by Sean Croxton
You do not have an Ambien deficiency.
Insomnia can be one of the most frustrating things ever. So I can understand the temptation to turn to prescription sleeping meds to get some shuteye.
At the same time, I’m a firm believer in finding the root cause(s) of health challenges — insomnia included.
The problem is that most medical doctors don’t have the time — and maybe even lack the knowledge — to properly investigate the many possible reasons why their patients can’t sleep.
It could be blood sugar dysregulation, skewed hormones, neurotransmitter deficiencies due to faulty protein digestion, untreated infections, food sensitivities, poor diet, on and on.
Sleeping pills won’t solve any of the above. Eventually they become a crutch. You can’t sleep without them.
You’re essentially paying to sleep.
In my opinion, sleeping should be free.
Last night on Underground Wellness Radio, my friend and upcoming Real Food Con presenter Ameer Rosic stopped by to discuss the most common reasons for insomnia as well as what to do about it.
Click the player at the bottom of this post to listen to the entire episode.
Here are my notes!
4:02 – Why I dread reading in public.
5:05 – How Ameer went from hating his life to healing himself and helping others.
9:00 – The critical environmental cues affecting your sleep cycle.
10:27 – Why a high-carb meal before bed can leave you wide awake at bedtime or wake you up in the middle of the night.
11:49 – The first step to getting a good night’s sleep.
13:10 – B.A.B: Starting your day with a Big Ass Breakfast.
16:05 – There’s no reason you should need a snack before bed!
16:20 – How food sensitivities can impact your sleep…and what to do about it.
18:35 – An easy, FREE test that can identify your food sensitivities.
22:15 – Another live radio moment. Thanks, Shelley!
23:40 – How low stomach acid can cause a domino effect, leading to neurotransmitter issues and insomnia.
26:25 – How hidden, unresolved digestive problems — bacterial imbalances, parasitic infections, yeast overgrowths, mold exposure, et cetera — can disrupt your melatonin levels and sleep cycle.
29:25 – Why some people get a second wind of energy at night…and what it may have to do with parasites.
32:22 – You’re a product of your environment. Why parasites tend to come back when you have not addressed your environment and lifestyle.
33:41 – People need to get more sun!
35:35 – The importance of winding down at night, turning off the TV and computer, and turning the lights out.
38:20 – Make your room a Bat Cave! How using blackout curtains and sleeping masks turn up melatonin levels and improve sleep.
39:59 – The impact of caffeine consumption on sleep…and when to cut it off.
41:15 – The Sleep Diet: How getting the right amount of sleep promotes healthy hormones, appetite, carb cravings, and weight loss.
45:18 – Why taking melatonin long-term is a BIG no-no!
47:23 – A fantastic supplement for lowering bedtime cortisol levels. Plus, a cool trick to shock you into deeper sleep.
49:51 – Why magnesium is the bomb, how to test your levels, and the best supplemental forms of it.
53:32 – Facebook Q: Can I take L-theanine and not become dependent upon it?
54:52 – How low progesterone can create a racing mind before bed.
57:57 – Caller Q: I have neuropathy and wake up in the middle of the night. What can I do about it?
1:00:31 – Facebook Q: I gotta pee at night. Is that a problem? And will daytime naps disrupt my nighttime sleep?
1:03:28 – Facebook Q: My husband does shift work. What can he do to restore his sleep rhythm?
1:06:03 – Why Ameer’s Sleep Solution System ROCKS!
1:07:04 – A sneak peek at Ameer’s Real Food Con presentation. It’s a good one. 😉
Click the PLAY button below to listen to the entire show.
Links to Past Episodes Mentioned on this Show:
Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar, and Survival with T.S. Wiley
Ask T.S. Wiley!
Magnesium Deficiency with Morley Robbins
Testing and Program Links Mentioned in this Episode:
23 and Me Genetic Testing
Salivary Hormone Testing
Ameer’s Sleep Solution System
Tune in next Tuesday at 5pm PT/8pm ET for our next episode with Dr. Datis Kharazzian, author of Why Isn’t My Brain Working?
See you Friday. Got a new video for ya!
Sean
Author, The Dark Side of Fat Loss