Posted by JLx on September 21, 2003, at 8:53:58
In reply to Lar, Hormones/Excitotoxins/Amino acids, posted by McPac on September 21, 2003, at 0:18:53
Have you tried light therapy? I have a light visor, and found that sometimes it was the ONLY way I could get my sleep halfway regulated in the winter. Sometimes I thought it helped with depression too, sometimes not, but overall, at least some. (It's also possible that the light BOX might be better than the visor like I have.)
But now I am wondering if the "sometimes not" might have been because I was using it too late in the morning. I just read this page re that info: http://www.psycheducation.org/PCP/launch/light.htm
I took the questionnare of "lark" or "owl" he links to here: http://www.cet.org/AutoMEQ.htm
Very interesting. My results came out "intermediate", probably because I'm not working so I couldn't answer some of those questions pertaining to a work/weekend day very accurately. I've also been making a very conscious effort to go to bed early -- and using 5-HTP/melatonin to do so -- since I read a book about cortisol and how the time between ten p.m. and midnight is the most "golden" for lowering cortisol. I believe I can feel the difference too, when I manage to get to sleep that early.
One of the things I have experienced in middle age is a transition from being a definite nightowl (and never getting enough sleep when I had to get up early to get to work on time) to a morning person. This is convenient, and coincided with seeming to "need less sleep", so I thought it was a good thing. After reading "The Cortisol Connection" though, apparently it's simply due to increased cortisol all the time and an impairment in the optimal daily rhythm of how it should rise and fall relative to sleep. He flat out says that for optimal cortisol, everyone needs 8 hours sleep.
Something I haven't tried, but would if I had the money, is one of those special lights that wake you up gradually -- mimicking natural light. This, according to some people, also helps with winter blues. They cost about $200, or I also found a guy who makes just a regulator that you use with a normal lamp, that is supposed to do the same thing, that was $80. I have some links bookmarked about light boxes and these clocks, if you're interested.
poster:JLx
thread:261480
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20030903/msgs/262155.html