Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id QAA11907 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk); Wed, 26 Sep 2001 16:41:51 +0100 Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2001 16:32:16 +0100 To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: Getting to sleep Message-ID: <20010926163216.A786@ii01.org> References: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3102A6D037@inchna.stir.ac.uk> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline User-Agent: Mutt/1.3.15i In-Reply-To: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3102A6D037@inchna.stir.ac.uk>; from v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk on Wed, Sep 26, 2001 at 01:43:13PM +0100 From: Robin Faichney <robin@ii01.org> Sender: fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
On Wed, Sep 26, 2001 at 01:43:13PM +0100, Vincent Campbell wrote:
> Hi Bruce,
>
> As an regular insomniac I sympathise here.
>
> I don't really know much about the physiology of this, but I had the vague
> idea that the warm drink, especially warm milk, released some kind of
> chemicals that help induce sleep. Perhaps it impacts on melatonin
> production?
I think the link is blood sugar->serotonin. Interestingly, alcohol,
caffeine and ecstacy also boost serotonin (the last in a very big way),
but unlike them sugar actually provides the precursors so you don't
get a consequent crash, and they do other things too. As a recovering
depressive and SSRI[1] ex-user, I find serotonin rather interesting,
but of course the other neurotransmitters are too.
> Engaging in some kind of task, like reading, can break the cycle, but like
> you say- why is this?
I'd have thought, as Bruce suggested, simple distraction from the
problematic thoughts, but maybe there's more to it...
BTW, Vincent, I'm something of an insomniac myself these days -- at last
something in common besides locality!?
[1] Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor -- effectively boosts
serotonin levels, most famous example: prozac.
-- "The distinction between mind and matter is in the mind, not in matter." Robin Faichney -- inside information -- http://www.ii01.org/=============================================================== This was distributed via the memetics list associated with the Journal of Memetics - Evolutionary Models of Information Transmission For information about the journal and the list (e.g. unsubscribing) see: http://www.cpm.mmu.ac.uk/jom-emit
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