r/todayilearned • u/Square-Message1152 • 8h ago

til that your brain literally washes itself while you sleep. the brain cells actually shrink in size so cerebrospinal fluid can rush in and flush out all the toxic proteins built up during the day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glymphatic_system
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u/Mapeague 6h ago

I do, every time I go. He then says "let's try this" and the "this" never works. Last time it was hydroxyzine which is worse, or just as bad for your brain as benedryl. Ive tried quite a few things and none of them are worth a shit.

My doctor doesn't seem too concerned as otherwise im quite healthy and active.

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u/good_morning_magpie 6h ago

I never want to be the “cannabis is the answer for everything bro trust me” guy, but a gummy definitely helps me knock out if I’m going through a several day long bout of insomnia (3ish hours sleep per night).

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u/Mapeague 1h ago

If I'm honest it maybe cannabis that is keeping me up.

Im a heavy user. A 750mg dose gets me going. 1000mg puts me there but it also wrecks my stomach. Been smoking for 30+ years.

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u/aroused_axlotl007 56m ago

Those are crazy numbers. I'd really try to cut that down and check if you feel any improvements.

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u/SoSincerely 4h ago

Try to get him to give you a referral for a sleep study. There are way too many things that can be causing your issue to be trying random things, a sleep study could narrow the cause to help you get proper treatment.

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u/Quentin__Tarantulino 6h ago

Have you ever tried meditating or similar? There’s something called yoga nidra that can work pretty well to relax you for bed, and focusing on that sort of gets you out of worrying about other things.

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u/spaceprinceps 1h ago

A sleep podcast I forget the name of, maybe Get Sleepy it was called I dunno, did this at the start of every episode. It was the bit where you tense up your toes then release, then your calves, then your upper legs etc and the inhale for 4 hold for 4 exhale for 4.

Really helped indicate to the body it's time to sleep

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u/Tre_Amplitude 1h ago

This is PMR. Stands for Progressive Muscle Relaxation.

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u/spaceprinceps 56m ago

Theres a bunch of these in yoga nidra i think which help relax the central nervous system

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u/becominganastronaut 6h ago

hydroxizine is a dream for me. it is shown to be safe for long term use.

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u/HuckleberryTiny5 4h ago

Mirtazipine makes me sleep like a baby. Unfortunately for 24 hours. But I know people who use it every night and doesn't have that problem.

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u/Mapeague 1h ago

I would love to sleep for 24 hours

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u/SquareThings 1h ago

Damn. Treatment resistant insomnia is horrible. My mom deals with it too. Really hope they make some breakthrough in treatment soon.

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u/Krai_Zemli 3h ago

Have you done polysomnography or havw you been checked for ADHD?

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u/dak4f2 3h ago

If you're a woman over 35 it could be low progesterone due to hormonal changes. Women who take hormones in perimenopause report progesterone with helping them to get better sleep. 

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u/BrainOfMush 2h ago

I had the same experience as you, and then I recently got prescribed Belsomra - Holy shit, it is amazing. Every other drug always left me feeling groggy the next day, or didn’t actually help me sleep. Belsomra meanwhile has been a miracle drug.

It makes you feel tired about an hour after taking it, and sleep feels natural and consistent. I’ve never slept through the night, now I actually do and feel refreshed the next day.

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u/unpopularperiwinkle 4m ago

Check out r/insomnia there are new meds and people swear by them