(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best medical sleep aids

In short, I was in a very similar situation. I have been suffering from similar issues for than 15 years. About two years ago, after hundreds of hours of research, consultations with sleep experts, and self-experiments, I managed to find a way out. I have been waking up naturally at 7am and falling asleep within <15 mins since.

Taming my sleep schedule required multiple measures. But, combining all of these together, completely changed my life.

1. LIGHT THERAPY FIRST THING IN THE MORNING - this one has a huge impact, not only on my sleep schedule but also on my alertness during the day. I have tried five different recommended lamps and found North Star 10,000 by Alaska Northen Lights to be the most effective, even though it's a bit pricey and bulky. This model is the closest one to what was used in clinical studies that demonstrated the efficacy of light therapy. Every morning, after waking up I get myself out of bed and go sit/lie next to the lamp for 30 mins. As I mentioned, I start to feel a lot more alert within 20 mins. I do this everyday.
   
2. LIGHT DEPRIVATION TWO HOURS BEFORE BED TIME - stop using any screen 1.5 hours before your designated bed time. Can't emphasize it enough. I discovered that, like many others with this disorder, I am hyper sensitive to light. I found out that computer screens, TVs, and mobile phone screens can be devastating to my already poorly performing self-regulating mechanism. Blue light blockers are nice, but unfortunately, are no substitute to putting the screen away. Also, dim the lights around the house and avoid bright fluorescent lamps.
   
3. MELATONIN TO DIAL BACK MY CYCLE - I learned that 0.3mg (300 microgram) melatonin 4-6 hours before my bedtime really helps my circadian rhythm to shift back a couple of hours when combined with light therapy in the following morning. I came across this fact when reading through hundreds of clinical studies. I was also surprised that such a small dose is doing anything, but apparently, it does wonders.
   
4. AVOID CAFFEINE - similar to my hyper sensitivity to light, a cup of tea in the morning can throw me off my sleep time.
   
5. WAKE UP AT THE SAME TIME EVERY DAY- I know it sounds impossible, but after getting my routine in place (more on how I got there below), to maintain it, I wake up at the same time every day - weekdays and weekends. Any continued deviation, even for two days, throws me off an hour or two of my cycle.
   
6. FALLING ASLEEP WITH RACING THOUGHTS - another thing that helped me tremendously to get into the adjusted sleep schedule was to listen to audiobooks when I having racing thoughts, or generally, when not falling asleep within 10 mins. Anxiety and racing thoughts when lying in bed were a common occurrence. A gentle distraction - such as in the form of an audiobook - made wonders for me. Instead of turning from side to side for hours, I just felt asleep within minutes after starting to listen. Bedtime meditation also works but audiobooks are easier to start with (HEADSPACE actually have some great content, and also has built a dedicate sleep section in their app).
   
7. SLEEP HOW MUCH I NEED, NOT MORE - I experimented with how much time of sleep I actually need. I noticed, that 7:30 hours is exactly what I need to fall asleep easy, have a non-fragmented sleep, and function well. Trying to sleep more was counter productive and deteriorated my sleep quality and made it harder to fall asleep at the same time. Today, I'd rather err on sleep to little, and not too long. It helps me maintain my routine.
   
8. OTHER - Aerobic exercise is a great habit, and also improves the quality of my sleep. Another thing that I found out is that camping outdoors (when/where it is sunny) really helps with many of the items above, and is a great way to start the shift.
   
   When I was looking for a cure, I found encouragement in reading forums like this, which illustrated to me that I am not alone, and people do figure out how to overcome this eventually. I don't think that there is a silver bullet for fixing it, nor that its a one-size-fits-all solution. For me, educating myself on this (here's a really great resource to start with), experimenting to find what works and what not, and committing to resolve it, eventually paid off.
   
   Have faith, and more so, luck, in finding a way to a healthy and sustainable resolution.

Yes, it sounds to me like you're somewhat uneasy in this new place, and it may be becoming psychosomatic.

In my experience, I toss and turn a lot, and have trouble falling asleep when:

1. I didn't eat enough, and/or on intense workout days when my CNS is over amped.
   
   
2. I'm worried / stressed about something. Doesn't happen often, but it happens.
   
   
3. I'm in a new environment and my animal instinct needs to feel "safe" and at ease.
   
   Have you ever tried meditation? Doing that for 20 minutes before bed may help to calm the mind and ease you into a mindset more conducive to sleep.
   
   Have you tried light therapy? Moving to another country can bring jet lag along with it. Realigning your circadian rhythm is important. It's good that you're using melatonin. However, keep in mind that more is not better. Some studies have found that lower dosage (.5 - 1mg) can often times be more effective than high doses (3-5mg). 10mg is extremely high. Also, I find sublingual melatonin to work much better for me, perhaps since it skips the first pass metabolism and goes directly into the bloodstream.
   
   Also, certain supplements may help. I mentioned valerian and california poppy. The best sleep supplement I've found is called Deep Sleep:
   
   http://www.amazon.com/Herbs-Etc-Professional-Strength-California/dp/B001ECXHVM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1427203576&sr=8-3&keywords=deep+sleep
   
   Deep Sleep combines california poppy, valerian and some other herbs. Taking 30 drops an hour before bed, then 30 more at bedtime, definitely helped me get into a deep sleep when I most needed it. I don't take it anymore, and never took it more than a few days in a row, but it may help to get your started.
   
   Finally – and I recommend this with reservation – you can look into phenibut. Phenibut is a substance that carries the calming neurotransmitter, GABA, into the brain. If your mind is restless, this might help. I say "with reservation", because using it too often, or in a high dose, can lead to dependence. However, taking it once or twice a week shouldn't be a problem at all.

My doctor suggested a sleep mixture of sorts that you are supposed to take 30 minutes before bedtime and it has been a huge help for me. I don't suffer from insomnia each night, but there are nights when I lay down at 10pm and don't fall asleep until ~3am. This sleep mixture has helped to regulate my sleep times and create a routine as well as provide my body with supplements to wind down. This is what I was told:
Zinc 11mg
Magnesium 250mg
*Melatonin 5mg

I'm not sure if the dosage recommendation was specific to my body, but I don't think this is a high dosage for the average body type for male or female (I am not a doctor). I would also head to a natural foods and vitamin store near you - I did and got most of these items on sale and the staff was super helpful and friendly and answered a lot of my questions. Hope you have success if you decide to try this! I linked to the brand that I have been buying, but you can try other brands if you want.

I posted a similar question on here for a gift for my boyfriend, and I got a lot of great responses so I decided to make a "panic box" for him with lots of different ideas.

He is big on scents for soothing, so I got him a relaxation blend and frankincense essential oils, as well as his favorite incense.

He is also very responsive to tea, so I got him this pregnancy tea. I know that seems weird, but it was one of the few on Amazon that had chamomile and oatstraw. Although I didn't really expect them to work, I also got him stress mints, calm drops, and moon drops in hopes that having something to suck on might calm him down if some minor anxiety pops up.

As for books, after reviewing this thread here, I got him this anxiety memoir since he seems to benefit from reading other people's stories (shout out to this subreddit! Thanks guys!), as well as this workbook.

Finally, I got him a panic pete to give him something to hold and squeeze when he was anxious. Out of all the things I got him, he loved panic pete the best!

As a final, personal touch, I printed out this article which he loved reading when he is anxious, and included some of the calming mantras I found here.

Hope at least some of this helps!

I don't know about chamomile, but a lot of people recommend melatonin for both sleep and symptom relief. I find it does help me get to sleep, but I take multiple steps to relieve symptoms and can't say to what degree it helps with IBS. I can confirm it doesn't agitate it, though.

Linked below is the kind I use, the fast-release tablets. However, I really recommend you speak with your doctor to get the best advice, especially if you need help long-term.

https://smile.amazon.com/Natrol-Melatonin-Dissolves-Absorption-Strawberry/dp/B01E14X7SM/ref=lp_3764301_1_5_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1567634603&sr=1-5

I’ve tried the valerian capsules and tea but I didn’t find them to be as effective as the actual extract/tincture. Plus the capsules smell terrible! At least with the tincture you can throw it back. This is also a good blend of valerian and passionflower... found on [amazon](Herb Pharm Relaxing Sleep Herbal Formula with Valerian Extract - 4 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00169ZZQI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pQAOBbQ6CWT83). If you fancy tea, I really like the Yogi brand tea (kava).

Look into the app “Headspace” it’s wonderful. Or look up some guided meditations for sleep or relaxation on YouTube.

I’ll definitely look into it! Thanks!

> I imagined myself painstakingly measuring it into each capsule.

I kind of do something like that sometimes, though I just wrap it in thin paper and swallow it before the whole mess comes loose. It's...probably not the best solution, to be totally honest.

If you want to experiment on a budget, I'd strongly recommend theanine+caffeine as a base. It's very inexpensive and works pretty well, though caffeine tolerance is annoying. Also, while it's more for anxiety than energy, I really enjoy Ashwagandha.

Oddly, caffeine and Ashwagandha are two of the few things I'd recommend buying in pill form. Caffeine because it tastes awful and is so cheap (like $5 on Amazon for 100 pills), and Ashwagandha because I happen to rather like this specific brand which is both high quality and quite affordable.

Right now I'm trying to write a romance, actually. New for me, though I'm enjoying it more than I would've expected. I just need to get a firm grasp on the subgenre, because it seems to be slipping away from me a little bit.

edit: Also, one other recommendation: Melatonin. It's dirt cheap and getting a good night's sleep helps with energy the next day. Melatonin kind of has a bad rap because most bottles of it have like 3-10mg doses, which is too much. Even the bottle I linked is 1mg, so I'd recommend cutting them in half.

edit2: So many typoes. Sorry. I basically didn't sleep last night.

1mg is super easy to find online, so that would be what I'd buy. I actually find 1.5mg to be best for me, and 3mg to be not as effective as the smaller dosages.

I like NOW Food's Liquid Melatonin, personally; a third or half a dropper before bed and it works in a half hour. When I travel, I take Nature Bounty's 1mg Melatonin pills, again taking one just before bed.

http://examine.com/supplements/Melatonin/ for more info. I'd be happy to answer any more questions, too :)

Hello friend. I too have dealt with sleep issues for a while. From my research (reading), a SMALL dose of melatonin (less than 1mg) is the optimal melatonin dosage (Source)
Along with that, quite a few have reported that L-theanine helped their sleep (do your own research on this. I don’t have all the time in the world).

Personally, I just ordered this from Amazon, and am looking forward to trying it out when it comes in tomorrow. Contains what seems to be a nice assortment of ingredients.

Also, this needs to be driven home, caffeine has a half-life of 5-7 hours (source: “Why We Sleep” by Walker), so if you drink some coffee/take a caffeine pill at 12:00 P.M. , it won’t be until (approximately) sometime until 10pm and 2 AM when all of the caffeine (which blocks the adenosine receptors) is removed from your system. How fast you remove caffeine from your system depends on your genetics. For me personally, I don’t think I can afford taking caffeine anytime past noon and also hoping to sleep well that night (sucks for me! I’m jelly of the people that can drink cofffee whenever they want and sleep like babies).

You may also want to highly consider getting blue blocking glasses for nighttime wear.

Many others say they sleep well on ZMA, which you can buy on Amazon.

In for reading what others have to say about sleep. I definitely want to max out my sleep quality!!!

okay, i'm going to ask a genuine question.

i am a seeker of knowledge with no dog in this fight one way or the other. but i'm a big big fan of Calms Forte a natural sleeping aid by Hyland's Homeopathics. this stuff knocks me right into sleepy bye land and it says it's homeopathic. when i take one i can feel it working, relaxing my muscles and then kapow! i'm out until the morning. if i take the max dose of three, when i wake up i feel like i'm arriving on the planet from about a 1000 light years away. it definitely does something.

someone told me once it's not really homeopathic. but it's got those little 3x and 4 x thingeys right in the list of ingredients.

does anyone know what the deal is?

Melatonin is amazing! The only ones that have worked really well for me are these sublingual ones. They are seriously amazing (and yummy) and I don't think I'll ever live without them! :P

I used to use some stuff called Fade Out by Redcon1 (I think) to get some sleep at night on my non-drinking stints. Valerian root, melatonin, and some vitamins. Worked like an absolute charm, (none of the ingredients were effective for me on their own) and completely natural. But since it’s made by a lifting supplement company it’s on the pricey side.

I’ve since found a capsule that’s basically identical ingredients that is quite a bit cheaper: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015QGJ98G?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
Does the trick for me. Not sure if this was what you were looking for.

Over the counter you can get a medication called doxylamine that is a cleaner drug than Benadryl, but works in the same way. L-glycine is a supplement that can help. This is a great brand that also contains melatonin. Personally, I have paradoxical reactions to Benadryl and melatonin. They keep me awake, which is the worst.

I use mirtazapine. It's prescription, so you'd have to ask your primary care for it. It's a very gentle, non-habit forming option. Trazodone is another option.

Benzos and z-drugs (like Ambien) are terrible.

Hey man/ma'am, I used to have that same issue. Give these a shot. 20-30 minutes before bed, they work well and taste good. Don't overdo them!!

Also related: I used to get 5-6 hours, max. Every since I got back hard into lifting, I have to have eight hours to feel good mentally and physically. I get 9.5 on the weekend and I feel brand-new when that happens. You are 100% right in that good sleep is critical.

melatonin would be a great help when i transition to working overnight!

It won't keep you awake per se, but it's not supposed to make you sleepy. Antihistamines in particular are known for their drowsiness. So much so that diphenhydramine (the active ingredient of Benadryl) is sold by itself in a higher dosage specifically as a sleep aid. Medications that are marked as "non-drowsy" typically will not contain chemicals which cause drowsiness, opting instead for something like loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec) or fexofenadine (Allegra).

Some random thoughts:

Over-training can cause problems with sleep. Are you riding too much, too soon perhaps?

Magnesium deficiency can cause poor sleep as well. Eating spinach, nuts (cashews, brazil nuts, and almonds), or seeds (pumpkin seeds especially) before bed or at dinner could help. If you happen to go to the doctor any time soon, try to stick with your current diet and ask them to test your magnesium level.

Less random:

I've dealt with sleep issues my whole life. It takes me forever to fall asleep, and I have very vivid dreams that I usually wake up from. I also have a hard time sleeping after my post-work rides sometimes too. So I spend a lot of time in bed awake.

I take some magnesium and zinc supplements (usually split the zinc one in half as it has so much in it) about an hour before bed 2-3 times a week after a late ride. I usually get a better night's sleep when I do.

A couple months ago I started taking melatonin, 2-3mgs under the tongue, and my quality of sleep has improved tremendously. I see it causes some problems for you though. You could try less or more and see if that helps? The 5mg melatonin pill is pretty common, so it could be too much for you. I've been using these 1mg pills.

5mg is a HUGE amount. Most of the people to whom I've spoken find that ≤1mg works well while ≥2mg doesn't work at all. If you get the 5mg you might try cutting it in quarters at least, but I'd recommend starting with 500mcg--either that one from Amazon or a similar one at an actual Trader Joe's for a similar price.

I've only tried one brand, the most popular one on Amazon. These saved my bacon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MAWIGWT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Me too.

Try melatonin. Divine medicine and it is 100% safe.

They sell in capsules from 0.3mg to 5mg. Do not buy the 5mg, it is a horse dose. Try 1mg first and go up if necessary.

https://www.amazon.com/Natrol-Melatonin-Dissolve-Strawberry-90-Count/dp/B00C3Q5JVE

Usually in 30 minutes I'm dizzy already and I sleep DEEP for eight hours straight.

THIS I have experience with...I would say that it doesn't improve the quality of the sleep but rather the restorative effects of it. Excellent if you exercise a bit. My personal sleep substances are 1-2 Grams glycine, 300-600 mcg sublingual melatonin and 130 mg lithium orotate (1 tab), and 200-400 mg magnesium glycinate or magnesium threonate

Not really, the only things you need to do is make sure you stick to a eating/sleeping schedule, and maybe get a lowish dose melatonin supplement like [this](https://www.amazon.com/Source-Naturals-Occasional-Sleeplessness-Sublingual/dp/B0014GXK7O/ref=sr_1_30_s_it? ts=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1494169543&sr=1-30&keywords=melatonin) to help get your sleep circadian rhythm set.

ima leave this right here

You can get it at whole foods or any real vitamin shop - worked for me and I was overweight (300lb) had sleep apnea , Type 2 diabetes, back pain and a shitty twin bed.

You'll sleep like a baby. Last hour before you go to bed = no TV or computer monitor, read a book or lay in bed and listen to music and relax.

Take this stuff about an hour before you lay down. Do not exceed dosage - you won't need to. No napping during the day.

Stay away from the benydryl and diphenhydramine and crap -it's ok once in a while but you will become a zombie and after a while it stops being effective.

Hope this helps.

If you are waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom , you might try not drinking water after 6pm.

I take 2 melatonin gummy bears just about every night (5-6 days a week on average). I'm fine, been doing this for probably two years.

Without melatonin, my anxiety would keep me to sunrise. It really has helped me out a lot in my life.

I would avoid melatonin pills. Some brands made me feel drowsy without actually making me fall asleep, and that really sucks.

I've tried several brands, these are the best:

Vitafusion Extra Strength Melatonin Blackberry, 5mg, 120 Count
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJMZSWU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_gL4azbR9QMEM8

Peppermint flavored Melatonin, such a comfort compared to others I've tried. Dissolves nicely under the tongue, cues sleep 15-45 minutes after ingesting. - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GFPCN4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You're welcome! Yes, sleep is absolutely the bedrock...if you can get the good habits established there, figuring out the rest becomes easier. I highly recommend Source Naturals melatonin if you have trouble falling asleep at night.

The big mistake that I see a lot of people making (not just on TRP) is that they try to do everything at once, overload themselves, fail miserably, and end up doing nothing. When if they had been smart and pursued them one or two at a time, they could've fulfilled most or all of those goals.

Melatonin and Valerian Root (not sure if it is considered a noot). I also highly recommend this.

We have twins, and when one wakes up, most of the time they wake up the other. I know there are nights where I need to sleep, so I give them a gummie.

This is what we use
https://www.amazon.com/Zarbees-Naturals-Childrens-Melatonin-Supplement-Flavored/dp/B01MAWIGWT

Our kids wake up when they her the door. I had to lube the door to fix that issue. I also have a chair in their room and have slept there as well. We also play music to cover the sound of me leaving their room.

I know you want to be a good father and not hurt them by kicking them out of the bed, but it's not healthy to you. Sometimes some of us here are way too nice and sacrifice ourselves to the point were we are pushed out of the relationship or stop being our self.

I have taken Drift Off at times. It has amazing reviews.

Yeah, I got mine from Amazon. Breaking a 3 into 12 would be challenging :).

Edit: these are mine: http://www.amazon.com/Source-Naturals-Melatonin-Orange-Tablets/dp/B0014GXK7O

Calms forte always guarantees either extremely lucid dreams or sleep paralysis for me. Protip: if you get sleep paralysis or you ever start to feel dread in dreams, hold your breath to escape.

Everything is expensive here haha

http://www.healthchemist.co.nz/product/unisom-sleep-gels-10-p2325659.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw0a2eBRDVrabv9vWJ90USJACsKRDHj1qQV808avkTZ--cyhoU2gKCFVbTgkp8WauS0va5VRoCccTw_wcB#.U8xdq3L7s5Y

Here you go! I can't get the same brand from the States (well I might be able to, I haven't looked) but these are the ones here. I really should put an order in, I ran out last night so I need to buy more today - if I put an order through now I should get them in a couple of weeks when the next lot run out!

Edit: See look at this price! http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Right-Sleep-Diphenhydramine-Softgels/dp/B002JS1ZAK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1405902478&sr=8-3&keywords=Diphenhydramine+HCl

Getting your sleep cycle straightened out takes work, but the first step is to stop feeling guilty; it's just a physiological problem primarily caused by engineers in the first place.

Your sleep cycle is regulated by melatonin. Your body's store of melatonin increases throughout the evening until it makes you tired enough to sleep. Part of the natural system of regulation of melatonin is that it is degraded by narrower visible light bands (green, blue, purple, UV). Thanks to modern technology we have many sources of this type of light well after it should really be dark: fluorescent lights (including CFLs), LED lighting (white LEDs are blue LEDs coated with a phosphor so the spectrum is a mix of yellow and blue), and computer monitors/TVs. If you expose yourself to these light sources late at night, they will degrade your melatonin and make you feel less like going to sleep.

Some ways to mitigate this problem are:

Installing f.Lux on any computers you use regularly late at night. I keep my nighttime setting cranked all the way down to 3400 Kelvin.

Turn off or replace lighting you are around. Incandescent bulbs, particularly dimmed ones, have a very warm color spectrum that won't mess with melatonin as badly. If you have a bunch of gadgets with green and blue LEDs within sight or especially in the room where you sleep, cover the LEDs or clip the leads internally to disable them. If your alarm clock is stupid and has a green or blue display, get one that has a red display.

If you are (as most of us were) up at an engineering building constantly late at night exposed to all its cozy fluorescent lighting and computer screens which are outside of your control, consider picking up a set of blue blocker glasses. Basically it'll be yellow tinted polycarbonate glasses, either branded as blue blockers, or you can pick up a $5 pair of shooting glasses at Wal-Mart that will do the trick.

As a temporary means of shifting your sleep cycle (long term use will be counterproductive/bad), consider taking 2-3mg of Melatonin sub-lingually 45-60 minutes before your desired bedtime. It can help get things back on track. It is particularly useful for shifting your sleep cycle an hour or two a night in advance of and after travel to other time zones to avoid jet lag.

Other stuff:

If you are a user of caffeine, try to reduce the amount you consume and keep it as a morning thing primarily. Decaf stuff only in the afternoon and evening. If you're on Adderall or similar, really really only taking it in the morning.

Exercise. Whatever you like, as long as it's of a relatively high intensity. Weightlifting is good. If you have little time, there are options like HIIT. A good Tabata routine will help you feel like sleeping greatly as long as you don't do it within an hour or two of bedtime.

If that doesn't do it, then seriously go to a sleep clinic and see if you have some other medical issue like sleep apnea that's complicating things.

TL;DR Fuck you engineers who put superfluous blue LEDs in products.

I have two suggestions: this and this. Helps tremendously.

Sleep is incredibly important in recovery. An old sponsor was a firefighter and I used to work shift work, so we'd frequently talk about sleep deprivation and how that plays out in recovery. Sleep deprivation can directly lead to relapse, so it's of paramount importance to get regular and sufficient sleep.

Back around 2000, I was working straight graveyards and found myself unable to sleep. I was in my local health food store and spoke with the owner about my problem. She asked me, 'Was I having trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep ?' I told her both. So I left with some Melatonin and some Valerian Root. Melatonin is, I believe, a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland, and it helps me to get to sleep. The Valerian Root—which helps me stay asleep—I would take, usually on weekends, so that I could get some extra sleep.

There's a lot of shitty Melatonin and Valerian Root suplements out there. I have a brand that's sub-lingual, meaning it's absorbed under the tongue, and it works fantastically. Here are links to the preferred products off of Amazon, although you'll likely be able to find them in one of your local health food stores—even Whole Foods for that matter.

Melatonin - I prefer this brand 'Source Naturals' and I usually get the 2.5mg dosage, which comes in either peppermint or orange flavor.

Valerian Root - from 'Eclectic Institute' also contains Passion Flower.

Typically, I would pop a Melatonin under my tongue every night and only on weekends would I do both Melatonin and the Valerian Root/Passion Flower cocktail. What's funny is I don't think I've touched a Melatonin in more than a few years. Folks in recovery are going to have a lot of opinions about this stuff, but this is really between you and your sponsor and god. I had a period some years ago, coming off of graveyards, whereby my body would only let me sleep for two hours (nap time !) and then I was up, waiting for my next shift. Between the anxiety and the exhaustion, I was ready to crack—and this is a very dangerous place for the recoverying addict to be in. Anyhow, I ended up getting some Ambien from my doctor, and it worked. It allowed me to get the sleep I so desperately needed and also to find a routine and rhythm that wouldn't result in relapse or suicide or both. So once I no longer needed the Ambien, I stopped taking it; it had served its purpose beautifully.

Good luck and PM me if you wanna chat about any of this.

Hi, not OP obviously, but I'm based in the US, and I've bought melatonin on Amazon previously.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DEK9CC/

I need some stuff to help me sleep since it is going on a week now that I can't get to sleep, and then I wake up restless a few hours later.

EDITED TO CHANGE ITEM UPON ADVICE GIVEN.

Here's a link to the one I take in half: https://www.amazon.com/Source-Naturals-Occasional-Sleeplessness-Sublingual/dp/B0014GXK7O/.

https://www.amazon.com/GENIUS-SLEEP-AID-Supplement-Relaxation/dp/B078SS8T3T

I use these and a beer and I’m out

I take two drops of liquid melatonin about a half hour before bed. That adds up to about 200mcg. Haven't had to up my dose.

I use NOW Foods liquid melatonin. At 0.5 mg a day, it costs $6 for a year's supply.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GKXVEDC/ref=sr_ph_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1491014860&sr=sr-1&keywords=Jarrow+melatonin

and

https://www.amazon.com/Verilux-HappyLight-Liberty-Personal-Portable/dp/B00K08ZDBI/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1491014804&sr=8-1&keywords=happy+light

https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Made-Maximum-Strength-Melatonin/dp/B005DEK9CC/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_121_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XHEFVW9GGJPH6JE2JAFZ

try this.

i know it says it's homeopathic and that homeopathy is suppose to be bunk. but either it isn't bunk in this case, or this product isn't really homeopathic. it really works and won't leave you groggy.

as far as the homeopathic issue, i know a handful of scientists who swear by this stuff.

Hey man, have you tried melatonin? Does the trick for me most of the time.

Mostly this. Someone in my program has MULTIPLE felonies and has been arrested over 100 times. He found a company beforehand that wanted to hire him though. One of the smartest guys and most engaged people in my classes. He is completely sober. And while he definitely still comes off as someone who was an addict, he also comes off as someone who has ZERO interest in being one ever again.

The cannabis tea is a HUGE red flag to employers and anyone whom you need to believe in you or take you seriously. There are other sleep aids. Pick your fights. Right or wrong, you already have a lot to ask potential employers to forgive. Openly admitting that you are using what is still largely viewed as an illicit drug signals to employers that you are not aware of how that comes off, or, even worse, don't have the self control to stop. The former says to them that you are still thinking like a criminal and the later says that you are a barely functioning addict. While I don't personally agree with those sentiments, I would personally be HIGHLY discouraged by the fact that you are using the cannabis tea. It shows that you aren't willing to withhold doing something that comes off very negatively. Part of the point of all the nonsense engineering students are put through is to prove how hard they are willing to work and how much shit they will put up with -- the tea makes me seriously doubt both. People have NO obligation to take ANY risk on you. You are NOT anyone else's problem. You need to make your weakness a strength. Show them that having the record has lit a fire under you, and that you are determined to compensate for it. Now, instead of someone with no upside and a lot of downside, they see someone with downside who is over compensating. That overcompensation could mean they get someone who always places themselves under pressure to outperform their peers. If this means you are always going to hold yourself to a higher standard that means you could be a REALLY good employee in the ways that actually count.

We have all seen and/or experienced drug use. Most of us have seen people lose control of their lives. They way to described the cannabis situation comes off like the many people I've known who've struggled with addiction. They have a totally solid excuse for was ostensibly sounds like "responsible" use. Except, knowing them, I know it's just like a smoker whose quitting, but won't throw out their cigarettes or an alcoholic who excuses with "I limit myself to two beers a night". Maybe it would be fine for someone else, but not them. It's a terrible idea. Don't be attached to it. Why does it matter so much that you are willing to take on that fight -- if you are willing, that shows that you are in some way emotionally dependent on using it.

Don't make it harder on yourself. If you have trouble sleeping, do some research about how to help you sleep cycle and talk to a doctor. I take melatonin sometimes and my girlfriend takes Genius Sleep Aid most nights. Family members in pharma looked the Genius Sleep Aid for us, and it's surprisingly science based and not herbal nonsense -- among other things, it has something known to help flush caffeine out of the body more quickly. Don't drink caffeine after 11am. Don't workout after 5pm. Don't do things like gaming or watching thrilling TV/Movies in the evening as they pump adrenaline into your body, which helps keep you awake for hours.

Maybe I'm beating a dead horse at this point, but if you are thinking about how I'm wrong or about the reasons why it's okay to drink the tea, ask yourself this: Why are you holding on to drinking the tea so strongly? Why does it matter so much to drink the tea?

Being an engineer requires a enormous amount of sacrifice. As I see articles about people "continuing to question the 40 hour work week", I'm working 80+ hours a week to make sure I get A's in my classes. And, that work ethic has to continue after university in the particular field I want to enter. It's not for everyone. You'll have to give up a lot of pursue it.