side effect of the long-term use of kava supplements. Eye irritation and heart problems have also been reported as a result of using large amounts of kava.

Those who are taking medicines that suppress, or slow down, the central nervous system should be aware of potential drug interactions with kava supplements. These medications include benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax; sleep medications such as Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata; and barbiturates such as Luminal Sodium and Nembutal. Kava supplements may amplify the effects of these drugs, causing the user to have increased trouble with motor reflexes. More study is needed on the effects of drug interactions with kava supplements.

Some medications have to be broken down by the liver to be effective, and these medications can be affected by kava supplements. These include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) medicines such as Prilosec and Prevacid as well as the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin) and other classes of prescription drugs. A health care provider can help an individual determine whether his or her medication has the potential to interact with kava supplements.

Kava supplements can cause the symptoms of some conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and depression, to become more severe. Those who have these conditions, or who are scheduled for surgery within two weeks, should not use kava supplements. Because kava-containing supplements affect the central nervous system, it is potentially dangerous to use kava supplements before one undergoes anesthesia.

Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not use kava supplements. Not enough research has been done to show that kava supplements are safe during pregnancy or for young children who may ingest the supplement through the mother’s milk.

How to Take Kava Supplements

Kava supplements are generally available as capsules or tablets. Extracts are also available, and some use the dried, ground root to make a drink out of kava plants. Kava supplements are generally taken by mouth. Always follow the label instructions.

What to Look for in a Good Kava Supplement

Individuals who wish to try kava supplements for anxiety reduction should look for a supplement that contains at least 70% kavalactones. Without this strength of the active ingredient, the dosage is less likely to have an effect. Generally, the effective dose for anxiety treatment is between 50 and 100 mg, and the course of treatment may last up to 25 weeks. Courses of treatment of more than 25 weeks and doses of greater than 300 mg are generally not recommended. A health care provider may recommend a kava supplement that also contains calcium.

Individuals using kava supplements to help treat anxiety should visit a health care provider to discuss the most effective course of treatment, including dosage, possible side effects, interactions with other medications, and the use of kava supplements as a complementary medicine along with other, more conventional treatments for anxiety. Researchers note that it may take 5-12 weeks for the clinic effect to be seen.

When choosing a nutritional supplement, consumers may want to look at the inactive ingredients. Those who are trying not to eat too much sugar, for example, may want to look for sugar-free supplements. Vegans will want to avoid supplements that contain animal-sourced gelatin as an inactive ingredient.

Sources https://www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/consumers/ucm085482.htm https://nccih.nih.gov/health/kava https://nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/herb-drug https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/cns-depressants/what-are-cns-depressants https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5147a1.htm http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-872-kava.aspx?activeingredientid=872&activeingredientname=kava http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0815/p433.html http://www.ahpa.org/News/LatestNews/tabid/96/ArtMID/1179/ArticleID/292/Default.aspx http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/kava-kava

The post 10 Best Kava Supplements – Reviewed & Ranked for 2017 appeared first on Supplement Hound - Supplement Reviews for 2016.

from Supplement Hound – Supplement Reviews for 2016 http://supplementhound.com/best-kava-supplements/

#Supplement Hound – Supplement Reviews for 2016

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