I watch nature programs narrated by David Attenborough when I need to get to sleep.
There is something strangely calming about observing nature.
The brain functional connectome is robustly altered by lack of sleep
61–70 of 74 posts
Re: The brain functional connectome is robustly altered by lack of sleep
#62I have had sleep issues for many years. I have seen sleep specialists regarding this issue. They basically tell you to reduce stress. But my daily life is not particularly stressful. But my job as a software developer involves brain-intensive work, and when I come home after work, I work on hobby software development projects, which means my brain is working intensely whenever I am awake. That may be the stress leadi…
If Magnesium doesn't work for you, you may also consider trying a Melatonin[1] supplement about an hour or so before bed. I have also seen a big impact of turning off the electronics and reading a book[2] in bed for the last hour or so of the day before trying to go to sleep. Lastly, if you are a loud snorer or carrying more than a bit too much weight, you might want to investigate any sleep apnoea[3] issues. [1] htt…
Melatonin is great but it shouldn't be used long term (more than a couple months). I tried it longer than that and it wasn't good, weird constitutional symptoms.. Also says so on the packaging.
Re: The brain functional connectome is robustly altered by lack of sleep
#63I have had sleep issues for many years. I have seen sleep specialists regarding this issue. They basically tell you to reduce stress. But my daily life is not particularly stressful. But my job as a software developer involves brain-intensive work, and when I come home after work, I work on hobby software development projects, which means my brain is working intensely whenever I am awake. That may be the stress leadi…
You could also try meditation. It helps one to find a way to turn off the brain when it is not needed.
This. Meditation has improved my life in so many ways.
Re: The brain functional connectome is robustly altered by lack of sleep
#64I have had sleep issues for many years. I have seen sleep specialists regarding this issue. They basically tell you to reduce stress. But my daily life is not particularly stressful. But my job as a software developer involves brain-intensive work, and when I come home after work, I work on hobby software development projects, which means my brain is working intensely whenever I am awake. That may be the stress leadi…
It's just frustrations about things that keep me up, even if they are sort of latent, suppressed frustrations which I've deferred thinking about.
I think most of us have a lot of frustrations about various things, so to me that's the first thing I would look at regarding sleep issues. The guy getting exactly what he wants sleeps well.
More specifically, I'll have trouble falling asleep and then start thinking about what's not good in my life, and I'll often sit up then and there, crack open my laptop, and take some action to at least be closer to making the thing better (writing an email to get the ball rolling, or just reflecting about ways to interpret whatever the issue). I then usually feel more satisfied and can sleep, though I may lose an hour or two doing this.
My point is take a hard look at what isn't going as well in your life as you'd hope.
Re: The brain functional connectome is robustly altered by lack of sleep
#65I have had sleep issues for many years. I have seen sleep specialists regarding this issue. They basically tell you to reduce stress. But my daily life is not particularly stressful. But my job as a software developer involves brain-intensive work, and when I come home after work, I work on hobby software development projects, which means my brain is working intensely whenever I am awake. That may be the stress leadi…
I had a similar beneficial response from magnesium supplements. I've always had a constellation of health issues, probably genetic, and constant anxiety and was one of the most detrimental to just getting on in life, and later I had much trouble sleeping, either not being able to get to sleep or not sleeping for very long.
I researched nutrition and genetics for many years and tried a number of supplements based on testing hypotheses I would come up with. I generally used the Linus Pauling Foundation guidance on RDA as they are annotaed with a history of how RDAs came about, whether the official RDA is optimal or not, various caveats etc.
Magnesium had a profound effect after I researched bioavailability and tried some of the organic forms. The two main ones that worked were magnesium glycinate and citrate.
I've also went through a phase of having a strong beneficial effect from high dose vitamin B12 (methyl form), which initially caused what I felt was deeper sleep but also intense nightmares; this effect wore off after a while and that might be due to correction of a deficiency.
Re: The brain functional connectome is robustly altered by lack of sleep
#66I have had sleep issues for many years. I have seen sleep specialists regarding this issue. They basically tell you to reduce stress. But my daily life is not particularly stressful. But my job as a software developer involves brain-intensive work, and when I come home after work, I work on hobby software development projects, which means my brain is working intensely whenever I am awake. That may be the stress leadi…
It's just frustrations about things that keep me up, even if they are sort of latent, suppressed frustrations which I've deferred thinking about. I think most of us have a lot of frustrations about various things, so to me that's the first thing I would look at regarding sleep issues. The guy getting exactly what he wants sleeps well. More specifically, I'll have trouble falling asleep and then start thinking about w…
I suffered from the same problem for years. I am now finally able to fall asleep in a few minutes. It's hard to explain but I let my mind unguided and coming with images and thoughts like I am already dreaming. Focused thinking completely wake up my brain (the worse being math operations)
Re: The brain functional connectome is robustly altered by lack of sleep
#67Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's just frustrations about things that keep me up, even if they are sort of latent, suppressed frustrations which I've deferred thinking about. I think most of us have a lot of frustrations about various things, so to me that's the first thing I would look at regarding sleep issues. The guy getting exactly what he wants sleeps well. More specifically, I'll have trouble falling asleep and then start thinking about w…
I suffered from the same problem for years. I am now finally able to fall asleep in a few minutes. It's hard to explain but I let my mind unguided and coming with images and thoughts like I am already dreaming. Focused thinking completely wake up my brain (the worse being math operations)
And physical activity of course, being physically tired definitely helps
Re: The brain functional connectome is robustly altered by lack of sleep
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
Do you ingest the daily recommended amount of magnesium? I'm not a medical doctor, so ask one ... but high magnesium levels apparently can lead to arrhythmias (they can also treat them in the right context and dosage). So just a word of caution.
> but high magnesium levels apparently can lead to arrhythmias Not true. It is low levels of magnesium that can cause heart disease. See: http://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleid=1121693
I'm afraid the body is not that simple. Both too little and too much mess with the heart:
> Magnesium is also cardiotoxic and, in high concentrations, can cause bradycardia [#]. Occasionally, complete heart block and cardiac arrest may occur at levels greater than 7 mmol/L. [0]
[0] http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/246489-overview#a4
[#] a type of arrythmia
Re: The brain functional connectome is robustly altered by lack of sleep
#69Earlier quoted context omitted.
What sleep issues did you have exactly? There are many, and magnesium supplementation may not be suitable for all. Thanks in advance.
Some days I wake up after only a couple of hours of sleep. Other days my brain simply won't turn off. I try to sleep, but the brain simply won't stop thinking random stuff and staying awake.
Do you get enough exercise? The kind of exhaustion you get from spending all day and night programming doesn't make you tired in the right way like physical work does.
Watch out for the blue light coming from the screens, too.
Re: The brain functional connectome is robustly altered by lack of sleep
#70Earlier quoted context omitted.
If Magnesium doesn't work for you, you may also consider trying a Melatonin[1] supplement about an hour or so before bed. I have also seen a big impact of turning off the electronics and reading a book[2] in bed for the last hour or so of the day before trying to go to sleep. Lastly, if you are a loud snorer or carrying more than a bit too much weight, you might want to investigate any sleep apnoea[3] issues. [1] htt…
Melatonin is great but it shouldn't be used long term (more than a couple months). I tried it longer than that and it wasn't good, weird constitutional symptoms.. Also says so on the packaging.
I bet you took too much of it. I know it comes in 3mg-ish sizes but the correct dosage would be about 500mcg.