Sleep Solutions: Herbal, Therapy, Psychedelics, and More

Sleep is a vital part of one’s overall health. It allows the body to recover from physical and mental exhaustion and, as such, should not be overlooked. Research shows that about 35% of Canada’s population is losing sleep due to the pandemic. Loss of sleep affects a person’s health and performance—it slows down your cognitive functions, making you feel and act sluggish throughout the day.

To help, below are a couple of sleep solutions you can practice.

Herbal Solutions

Sleep-promoting supplements can assist a person get a sufficient amount of sleep. For example, melatonin supplements aid in this problem by reducing the amount of time a person falls asleep and improving sleep duration. This is because melatonin is a naturally-produced hormone in the body that prompts the brain to rest.

Similarly, chamomile is a popular sleep-inducing herb that is also known to relieve stress. Consuming chamomile in the form of tea is not only beneficial for sleep but for overall health as it has anti-inflammatory properties as well.

Exercise

Physical activity promotes tiredness, which can help you sleep faster and more deeply. Additionally, it promotes mood stabilization and mind decompression.

Although exercising may seem intimidating, there are many forms of exercise that can cater to peoples’ preferences such as pilates and, more frequently, yoga. In fact, one of the main reasons people start yoga is because of its ability to improve sleep quality in as little as eight weeks. Published research even shows that it helps people wake up on time.

Proper Diet

Diet and food intake are also elements that can affect a person’s sleep cycle. For instance, frequent caffeine intake keeps you awake, which is bad for sleep cycles. High protein foods such as chicken take longer to digest which can be a problem since digestion slows down during sleep.

Meanwhile, spicy food can not only cause heartburn but also trigger acid reflux, especially when lying down. It also makes body temperature rise which can be difficult for the body to adjust to since body temperature usually lowers during sleep.

Sleep Therapy

Sleep therapy targets sleep disorders and quality. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) is the most common type of sleep therapy which can help combat unhealthy sleep-related behaviors and replace them with healthy habits. Some techniques used in this particular form of therapy include improving a person’s sleep hygiene and sleep environment. You might be asked to remove potential distractions such as light and clocks to help, for example.

Psychedelics

Using psychedelics often leads to a feeling of peace and happiness, a deeper connection with other people, and even a greater understanding of the universe. Most importantly, however, these are also used in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, and depression. The effects of taking psychedelics can lead to relaxation and falling asleep.

Nowadays, psychedelics are available to consume in various forms. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is commonly sold on blotter paper which is then held under the tongue or swallowed. Mushrooms (psilocybin/psilocin) can be eaten as a whole or crushed, and they can also be brewed into teas. There's also mescaline, which grows on the exterior of a cactus, which can also be infused into tea or dried and ground into a powder that can be turned into a pill.

Compared to other aspects of a person’s vital needs, sleeping is one that is most often ignored which can potentially alter one’s overall health. Getting the proper amount of sleep along with building healthy sleeping habits allows better function and performance of the mind and body.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. TruHavn advises readers to always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Read More