About 42 million sleeping pill prescriptions were filled in 2005, according to the research company IMS Health, up nearly 60 percent since 2000. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), almost six out of ten Americans report having insomnia at least a few nights weekly. Insomnia is defined as an “inability to fall asleep or remain asleep long enough to feel rested, especially when the problem continues over time.”[1]
In September of 2010 the New York Times reported that, “People with chronic pain who took just a puff of marijuana three times a day got some mild pain relief and, with rare exceptions, did so without getting high, a Canadian study reports. (Yes, they inhaled.) The patients, who suffered from persistent nerve damage that did not respond to other pain drugs, also reported better sleep and less anxiety, the researchers said.” One can now get CBD, which is medical marijuana without the THC, meaning even if you take a lot of it you will not get high.
According to the National Sleep Foundation approximately 70 million people in the United States are affected with sleeping disorders. Approximately 12 million Americans have restless legs syndrome, (a sleep and movement disorder characterized by unpleasant tingling, crawling, creeping and/or pulling) feelings in the legs, which cause an urge to move in order to relieve the symptoms.
Magnesium supplementation is usually helpful for relieving
restless leg syndrome (RLS) and for treating insomnia.
In another chapter we quoted a patient with PTSD who takes marijuana and she now shuns the array of medicines and sleeping pills she took because of the side effects. “If you take sleeping pills, you will bring yourself into sleep mode, you will succeed in getting yourself into bed and shutting off the light, but in the morning you are not the same person. You don’t function. The quantity of pills I need in order to fall asleep will turn me into a zombie the next day. My brain is erased; people speak to me but I don’t function. How can you live like that? How can you work like that, study, go out of the house, communicate with people?”
Lack of sleep is a health concern because it can cause attention and memory problems, depressed mood and body chemistry changes that foster heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. As many as 47 million adults may be putting themselves at risk for injury, health and behavior problems because they aren’t meeting their minimum sleep need in order to be fully alert the next day. Sleep deprivation and sleep disorders are estimated to cost Americans over $100 billion annually.
In an effort to combat this, as many as 25% of the people in the United States use medications to help them sleep. More than half of all people aged 65 years and older have sleep problems. Yet, scientists have proven that poor sleep is not a natural part of aging.
The newest generation of sleep aids causes strange side effects including sleepwalking and short-term amnesia. Ambien, the nation’s best-selling prescription sleeping pill, shows up with regularity as a factor in traffic arrests, sometimes involving drivers who later say they were sleep-driving and have no memory of taking the wheel after taking the drug. Steven Wells quit using the drug Ambien after becoming concerned about several episodes in which he woke up to find he had messily raided the refrigerator and after an incident in which he tore a towel rack out of a wall.
The problem is that pharmaceutical sleep aids do not resolve the underlying cause of the problem, plus they stay in the bloodstream, resulting in a hangover the next day along with impaired memory and performance on the job or at home. More than half of all people aged 65 years and older have sleep problems.[2] Yet, scientists have proven that poor sleep is not a natural part of aging. A risk factor for low magnesium status in older women is the use of calcium supplements without sufficient magnesium for bone health. High calcium intakes can make magnesium deficiency worse.
We find none of these side effects when taking magnesium to help one relax and sleep. Animals placed on magnesium-deficient diets will commonly develop disorganized sleep and periods of wakefulness.[3] Sleep problems occur more frequently in adults as they age, making it increasingly difficult to deal with stress. Magnesium supplementation partially reverses age-related sleep abnormalities.[4] Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a major role in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Magnesium allows the muscles to relax, providing a calming effect that allows for deeper relaxation and better sleep.
Magnesium Deficiency and Sleep Disturbance.
Animals placed on magnesium deficient diets will commonly develop disorganized sleep and periods of wakefulness and so will humans. Magnesium is one of the root causes of sleep disturbances. Magnesium supplementation partially reverses age-related sleep abnormalities. Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a major role in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Magnesium allows the muscles to relax providing a calming effect that allows for deeper relaxation and better sleep.
Insomnia is one of the central, or neurotic, symptoms of chronic magnesium deficiency. A number of parasomnias (night terrors, nocturnal verbal and motor automatisms, restless leg syndrome) are highly correlated to magnesium deficiency. When we lose magnesium we lose sleep and then we lose our balance emotionally and then depression or even hyperactivity can set in.
According to a 2008 survey[5] of 1137 employed U.S. adults, most Americans are losing sleep over news of a declining economy, increased cost of food and energy, rising unemployment, mortgage foreclosures and plunging home values. The study said 9 of 10 respondents were losing sleep over economic turmoil. The vicious cycle of economic stress, lack of sleep, diminished immunity and magnesium depletion is fully evident in the medical literature and the problem is getting worse as the stress mounts and magnesium deficiencies continue to deepen.
Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system and is considered the “anti-stress” mineral and a natural tranquilizer. In the elderly, magnesium supplements were found to improve sleep by decreasing the release of cortisol, a known cause of sleep disruption. Stress depletes magnesium and magnesium relieves stress.
When we are under stress our
need for magnesium skyrockets.
Chronic mental or physical stress serves as a trigger for heart attack or stroke. A study of college students, sleep deprived while studying for final exams, found that stress cut the concentration of magnesium in red blood cells in half and impaired the ability of blood vessels to widen (dilate) to control blood pressure.[6] Lack of sleep can lead to chronic fatigue, which is associated with sudden-death heart attack. Chronically sleep-deprived adults commonly develop magnesium shortages, which are also associated with a tendency for blood cells to clot, which is what causes strokes and heart attacks.[7] Several studies show a lack of magnesium can alter electrical activity in the brain, causing agitated sleep and frequent awakenings.
Sleep disorders caused by magnesium deficiency are
usually agitated with frequent nocturnal awakenings.
Magnesium helps people fall asleep faster and stay asleep.
Insomnia is one of the central, or neurotic, symptoms of chronic magnesium deficiency. A number of parasomnias (night terrors; nocturnal verbal and motor automatisms; restless leg syndrome) are highly correlated to magnesium deficiency. When we lose magnesium we lose sleep and then we lose our balance emotionally and then even depression or even hyperactivity can set in.
Magnesium deficiency in children is characterized by excessive
fidgeting, anxious restlessness, psychomotor instability
and learning difficulties in the presence of normal IQ.
Dr. Mildred Seelig
People with poor quality sleep or sleep deprivation exhibit increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL6), the chemical that causes inflammation throughout the body. According to Dr. J. Durlach, the biological clock and magnesium status are linked, and a balanced magnesium status is important for the function of the mysterious pineal gland. Dr. Durlach[8] sees the psycholeptic sedative effects of darkness amplified by magnesium.
Take a Magnesium Bath Before Bed
Simply put, there is nothing like a hot soak in a magnesium chloride bath before bed. The only thing better is when you add sodium bicarbonate to the magnesium. Such soaks are heaven on earth for people who suffer from insomnia and the feelings of restlessness in the limbs. Instead of ingesting further chemical toxins in the form of pharmaceutical sleeping pills, which further deteriorate health, one bathes in a deep relaxing hot magnesium bath similar to what is available at some of the most famous spas around the world. Not only will you sleep better but your entire health will be elevated. All you have to do is pour in some magnesium chloride. Nothing could be simpler except that you should also put in a pound of sodium bicarbonate and some sodium thiosulfate (a few tablespoons), if there is any chlorine in your bath water.
For decades, statisticians have demonstrated that the majority of Americans do not get the government’s minimum daily requirement for magnesium and unfortunately we pay for it when it’s time to go to sleep.
Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system and is considered the “anti-stress” mineral and a natural tranquilizer. In the elderly, magnesium supplements were found to improve sleep by decreasing the release of cortisol, a known cause of sleep disruption. Stress depletes magnesium and magnesium relieves stress. When your magnesium levels are low, your nervous system gets out of balance and you feel on edge, naturally resulting in tightening muscles.
When we are under stress,
our need for magnesium skyrockets.
Chronic mental or physical stress serves as a trigger for heart attack or stroke. A study of college students who were sleep deprived while studying for final exams found that stress cut the concentration of magnesium in red blood cells in half and impaired the ability of blood vessels to widen (dilate) to control blood pressure.[9]Lack of sleep can lead to chronic fatigue, which is associated with sudden-death heart attack. Chronically sleep-deprived adults commonly develop magnesium shortages that are also associated with a tendency for blood cells to clot, which is what causes strokes and heart attacks.[10]Several studies show a lack of magnesium can alter electrical activity in the brain, causing agitated sleep and frequent awakenings.
Sleep disorders caused by magnesium deficiency are
usually agitated with frequent nocturnal awakenings.
Magnesium helps people fall asleep faster and stay asleep.
In a study by Dr. W. Davis, MD, 99% of his patients who used magnesium chloride had rapidly induced sleep that was uninterrupted. Dr. W. Davis used magnesium chloride as a means of combating insomnia. The researcher reported that sleep was induced rapidly, was uninterrupted, and that waking tiredness disappeared in 99% of the patients. In addition, anxiety and tension diminished during the day.[11]
Magnesium oil (chloride), when applied transdermally to the legs, is effective in relieving restless leg syndrome (RLS). Approximately 12 million Americans have restless leg syndrome, a sleep and movement disorder characterized by unpleasant (tingling, crawling, creeping and/or pulling) feelings in the legs, which cause an urge to move in order to relieve the symptoms, disrupting sleep.
Breathing Retraining Will Help You Sleep
Most do not know it but in reality we can use our breath as an ally in good health and sleep. Soviet and Russian MDs found the following relationship between automatic (or unconscious) breathing patterns (how you breathe during sleep), the morning results for the body-oxygen test and the quality and natural duration of sleep.
Respiratory Frequency |
Body oxygen |
Duration |
Quality |
>26 breaths/min |
<10 s |
Often >10 hours |
Often very poor |
15-26 breaths/min |
10-20 s |
Often >9 hours |
Often poor |
12-20 breaths/min |
20-40 s |
6-8 hours |
Insomnia possible |
7-12 breaths/min |
40-80 s |
4 hours |
Excellent |
5 breaths/min |
2 min |
3 hours |
Excellent |
3 breaths/min |
3 min |
2 hours |
Excellent |
How we breathe is serious business especially if one has cancer. The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine published a study on "Sleep-disordered Breathing and Cancer Mortality." Medical scientists already know that Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has been associated with total and cardiovascular mortality, but an association with cancer mortality had not been studied until now. Results from in vitro and animal studies suggest that intermittent hypoxia promotes cancer tumor growth. The new study suggests that baseline SDB is associated with increased cancer mortality.
If you’re struggling with sleep, waning vitality and health and for sure if you have cancer you will want to have a direct way to combat the downward spiral of faster and faster breathing. Expect to get fairly quick results if you train with the Breathslim breathing device, which was originally released in Russia for asthmatics. This simple device takes the place of your own personally yoga breathing teacher. With it you just cannot do it wrong and that makes all the difference in the world.
Breathslim users experience better sleep, improved energy throughout the day, and reduced food cravings. When used on a daily basis breathing retraining reduces chronic levels of stress, reduce the anxiety that accompanies that stress, and makes both going to sleep and staying asleep more likely.
Take a good look at the chart above. What this simple breathing device does is slow down your breath and when you take charge of breathing you are taking charge of your life. It really is impossible to not fall asleep if your breathing is slow. When used in the context of the rest of the Natural Allopathic Sleep Protocol you will experience dramatic results quickly. If however you use breathing retraining as your sole source of relief (and it goes without saying – you’ve got to use the device if you want results) allow 2-3 weeks of regular use for a fair test.
I recommend using Breathslim for anyone who is dealing with major stress or a disease such as cancer or diabetes and many others. (When you order a Breathslim use the code IMVA-0210 for a 10% discount.)
BioMats for Better Sleeping
Far infrared bedding is comfortable, warm and bathes your body in far infrared rays. Far infrared has been shown to improve circulation, enhance the immune system, improves the skin and will put you to sleep like nothing else will.
Everyone I know who has one loves BioMats and many people sleep on them every night. Most people can’t imagine life without them after they have one. Ninety-five percent of people experience pain reduction, relaxation, rejuvenation, and mental and emotional ease in just 15 minutes.
“I’ve been suffering from numerous ailments for many years. Some of my problems were sleeping and insomnia, sinus, tonsillitis, leg cramps, arthritis (especially a swollen right knee), and hair thinning. I was worried of going bald! Sometimes daily, I would suffer with severe headaches, coughing and right shoulder pain. Numerous times I visited specialty doctors and massage therapists. I ended up spending a lot of time and money, and I never got better.”
“One day a friend introduced me to the BioMat. After I lay down for about 30 minutes, my back pain was relieved. I have been using the BioMat for one good month now and all of my symptoms are alleviated. I have good sleep and my sinus problems are gone. My blood pressure is normal and my hair has stopped falling out also.”
Mila J.
Chicago, IL
A BioMat will put you to sleep faster than just about anything else. You can you sleep on them all night at low settings for deep relaxation, warmth and comfort, as you regenerate cellular energies all night. Instead of taking valuable time out of your day to do far infrared therapy you can make good use of sleep while promoting healthy relaxed sleeping patterns.
The Amethyst Bio Mat uses the healing and soothing abilities of Amethyst Crystals to help you get a deep night’s sleep. Even if you only get a few hours of sleep, you will feel rested, and ready for the day. Regular use of the Amethyst BioMat can provide long-lasting benefits.
The Amethyst BioMat is the only mat of its kind to combine Far Infrared Rays, Negative Ions, and Amethyst for a true mind, body, and spirit healing experience. The Amethyst BioMat is a unique innovation in bio technology containing 17 different layers and more than 28 lbs. of amethyst crystals, which naturally produce and are superconductors of Far Infrared Rays.The gentle warmth of the Amethyst Far Infrared BioMat gives an overall massaging effect, soothing jangled nerves and knotted muscles with natural healing, and cleansing of the body. You’ll feel rejuvenated and renewed, restored in body and mind after sleeping on one.
Dr. Nobuhiro Yoshimizu, who features utilizes the BioMat for cancer treatment says, “When cancer patients utilize these treatment options, they experience good quality sleep during the night. That is when natural immunity is most strengthened.” In Japan doctors know that one can cook cancer right out of a person’s body and this one can do with a BioMat.
A special application for sleeping on BioMats is for safe and effective pediatric medicine. Not only can adults take advantage of the BioMats healing and restive powers, children also, when they are asleep, can be put on the BioMat when they are sick. Last night my 9 year old daughter had a fever for a fourth day having relapsed after she seemed to be almost better. All four of my children came down with a fever and we were getting worried that for Julia we would have to give some antibiotics.
Julia was sleeping next to us tossing and turning and moaning last night. So we slid the BioMat under her and my wife gave her some Reiki and this morning the fever was broken. When one realizes how the BioMat works—healing and nurturing with light, ions and electrons—then you understand how useful this is for our children. It strengthens their immune systems enabling them to fight off the hordes of viruses that are becoming a plague if you believe the World Health Organization. Far infrared yields coherence to the water in every cell while directly adding energy and strength. Sounds perfect because it is!
The Wrong Way to Treat Insomnia
Merck & Co’s experimental insomnia drug suvorexant, which would be the first in a new class of sedatives that block chemicals in the brain called orexins that help keep people awake, moved close to FDA approval. The drug is designed to help people fall asleep and stay asleep. The FDA’s internal reviewers published a report expressing concern about suvorexant’s potential to cause next-day sleepiness and impaired driving. FDA staffers also pointed to an increase in the risk – especially at the higher doses – of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, impaired driving, and severe sleep disturbances.
Speaking for the FDA, Dr. Ronald Farkas noted cases in which patients had reported sleep paralysis and terrifying hallucinations. “Suvorexant’s marginal benefit in extending overnight sleep time by a few minutes is achieved at the expense of prolonged, next-day drowsiness, with potentially fatal consequences," said Dr. Sammy Almashat, a researcher with Public Citizen’s Health Research Group who noted that suvorexant stays in the body longer than all but one other sleep drug.
The FDA panel voted 13 to 3, with one abstention, that the drug could be used safely at the 15 and 20 milligram doses. It voted 8-7, with two abstentions, that the drug is not safe at 30 and 40 milligrams.
Merck can celebrate all it wants but the FDA is already concerned amid a broader review of the safety of sleeping pills following hundreds of reports of driving accidents involving people taking zolpidem, the active ingredient in Sanofi SA’s Ambien. About 60 million prescriptions for these drugs were written in the United States in 2011, according to healthcare research firm I.M.S. Of those, roughly 40 million contained zolpidem.
Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese healing system that mirrors very well what Christians consider ‘laying on of the hands.’ In my writings about the psychology of touch and therapeutic healing touch I consider Reiki as a pure form of touch. Healing and touch go together for some very good reasons that go right back to birth. Giving Reiki to a child or adult who is having sleep difficulties often brings miraculous results that should not be underestimated.
[3] Neuropsychobiology 27: 237–45, 1993
[4] Pharmacopsychiatry 35: 135–43, 2002
[5] ComPsych Corp-Reuters Oct. 27, 2008
[6] Clinical Cardiology 27: 223—27, 2004]
[7] Journal American College Nutrition13: 429—46, 1994
[9] Clinical Cardiology 27: 223–27, 2004
[10] Clinical Cardiology 20: 265–68, 1997
[11] W.H. Davis and F. Ziady, "The Role of Magnesium in Sleep", Montreal Symposium, 1976
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