As someone living with narcolepsy, I know a lot about managing my sleep. Going to bed at the same time, waking up at the same time, consistency, etc. there are a ton of things you can do to improve your quantity and quality of sleep.
That said, I know nearly nothing about *why* a lot of these things are required. To me, for example, it makes no sense that one would feel more rested if they woke up in the morning, versus the night, and yet that’s merely one stipulation to restful sleep; there are a lot more that seem like they don’t make sense.
What I would like to learn from this thread is what chemicals are used, how/why they are produced and consumed, and what can be done to “cure” narcolepsy (given said information about chemicals and whatnot).
In: Biology
Sleep is a very complex biological function and we as humans don’t perfectly understand it, but probably the most critical factor in its timing is hormones. The release of melatonin signals to your body that it’s time to recharge with sleep, and it makes you feel drowsy. Before we had enclosed houses, humans evolved so that the release of natural melatonin from your pineal gland is largely regulated by your exposure to light, namely sunlight. Hence, we get tired when it becomes nighttime.
Perhaps for your narcolepsy there is a drug that exists that inhibits the release of melatonin for the right amount of time to regulate your sleep cycle. I personally don’t have narcolepsy, but I’ve recently been experimenting with taking a CBD gummy with 3mg melatonin in it (before I’m even very tired), and I can usually manage to go to sleep 10 minutes later pretty easily, and once I make it to an hour post-gummy, my brain is sleeping whether I like it or not.
Latest Answers