Insomnia - Treatments

Alcohols

 Dimethylvinylcarbinol may alleviate Insomnia (by sedating the Central Nervous System). 

Amino Acids

 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) may alleviate Insomnia.  ^[1]

 Glycine may alleviate Insomnia (due to its role as an Inhibitory Neurotransmitter).  ^[2]

 Taurine may alleviate Insomnia by depressing the Central Nervous System. 

 Tryptophan may alleviate Insomnia due to its role as precursor for the production of Serotonin within the body.  ^[3]

Hormones

 Melatonin alleviates Insomnia in many persons:  ^[4]

 The dosage of Melatonin required to alleviate Insomnia is quite variable.  It is recommended that persons prone to Insomnia begin by using 1 mg of Melatonin two hours prior to retiring.  If no improvement occurs, increase the dosage to 2 - 3 mg.  Some people are cured of Insomnia by taking Melatonin several hours before retiring, while others are only cured when they take Melatonin one hour before retiring.

Lipids

 Forskolin may alleviate Insomnia (according to folklore). 

Minerals

 Calcium (1,500 - 2,00 mg per night) may help to prevent and treat Insomnia (due to its ability to sedate the Central Nervous System).  Calcium deficiency may be an underlying cause of Early-Waking Insomnia.  ^[5]

 Insomnia may occur as a result of Iron deficiency. 

 Insomnia patients are often found to be deficient in Magnesium (indicating that supplemental Magnesium may often alleviate Insomnia).  Magnesium supplementation reduces the next-day Fatigue associated with Insomnia.  ^[6]

 Insomnia may occur as a result of Potassium deficiency. 

Neuropeptides

 Vasopressin (40 IU per night) may be useful for the treatment of Insomnia (it may increase total Sleep time by an average of 45 minutes per night).  ^[7]

Neurotransmitters

 Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) (1 - 3 grams administered sublingually at night) may alleviate Insomnia.  ^[8]

 Insomnia can occur as a result of insufficient production or secretion of Serotonin - Serotonin's role as an inhibitory Neurotransmitter is responsible for Nerve Impulses that lead to Sleep.

Prescribed Medications

 Barbiturates are usually prescribed to relieve Insomnia resulting from Anxiety (i.e. as Sleeping Pills):

 Caution:  Barbiturates alleviate Insomnia only in the short-term - long-term use exacerbates Insomnia.

 Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for the treatment of Insomnia (but become less effective with prolonged use):  ^[9]

 Diazepam alleviates Insomnia.

 Nitrazepam is commonly prescribed to induce Sleep in Insomnia patients.

 Temazepam is commonly prescribed to induce Sleep in Insomnia patients.  ^[10]

 GABA Reuptake Inhibitors may increase the duration of Slow-Wave Sleep in Insomnia patients.  Drugs from this class include: