Mood Change Medicine
Sleep
Are Tryptophan Supplements Effective for Insomnia?
Given that dietary tryptophan play such a pivotal role in sleep, it might make sense that taking tryptophan supplements should improve sleep. But it’s just not as simple as popping a pill. Continue reading
Tryptophan and Its Alternatives for Depression, Anxiety & Sleep
Tryptophan plays a pivotal role in the gut-brain axis, a two-way biochemical conversation between our brains and bellies that helps determine the production of melatonin and serotonin, key brain chemicals that affect sleep and mood. Optimizing the biology of mood and sleep includes optimizing factors that impact tryptophan nutrition. Continue reading
Are cannabinoids effective for sleep?
Certain cannabinoids might help people with sleep problems, but the question is do the possible benefits outweigh the known risks? Continue reading
Cannabinoids: Anxiety, Depression & Sleep
Cannabinoids are naturally occurring constituents in the cannabis plant, also known as marijuana. There are over 100 types of cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant—delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two major cannabinoids. Research on the potential clinical uses of cannabinoids for anxiety, depression and insomnia is ongoing. Continue reading
Nutrition for Making the Most of Natural Melatonin
The most potent way to get the sleep-promoting benefits of melatonin is to not to buy it off a store shelf. Natural melatonin is made in the body from food. All melatonin production is driven by key dietary nutrients, especially tryptophan found in foods like turkey, eggs and bananas. Continue reading
Some Side Effects & Adverse Effects of Melatonin
Incorrect use of melatonin can cause irregular sleep-wake cycles. Melatonin has been linked to increased risk of fractures. It can impair balance, increasing risk of falls. No difference was found in the incidence of long-term side effects between melatonin and inert placebo, studies showed. High doses might worsen depression. Continue reading
Risks Associated with Purity & Potency of Melatonin Supplements
Some studies have found lot-to-lot variability of 465%, with some supplements containing five to six times more melatonin than that listed on the label. Some supplements contained no melatonin and others were contaminated with the dangerous melatonin precursor, serotonin. Rarely, melatonin in supplements comes from the brains of animals. Continue reading
Melatonin: Some Drug interactions & Precautions
Here’s a list of some of the drugs and supplements with which melatonin may interact. It is not an exhaustive list. There are also precautions including not taking melatonin before driving. Continue reading
Short-term Melatonin Supplements Seem Safer than Pharmaceuticals
Unlike some of the pharmaceutical sleep meds, melatonin has no black-box warnings about serious side-effects such as sleep driving or an association with an increase in all-cause-mortality. And melatonin does not cause withdrawal symptoms like rebound insomnia, a common characteristic of the most frequently prescribed sleep drugs. Continue reading
Who Benefits Most from Melatonin Supplements?
Melatonin supplementation can provide meaningful benefits for individuals with lowered natural melatonin levels such as night workers and the elderly. It is also beneficial for treating delayed sleep phase—shifting the sleep clock of night owls. Continue reading
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