Insomnia Cures?

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by vash

Greg. Classic Cortisol issues. dang frustrating I bet.

Thanks. Will do some digging...

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Thinking about the gummies also. Is the CBD or THC preferred? Any concerns with THC gummies work, driving, etc the next day? Anybody have a preferred vendor?

I do the THC gummies...here is a link to the place in Mechanicsville, Maryland I legally go:

https://storycannabis.com/

It is a good place to get a sense of what is available.

I also use the THC lotion for aches and pains. For gummies, Achy Eddies and Curio.

Except for the topical (I use Avexia and you do not get high) I never take anything during the day...all before bed.

I should write that I track on a paper calendar (printed from Outlook) every thing I take everyday, including the time, dosage and then how I felt: Supplements, anything OTC, the one prescription drug I take, med appointments, etc.

I also clear everything, since it is legal in Maryland, with my PCP before I use anything new, including THC. We are discussing Conolidine, available online, as a non-prescription pain killer. I have some on this trip to SC and my PCP and I talk later today to see if we can work it in.

I know the above sounds like too much, but it really helps me discover what works in a consistent manner.

I watched a few friends of mine succumb to opioid addiction and I will not.

There is a lot more but this should get you started. The key is to find, and by extension, not find, what works for you.

Edit: While I support some aspects of leaglization of pot, the Vap stuff needs to be looked at. Wow.

[Cajundaddy]

Changes I made that significantly improved sleep as I approach the big 70. I now get an average of 7 hrs of real sleep and *mostly* with few interruptions. If I do find myself waking between 1-3 am it can often be associated with one or more missed steps in my in my preparation.

I only use Melatonin once when traveling to "reset the clock" for a new time zone. No other pharma or supplements. A thorough annual blood test to confirm I am not vitamin or mineral deficient. I also make sure to take a brisk 2 mile walk every day to burn up excess energy and stay reasonably fit.

Nighttime pre-flight checklist:
1. Avoid caffeine, sugar, carbs, and alcohol after 7pm.
2. Drink only water in the evening.
3. Regular bedtime prep 11 pm, wake normally 7 am.
4. Get the lighting low in the evening and avoid intense or anxiety-producing reading, news, or films.
5. Let the dog out.
6. After teeth brushing, spend 5-10 minutes doing meditative breathing exercises to clear the mechanism and get my heart rate down to around 50. If I drink alcohol later in the evening, getting my heart rate below 60 is nearly impossible and sleep is often interrupted. This is a biggie for me.

Hopefully one or more of these ideas may be helpful.

[A930Rocket]

Thanks, Paul and Cajun. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

I like the idea of tracking what, how much and the results. I know over the years, I’ve tried multiple anxiety and sleep aids, but haven’t kept track of what I’ve taken or the results.

I don’t know if it’s the lorazepam or the doxepin, but I’m tired during the day and can take a two hour nap, and still be tired. I used to take Quetiapine and melatonin on top of the above, but stopped, trying to cut back on meds.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

OK, I’ve ordered the essential oils and diffuser. It should be here tomorrow and I will see how it goes….

Thinking about the gummies also. Is the CBD or THC preferred? Any concerns with THC gummies work, driving, etc the next day? Anybody have a preferred vendor?

I really like the Camino sleep gummies by Kiva. I've tried others but they all seem too strong. Folks at the dispensaries say you can cut them in half. Main thing on THC gummies, you want Indica. As far as driving, I've never felt uncomfortable driving but I only take the lowest mg I can find.

[GH85Carrera]

I take no sleep aids, just a few prescription medicines that are not sleep inducing. I don't drink but two beers at dinner time, and no more liquids after 7:00 PM. I will eat a banana or apple about 8:00 but that is all.

When we first got married 34 years ago, my wife was astonished in that when it was time to go to sleep, I was out like a light, and and slept until the alarm went off, and I literately bounded out of bed, bright eyed and bushy tailed before she had time to shut off the alarm. I learned to not to even attempt to talk to her until she had finished showering, and getting dressed and eaten her breakfast. I still wake up instantly from the alarm and I am fully awake and ready to go.

Now as a geezer, I still fall asleep within a few minutes, but I regularly have to get up to pee about 4:00 AM. On occasion I can pull an "all nighter" and sleep until the alarm goes off.

When I get back in bed after visiting the bathroom, I sometime struggle to get back to sleep. So i figured out some mental rules.

#1 never think about work, or paying bills, or maintenance or real world relationships or any of reality of life. No planning anything in the real world is allowed.

#2 We all have had dreams that are bizarre and are pure fantasy and make no real sense in the real world. Go for that as your dream world. There are no rules of physics that apply in the dream world. Make up your own dream world that you like. In the fantasy world, have the ability to read the minds of animals, and figure out their reasons for their bad behaviors, and have the ability to correct them. Change dogs with separation issues to relax and feel fine that their human is coming back to be with them. Be able to learn their aches and know they have a tooth ache or a painful foot. Hey, it is your dream world, make it up as you go, and soon you will fall asleep.

I would suggest avoiding a sexual fantasy as that wakes up other body parts and may cause other physical issues.

Make up a interesting dream world, and you are in 100% control. If you start down a path you don't like, just start over and just have fun. My brain soon learned to have enjoyable dreams. My wife says I am an extraterrestrial alien as I have many times awakened giggling from a funny dream.

[Bill Douglas]

Last night after dinner I went into a feeding frenzy on sweets. I think the sugars converted into energy (excess energy) and made me wake up too early.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Thinking about the gummies also. Is the CBD or THC preferred? Any concerns with THC gummies work, driving, etc the next day? Anybody have a preferred vendor?

THC + CBN. About 5 to 1 ratio. CBN is a calming agent. I live in Ohio, where you can get it at dispensaries. Laws vary by state, but it is officially illegal federally, so you can’t ship the good stuff across state lines.