Drez wrote:
"In that article what does he mean when he says " put him on the appropriate adrenal protocols (as many of these symptoms also overlap with those of adrenal insufficiency) and started him on a supplement of organic maca, a Peruvian herb that we use to help balance testosterone." What does a proper adrenal support program mean? And has anyone used that organic maca herb???

Drez, I don't know the answer to your question, he's fairly vague about his protocol for adrenal issues. "

The reason I asked about your average nightly sleep, is because I've been logging mine. I'll sleep 8 hours one night but that's invariably followed by a 2 or 3 hour night. It's never the same 2 nights in a row for me. I feel like I'm CURED after a good night of sleep only to have my hopes quashed the next night. My average is about 6.5 hrs. What I'm starting to do is restrict my time in bed to the avg # of hours I sleep. It's really hard and requires discipline to change that habit of lying in bed awake, trying to sleep. I'm not there yet but working on it. Some say sleep restriction therapy is bad, but for me it seems to make sense. I'd feel better if I slept that 6.5 hours every night than having it be so inconsistent. You can Google it to find out if it may work for you.

BJD, I think you should take the sleep when you can get it. The variances with you could just be related to the cycles of your body with the bacteria in it.

It would be better to get up and do something boring than to just lie there trying to sleep, or try self-hypnosis. But if your forced sleep restriction works, and your body can thrive on reduced hours, there are many people who don't need 8 hours.

BJD, I think we all just try and see if it works. That's all we can do.

I totally believe in sleep hygiene and repetition. I have taken care of enough babies to know that routine is how you get them to bed more easily. A routine is comforting and calming.

And most of us are just big babies. LOL!

Drez,

I use Maca. I put the powder into my smoothie. Below is an excerpt from a piece I wrote on Maca a few years ago. I also use Wobyzyme PS and swear it helps with inflammation. I think you also need to add magnesium powder to your supplements and spray magnesium oil on your arms/legs before bed.

I drink bedtime tea, put anxiety soother or valerian tincture into tea, do epsom salt bath and don't watch any TV at night. Sleep is so important - hope it helps!

Maca comes from a South American plant akin to a cruciferous vegetable. It is from the mustard family and related to turnips and radishes. Maca is known as Peruvian ginseng.

Organically grown maca root is considered by top researchers to be a true ADAPTOGEN, this means it goes to where it is needed in the body. Maca root helps relieve stress, strengthen your immune system, re-mineralize poorly nourished bodies, and increase energy and endurance. It has been studied in mice to increase fertility, strengthen the uterus and the ovaries, and to be one of the BEST relievers of pms, peri-menopause, and menopausal symptoms. Maca is so powerful that is can be used as a safe alternative to hormone replacement therapies. It relieves thyroid imbalances, adrenal, cortisol imbalances, insomnia and depression! As you can see this herb gets to work on our very delicate female chemistry. As an adaptogen men can use it too.