Blog

1

1

If you ever experimented with Zeo and other sleep-monitoring devices, please share what worked best for increasing time in REM sleep.

Typical advice is avoiding caffeine. Tim Ferriss also suggests Huperzine-A. But I am very interested in other non-conventional yet effective methods.

PS Eating paleo is given. PPS No lights, no sounds, no interriptions, 8-10hrs minimum are given.

Thank you!

flag
How many hours of sleep do you get each day? – Eric Jan 15 2012 at 17:46

4 Answers

0

Most consistent advice I get on this is to get up the same time in the morning every day regardless of what time you went to sleep.

Has to be said, I struggle with sleeping through the night completely. My sleep is way better than in used to be, but I still wake up once a night to go to the bathroom most nights. It used to be 3-4 times.

http://primalpeter.com

@primalpeter

link|flag
1

The best "hack", outside of typical lifestyle factors (bed before midnight, low light, cold room, no ETOH/caffiene) that I have found is ZMA stacked with GABA. Keep in mind this is anecdotal, but comes from 17+ years as a shiftworker in search of quality sleep, and treating a plethora of clients in the same manner.

As far as REM sleep is concerned, I have read that zinc can play a role in this, but it's more likely a deficiency causes less REM sleep, and supra-physiological levels of supplementation would only normalize it, not enhance it.

So, potentialy:

Zn: May increase REM sleep. B6: Involved in the conversion of 5-HTP to 5HT (serotonin) Mg: a skeletal muscle relaxant.

GABA: Inhibitory neurotransmitter.

link|flag
Thank you very much! I am already using magnesium & potassium. And I do have substantial amount of zinc & B6 in my multi. Do you think that GABA significantly changes things? In other words, have you tried the same combination without GABA? Were results different? Thanks again! – John Jan 15 2012 at 16:32
I've found GABA excellent for folks with " a racing mind"...as in, your thoughts and stress prevent sleep. Nora Gedgaudas, author of "Primal Body/Primal Mind" has a great section in the second half of book dealing with this. While studies have shown that supplemental GABA isn't supposed to cross the blood brain barrier, it seems to work extremely well for sleep disorders. There's lots of different dosing regimes---if you choose this route, start small, and use the lowest dose with the highest efficacy. I personally use 750-1500mg. – Mike Jan 15 2012 at 16:44
0

ZMA seems to help me

link|flag
Is it just a feeling or have you actually quantified the actual amount of REM sleep? Thanks! – John Jan 15 2012 at 16:16
1

I take 400-600 mg Magnesium Citrate one hour before sleep & have lots of vivid dreaming throughout the night. I go to sleep when I am tired and often sleep 9 hours.

link|flag
Have you tried to actually quantify the actual amount of REM sleep? Thanks! – John Jan 15 2012 at 16:16
No. But I wake up remembering 5-6 dreams most nights (I used to do a lot of lucid dreaming practice.) and I feel well-rested in the morning. – Dragonfly Jan 15 2012 at 19:32

Your Answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.