What is Sleep?

Sleep is something we do throughout our entire lives, from the moment we are born until the moment we are finally laid to rest. In fact, during an average life span, a person spends the equivalent of 27 years asleep!

Sleep is such a natural tendency that most of us don’t give it much thought. When we do think about sleep, it’s usually because we haven’t gotten enough of it or because we feel the need to do it for longer than what would be considered ‘normal’.

As taken for granted as sleep is, it really is a controversial topic. There are countless differences of opinion as to why we sleep, how much sleep we should be getting each day, where we sleep, what makes the ideal sleep environment, why we don’t sleep enough and why we sleep too much.

The general consensus is that sleep is necessary otherwise we wouldn’t spend so much of our lives doing it. Most also agree that sleep is our way of giving our minds and our bodies a rest.

Conclusions from the earliest studies about sleep indicated that the body entered a state of near paralysis during which time little activity took place. This belief changed dramatically when studies began focusing on brain activity. The realization that brain activity did not stop during the sleep state but instead was highly active and organized and carried out several physiological processes is what we refer to today as REM or Rapid Eye Movement sleep.

Sleep seems to be the body’s way of recharging after a busy day. Some would argue that sleeping is a waste of time and that there are ways to train ourselves to get by with much less sleep.

Most of us can miss one night’s sleep and still function rather normally the next day. Doctors do it all the time. There may be an increase in irritability and perhaps some trouble staying focused, but overall, the body and the mind still function.

Beyond that though, there is a noticeable decline in the mind’s capabilities, specifically in the areas that control our language, our memories and our ability to plan. The symptoms that can develop are similar to the symptoms that develop after consuming excess amounts of alcohol including slowed reactions and impaired rationalization skills. At this point, an individual faces an increased risk of becoming involved in an accident.

A lack of sleep can cause problems properly regulating body temperature and can cause metabolism to increase. After several days of no sleep, hallucinations usually begin. So it does seem that we need to sleep.

Some of the popular theories about why we need sleep are:

Sleep is a restorative process.

Sleep enhances the brain’s ability to remember.

Sleep is a way to conserve energy.

Natural Sleep Aids

There are many instances in which behavioral and environmental changes aren’t effective at treating or curing insomnia by themselves. There are also times when insomnia sufferers simply don’t wish to try these other types of treatments and cures.

In December 2006, the FDA sent “WARNING” letters to manufacturers of products you may be taking for the treatment of sleep disorders. The FDA warned them to include shocking new side effects to be listed on all bottles of Ambien/Ambien CR, Butisol Sodium, Carbrital, Dalmane, Doral, Halcion, Lunesta, Placidyl, Prosom, Restoril, Rozerem, Seconal, and Sonata.

Are you currently taking any of these? If so, ask yourself why the FDA would suddenly want to add such shocking new warnings to these labels? The fact is, Drug Company’s don’t want you to know the dangers and that there are all natural solutions.

Are you currently taking any of these? If so, ask yourself why the FDA would suddenly want to add such shocking new warnings to these labels? The fact is, Drug Company’s don’t want you to know the dangers and that there are all natural solutions.

What natural ingredents should you look for in an “all natural” Sleep Aid?

If taken correctly all natural sleep aids can be taken as needed for insomnia and will not cause any problems with addiction. That’s good news especially since prescription sleep medications are the most common treatment for insomnia and can be highly addictive. Some of these prescription medications can high very serious side effects also.

Melatonin supplements are sleep aids that can help in dealing with insomnia. Melatonin is a naturally-occurring hormone the body produces as day turns into night. Melatonin helps the body prepare for sleep by lowering body temperature and triggering other changes inside the body.

Here is a list of natural ingredients that you would want in an all natural sleep aid.

*Melatonin: Melatonin is a natural hormone produced in the pineal gland in the brain. This hormone is released once the brain registers a decrease in light. It is what sets our biological clock and tells our body it’s time to sleep. As you probably already know, melatonin by itself is not a very effective sleep remedy in many cases. Yes, melatonin is a key ingredient which is vital to the built-in “Sleep Clock” within you. But if you add a few other natural ingredients, including amino acids and plant derivatives, to melatonin, you allow the body to start the sleep cycle with a calming and relaxed state, which is critical to your sleep.

L-Theanine: Hundreds of studies show the calming effects of green tea, but what takes center stage is the amino acid L-Theanine. This amino acid directly stimulates the production of alpha brain waves which create a state of deep relaxation. Second it is involved in the formation of the inhibitory nuerotransmitter, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA- another one of our ingredients) GABA influences the levels of two other neurotramsitters, dopamine and serotonin, producing the key relaxtion effect.

*Valerian: Valerian was used in WWII to combat the stress of air raids. It is a all natural sedative used to treat insomnia and anxiety. In some studies it was demonstrated that valerian extracts interact with the GABA and benzodiazepine receptors, thus making it a perfect ingredient for our product.

*Gaba: Gamma-aminobutyric acid is the most important and abundant an inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the nervous system. It helps induce relaxation and sleep. It acts as a “balancer” for the brain where excitation of the brain is balanced with inhibition. In addition to this, GABA stimulates the anterior pituitary, leading to higher levels of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and if you didn’t know, HGH is very anabolic (muscle building) and lipotropic (fat preventing).

*Chamomile: Chamomilla has a wide range of actions. It is used in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety and nervous tension for our product.

How Much Sleep Do We Need?

The number of hours of sleep we need on a daily basis varies depending on our ages and our current state of health. If we expect the sleep we do get to be beneficial, those hours of sleep must consist of quality sleep. If you are getting the suggested amount of sleep each night but still feel groggy or irritable or you cannot concentrate, there’s a good chance you aren’t getting enough deep sleep.

Newborn babies need the most, which is why they spend the majority of their days swaddled up in dreamland. Typically, newborns will sleep about 4 hours, then get up for a feeding, then they’ll go right back to sleep for another few hours, then wake for a feeding or to get changed or to play. Then it’s back to sleep. During a 24-hour period, newborns spend between 14 and 16 hours sleeping.

It’s not until an infant gets to be between 3 to 6 months old that he or she can make it through an entire night without waking. Infants still spend a good part of their days asleep, sleeping between 10 – 14 hours.

Believe it or not, children and teen-agers really should be getting this amount of sleep as well. After taking into consideration a child’s or teen’s schooling and other activities, a solid 10 hours of sleep is sufficient for most. Interestingly, what has been perceived for years as laziness in teen-agers is turning out to be something more physiological. Studies are showing that more sleep seems to be necessary because of all the growth and hormonal changes taking place in a teen’s body.

Adults need the least amount of sleep, and should feel lucky (as well as refreshed) if they can get around 8 or 8 ½ hours of sleep each night. In some cultures, people reduce the number of hours they sleep during the nighttime by an hour or so and make up the difference by taking a midday nap. Either way, the sum still equals around 8 hours for adults.

Older adults need about the same amount of sleep each day as adults, around 8. Women who are pregnant should increase the amount of sleep they get by about 3 hours.

You’ll know you are getting enough sleep each day if you wake up feeling refreshed. If you find that you have trouble staying focused, or it takes only a few minutes to fall deep into sleep, or that you ‘nod off’ during the day, chances are you’re not getting enough sleep.

Sleep deprivation can have serious consequences. If you are driving, your reflexes may be slower, your eyes may stay closed longer when you blink and your chances of becoming involved in an accident increase. Consuming alcohol while sleep deprived is not advisable since alcohol compounds these problems. Judgment, impulses, reaction times, hand-eye coordination and attention spans can all become impaired when you are sleep deprived. Serious sleep deprivation can result in hallucinations and dependency on pharmaceutical sleep aid chemicals that you can’t get off of.

Circadian Rhythm, What is it?

When you feel the effects of jet lag, or when you feel tired after working a rotating shift during the week, what actually is happening is that your body’s circadian rhythm has been affected. The word circadian is derived from the Latin words circa diem which translated into English, means about a day. As far as the human body is concerned, one day refers to a 24-hour period.

Although most commonly associated with humans and their sleep patterns, circadian rhythm also has a direct influence on our blood pressure, our body temperature and our body’s production of hormones. Together these internal changes tell our bodies when it is time to sleep and to wake and how our moods will be at any given time.

Rhythm is a very big part of nature. For example, we know that the Earth completes a rotation every 24-hours and that year after year, the seasons change from winter to spring to summer to autumn and then back again to winter. Therefore, circadian rhythm plays a significant role in animals’ lives as well. The most notable example of an annual natural rhythm is the migration of countless species of birds every year.

When it comes to the sleep-wake cycle, there are two primary environmental forces at work: light and temperature. Circadian rhythm can also be affected by other stimuli such as the sound of your alarm clock and what and when you have eaten, and in women, their menstrual cycles.

Internally, circadian rhythm is influenced by an ‘internal clock’ located in the part of brain called the hypothalamus. Specifically, two large clusters of neurons situated on either side of the brain called the Suprachiasmatic nuclei or SCN is considered the body’s master clock. The SCN work with other genes to help the body keep track of time. The stimulation and/or release of different chemicals, hormones and neurotransmitters is how the body knows when it is time to fall asleep and to wake up, when it’s time to eat and when it’s time to have intercourse and more. Melatonin helps to reset the body’s internal sleep clock.

When it comes to sleep, the following is a simplistic overview of how the circadian rhythm works. At the first sign of daylight, the body begins to produce hormones and neurotransmitters including serotonin and cortisol. These help the body transition into an awakened mode by increasing body temperature and blood pressure. Likewise, as daylight fades, the body begins to release melatonin, the main signal that tells the body to begin lowering blood pressure and to prepare itself for sleep.

When the body’s circadian rhythm is in balance, it dictates the proper timing and release of these important chemicals, hormones and neurotransmitters. However, when the body’s circadian rhythm is ‘off’ this timing and release is knocked out of balance. A prolonged imbalance can and often does lead to the development of a number of sleep disorders and emotional disturbances. It would seem then that being healthy and happy is all about keeping your circadian rhythm in check.