Our January special… is too good to miss. Purchase two acupuncture treatments and get the third one for free! All three sessions must be used within the month of January.
Here’s Part Two… on the subject of insomnia. In last month’s newsletter, we learned about how magnesium deficiency can be a leading cause of insomnia, as well as the inability to relax. This time around, we will explore some herbal products and their ingredients, comparing the pros and cons. Personally, I’ve managed my own insomnia for as long as I can remember. I’ve heard that the most severe cases of insomnia can cause neurotransmitter hormone reactions that result in feeling like little bugs crawling on the skin and biting while the person is slowly going mad. Remember, poor quality sleep leads to higher cortisol levels, and higher cortisol levels diminish sleep quality, and cause adrenal fatigue and imbalance. As you explore answers to the cause for your insomnia, look for anything that might be causing inflammation, including any possible food sensitivities.
It is important to rotate sleep supplements. The body can habituate to them rather quickly, and then they stop helping you sleep. You might be tempted to take larger doses, but you should be prepared to utilize a variety of strategies instead. On occasion, you should also try to get through a night without any sleep aids. By now, many people have heard about tryptophan. 5-HTP Tryptophan is an amino acid that converts serotonin to melatonin.
Melatonin is the main hormone that builds up in the brain all day until we feel sleepy. Over time, 5-HTP-Tryptophan can start having an inverse effect (i.e. a stimulating effect on the mind). While experimenting with different products, it is important to simultaneously try to get to the root of the problem. The following sleep aids that are in bold and underlined include a list of ingredients and their benefits.
Sleep Easy formula
B6 Pyridoxine HCL: 10 mg. B6 is an important component for amalgamation of GABA.
Magnesium citrate: 75 mg, for general muscle relaxation.
Hops extract (Humulus lupulus flower 4:1): 150 mg, it is a pain relieving anti-inflammatory.
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid): 150 mg. There are GABA receptors in the brain. GABA, along with other neurotransmitters plays a key role in the sleep cycle. It calms the central nervous system (CNS) by neutralizing the effects of glutamate. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter. Low levels of GABA are detected in people with bipolar and/or anxiety disorders (similar to magnesium). GABA helps to balance blood sugar, which helps the brain as well as adrenal health, so it helps the body recover from adrenal fatigue. People with chronic stress or depression seem to have less stabilized levels of GABA. Supplementation seems to have a positive effect on sleep.
Passion flower extract (aerials) (Passiflora spp 4:1): 100 mg natural herbal sedative
Phenibut- (4-amino-3-phenybutyric acid: 50 mg, phenibut = beta-gamma-aminobutyric acid. It is a derivative of GABA, a pioneer to GABA; it can cross the blood brain barrier. It is a GABA receptor agonist (helper) and has stabilizing properties. Phenibut with GABA on the receptors in the cerebrum restrains phenylethylamine, which is a neurotransmitter that induces the feeling of extreme excitement and anxiety. It does come with withdrawal side effects. Phenibut has been used in the Soviet Union for various things, like producing a calming effect and improving mental clarity, particularly in their astronauts. Called the “smart pill”, it is sometimes taken to relieve depression, anxiety, and PTSD. A tolerance for it can develop rapidly. The dosage has to be increased to maintain same effects, which can increase the chance of unwanted side effects. High doses (over 1000mg) can result in headaches, nausea, vomiting. Phenibut is structured similarly to GABA; it binds to the GABA sites in the brain with a sedative effect. If combined with alcohol, narcotic drugs or tranquilizers, their effect can be enhanced, which increases the risk of overdose.
Valerian (Valeriana sitchensis) (root): 50 mg (a clinically tested herbal sedative)
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan): 25 mg helps the body make melatonin.
Jujube extract (Ziziphus spp)(8:1): A fruit, 25 mg helps improve sleep, relieve constipation, sooths anxiety, regulates blood pressure, blood circulation, and increases bone strength. It is also rich in Vitamin C.
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) (4:1): An herb, 25 mg helps improve sleep, relieves anxiety and nervous tension, reduces fever, reduces allergy symptoms and skin infections, reduces inflammation, and reduces muscle spasms. You must stop taking it 2 weeks before a surgical procedure due to possible drug interactions, particularly with anesthesia that may be used in surgery; it may slow down the central nervous system.
Yuan Zhi extract (12:1): 25 mg. It’s a Chinese herb that is a root. Unfortunately, I was unable to find out any other information about it..
L-Theanine: 10 mg, a calming amino acid that is chemically similar to Phenibut. THIS contains the GABA derivative that easily crosses the BBB and acts as an enhancer for GABA. L-Theanine is extracted from tea leaves. The L means it is more effective at crossing the BBB and delivering its effects than GABA. Claims are made that it helps calm and relax, increases and improves focus and mood, boosts immunity, helps maintain healthy blood pressure, and can even offer sinusitis relief. It can also increase the efficacy of cancer treatment in fighting tumors. L-Theanine with caffeine improves focus, while it decreases the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections. L-Theanine can boost cilia movement in the nose (cilia are hair like strands that help mucus clear up). There are no known side effects in L-Theanine, but perhaps the polyphenol EGCG that is in green tea can reduce the efficacy of some chemotherapy drugs like Bortezomib. Use caution if undergoing chemotherapy.
Melatonin: 1mg
Tranquil Sleep Formula (chewable)
SunTheanine™: 200 mg, is a form of
L-Theanine, and is a calming amino that can help if you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep.
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP/Griffonia simplicifolia seed): 30 mg. See aforementioned explanation.
Phenibut: See above, under explanation for Sleep Easy Formula
Melatonin: 3mg, plus 3 grams sugar (organic cane sugar, xylitol, silica, natural fruit flavors of banana, pomegranate, pineapple, mango, passion fruit, peach), citric acid, magnesium stearate.
Kavinace and Kavinace Ultra PM
4-amino-3phenybutyric acid HCL and 5-hydroxytryptophan from Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract: 650 mg.
Melatonin: 3 mg,
Kavinace supports GABA with tryptophan to support serotonin. It promotes healthy levels of primary neurotransmitters and sleep hormones. Kavinace is the daytime formula for anxiety. For sleep, you’d take the Ultra formula. Good for people with elevated levels of glutamate and PEA, decreased levels of serotonin or melatonin, or elevated levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine. One pill helps me sleep a very solid 8-9 hours. I only use it 2X a week, not 2 days in a row. Side effects can include itchy eyes/mouth/back of neck, tachycardia upon taking the product, rapid breathing, and headache and/or dizziness. Some people have also reported that it made no difference and doesn’t do a thing. It can interact with many different medications and supplements and can build into dependency.
Here’s Part Two… on the subject of insomnia. In last month’s newsletter, we learned about how magnesium deficiency can be a leading cause of insomnia, as well as the inability to relax. This time around, we will explore some herbal products and their ingredients, comparing the pros and cons. Personally, I’ve managed my own insomnia for as long as I can remember. I’ve heard that the most severe cases of insomnia can cause neurotransmitter hormone reactions that result in feeling like little bugs crawling on the skin and biting while the person is slowly going mad. Remember, poor quality sleep leads to higher cortisol levels, and higher cortisol levels diminish sleep quality, and cause adrenal fatigue and imbalance. As you explore answers to the cause for your insomnia, look for anything that might be causing inflammation, including any possible food sensitivities.
It is important to rotate sleep supplements. The body can habituate to them rather quickly, and then they stop helping you sleep. You might be tempted to take larger doses, but you should be prepared to utilize a variety of strategies instead. On occasion, you should also try to get through a night without any sleep aids. By now, many people have heard about tryptophan. 5-HTP Tryptophan is an amino acid that converts serotonin to melatonin.
Melatonin is the main hormone that builds up in the brain all day until we feel sleepy. Over time, 5-HTP-Tryptophan can start having an inverse effect (i.e. a stimulating effect on the mind). While experimenting with different products, it is important to simultaneously try to get to the root of the problem. The following sleep aids that are in bold and underlined include a list of ingredients and their benefits.
Sleep Easy formula
B6 Pyridoxine HCL: 10 mg. B6 is an important component for amalgamation of GABA.
Magnesium citrate: 75 mg, for general muscle relaxation.
Hops extract (Humulus lupulus flower 4:1): 150 mg, it is a pain relieving anti-inflammatory.
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid): 150 mg. There are GABA receptors in the brain. GABA, along with other neurotransmitters plays a key role in the sleep cycle. It calms the central nervous system (CNS) by neutralizing the effects of glutamate. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter. Low levels of GABA are detected in people with bipolar and/or anxiety disorders (similar to magnesium). GABA helps to balance blood sugar, which helps the brain as well as adrenal health, so it helps the body recover from adrenal fatigue. People with chronic stress or depression seem to have less stabilized levels of GABA. Supplementation seems to have a positive effect on sleep.
Passion flower extract (aerials) (Passiflora spp 4:1): 100 mg natural herbal sedative
Phenibut- (4-amino-3-phenybutyric acid: 50 mg, phenibut = beta-gamma-aminobutyric acid. It is a derivative of GABA, a pioneer to GABA; it can cross the blood brain barrier. It is a GABA receptor agonist (helper) and has stabilizing properties. Phenibut with GABA on the receptors in the cerebrum restrains phenylethylamine, which is a neurotransmitter that induces the feeling of extreme excitement and anxiety. It does come with withdrawal side effects. Phenibut has been used in the Soviet Union for various things, like producing a calming effect and improving mental clarity, particularly in their astronauts. Called the “smart pill”, it is sometimes taken to relieve depression, anxiety, and PTSD. A tolerance for it can develop rapidly. The dosage has to be increased to maintain same effects, which can increase the chance of unwanted side effects. High doses (over 1000mg) can result in headaches, nausea, vomiting. Phenibut is structured similarly to GABA; it binds to the GABA sites in the brain with a sedative effect. If combined with alcohol, narcotic drugs or tranquilizers, their effect can be enhanced, which increases the risk of overdose.
Valerian (Valeriana sitchensis) (root): 50 mg (a clinically tested herbal sedative)
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan): 25 mg helps the body make melatonin.
Jujube extract (Ziziphus spp)(8:1): A fruit, 25 mg helps improve sleep, relieve constipation, sooths anxiety, regulates blood pressure, blood circulation, and increases bone strength. It is also rich in Vitamin C.
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) (4:1): An herb, 25 mg helps improve sleep, relieves anxiety and nervous tension, reduces fever, reduces allergy symptoms and skin infections, reduces inflammation, and reduces muscle spasms. You must stop taking it 2 weeks before a surgical procedure due to possible drug interactions, particularly with anesthesia that may be used in surgery; it may slow down the central nervous system.
Yuan Zhi extract (12:1): 25 mg. It’s a Chinese herb that is a root. Unfortunately, I was unable to find out any other information about it..
L-Theanine: 10 mg, a calming amino acid that is chemically similar to Phenibut. THIS contains the GABA derivative that easily crosses the BBB and acts as an enhancer for GABA. L-Theanine is extracted from tea leaves. The L means it is more effective at crossing the BBB and delivering its effects than GABA. Claims are made that it helps calm and relax, increases and improves focus and mood, boosts immunity, helps maintain healthy blood pressure, and can even offer sinusitis relief. It can also increase the efficacy of cancer treatment in fighting tumors. L-Theanine with caffeine improves focus, while it decreases the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections. L-Theanine can boost cilia movement in the nose (cilia are hair like strands that help mucus clear up). There are no known side effects in L-Theanine, but perhaps the polyphenol EGCG that is in green tea can reduce the efficacy of some chemotherapy drugs like Bortezomib. Use caution if undergoing chemotherapy.
Melatonin: 1mg
Tranquil Sleep Formula (chewable)
SunTheanine™: 200 mg, is a form of
L-Theanine, and is a calming amino that can help if you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep.
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP/Griffonia simplicifolia seed): 30 mg. See aforementioned explanation.
Phenibut: See above, under explanation for Sleep Easy Formula
Melatonin: 3mg, plus 3 grams sugar (organic cane sugar, xylitol, silica, natural fruit flavors of banana, pomegranate, pineapple, mango, passion fruit, peach), citric acid, magnesium stearate.
Kavinace and Kavinace Ultra PM
4-amino-3phenybutyric acid HCL and 5-hydroxytryptophan from Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract: 650 mg.
Melatonin: 3 mg,
Kavinace supports GABA with tryptophan to support serotonin. It promotes healthy levels of primary neurotransmitters and sleep hormones. Kavinace is the daytime formula for anxiety. For sleep, you’d take the Ultra formula. Good for people with elevated levels of glutamate and PEA, decreased levels of serotonin or melatonin, or elevated levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine. One pill helps me sleep a very solid 8-9 hours. I only use it 2X a week, not 2 days in a row. Side effects can include itchy eyes/mouth/back of neck, tachycardia upon taking the product, rapid breathing, and headache and/or dizziness. Some people have also reported that it made no difference and doesn’t do a thing. It can interact with many different medications and supplements and can build into dependency.
