|
[ Sleep apnea and other disturbances Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |
Hi.
I can't remember the last dream I had or what it was about -- that's how long it's been (?6 mos.) since I had a dream I can remember. I'm not on any meds except for thyroid hormone replacement.
Is this abnormal? Is this a sign of some deficiency? Is there a supplement I can take to regain dream recall?
Thanks.
In Reply to: NO dream recall posted by Maggie on December 01, 2002 at 12:44:12:
If there are any electronics/battery powered items near your head when you sleep (alarm clock, night light etc), remove them. Make sure they are at least a full arm's length away from you. If you are up against a wall and there are electronics (on) directly on the other side of the wall, remove those too.
Standard things to do are leave paper and pen next to the bed, then when you awake, immediately focus on remembering what was on your mind before you awoke.
Make sure you are sleeping enough, as you are more likely to remember dreams when your body is fully rested.
You might try meditating or simply taking a few minutes to clear your mind a bit before bed and also right when you awake.
Mugwort placed under your pillow is used to give spiritually revealing dreams, but I'm not sure if it is supposed to enhance recall. You can do a search on it, there's plenty of info on the net. I have only tried it one night so I can't give much info there.
sweet dreams
thessa
In Reply to: Re: NO dream recall posted by thessa on December 01, 2002 at 15:10:46:
The deeper you sleep the more you don't remember dreams. You only recall dreams when you are not sleeping 'deep'.
In Reply to: NO dream recall posted by Maggie on December 01, 2002 at 12:44:12:
B vitamins can help significantly with dream recall. I highly recommend Clarissa Pinkola-Estes audio tapes on Womens Dreams-she discusses B vitamins as well, and includes many examples of dreams from her psychology practice.
Journaling to record dream fragments is important, too (once you can begin to recall them). This encourages the remembering of entire dreams. Whatever actions you can take during waking hours: listening to the tapes, taking B vitamins, encouraging yourself to become more conscious of your dreams - can help.
I did dreamwork intensly for several years and found it enriching and healing- I continue it on a less intense basis now. My SO is a natural lucid dreamer-and able to change and create his dreams while he is dreaming. There are tapes on Lucid dreaming too.
I wish you well on your dreamtime adventures.
In Reply to: NO dream recall posted by Maggie on December 01, 2002 at 12:44:12:
I went dreamless for quite a while although I have no idea why. When I started taking Kava on occasion, I started dreaming again. Well, it is an herb after all. :))
In Reply to: NO dream recall posted by Maggie on December 01, 2002 at 12:44:12:
Hi,
B Vitamins and magnesium usually bring back dream recall.
In Reply to: Re: NO dream recall posted by thessa on December 01, 2002 at 15:10:46:
Thessa.
It makes me angry that for something as simple as dream recall, we need to take certain herbs and supplements, well some of us anyway. Its just a sign of this day and age, and how depleted we have all become. NOt just in our bodies, but also spiritually. We should all be able to recall our dreams if we were healthy and if our bodies were getting everything they need.
As I am on the anti candida diet, I am not meant to take B vitamins which I havent been doing since starting the diet. But Ihave been having the same problem. NOt able to remember my dreams, but just knowing that I DID have a dream. I find it disappointing when I wake up to realize I cant remember it at all. So now I am wondering if its from stopping my B vitamins. I would prefer not to take them as they do tend to feed the candida.
I will try the notebook beside the bed. Where I sleep, I am at least two arms length away from the clock radio. My dreams have always been very vivid and a big help to me in my everyday life and problems.
Oh, another thing. My dog sleeps on the floor right beside the bed. He sleeps almost on top of the electrical plug which is hooked up to the electric alarm clock, the bedroom heater etc. do you think this is bad for him and should I get him to sleep further away?
Ok, thanks. Just had to have a whinge. :)
In Reply to: Re: NO dream recall + my dog posted by Miss Bliss on December 02, 2002 at 08:41:40:
Any dream recall lately Bliss?
I sure have been having some doosies.
Of course that could be the nutritional yeast I eat like crazy - LOL. I never had a problem with nutritional yeast on the candida diet either.
I would certainly give the pup a better sleeping mat than the electrical cords. Maybe he's lacking in EMF though and getting his supplement at night - hahaha. I'm not sure I've ever tested the actual cords with the EMF measurer thing we've got, so I don't know how much zapping he could be getting. Why not change the cord position instead of the doggy bed?
In Reply to: NO dream recall posted by Maggie on December 01, 2002 at 12:44:12:
from http://www.brain.web-us.com/dreamfaq.htm
1.5. Do substances like drugs, herbs and foods affect our dreams?
Yes. During REM protein-synthesis is highly active, so your body needs high levels of amino
acids. The neurotransmitter in use during REM is Acetylcholine. It is made from the B-vitamin
Choline and the vitamin B-5.
But there are more vitamins that can make us dream more. The body can synthesis the B-vitamin
Choline. But in order to do that it needs vitamin B-12, Folic acid (B-9), the amino acids
Methionine and Serine. Vitamins B-12 plays a role in the activation of amino acids during
protein formation. It has also the ability to increase the production of Acetylcholine and
normalize neurotransmissions in the brain.
Vitamin B-6 is another important vitamin. It is a co-enzyme, which participates in over 60
enzymatic reactions involved in the metabolism of amino acids. It is involved in the production
of several body proteins and neurotransmitters. It is particularly indispensable to the action
of amino acid neurotransmitters, like Serotonin, Dopamine, Melatonin, and Norepinephrine, which
effect brain function. It is also involved in the metabolism of Selenium, Calcium, and
Magnesium.
Melatonin is a neurotransmitter/hormone that is only active during sleep. It is being
metabolized when you fall asleep from Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is being metabolized
from the amino acid Tryptophan. Melatonin increases non-REM sleep and makes it easier for you
to fall asleep. But it has also an interesting rebound effect that gives more frequent and
vivid dreams. The vividness might even give you a lucid dream.
The Kava Kava root, a traditional drug from the Polynesian islands, is little known but highly
recommendable. It is said to take away stress and tension, very mildly tranquilizing while clearing
and sharpening thoughts. Also told to help dreaming, especially for lucid dreaming exercises.
From my own experience, it causes a deeper but shorter sleep with more intense dreams.
The amino acid Tryptophan can be metabolized into Serotonin and Niacin (B-3). Vitamin B-6
promotes this conversion. Taking Niacin or Nicotine patches will increase the Serotonin
production. The more Niacin you take, the more Serotonin is produced and more Melatonin is
metabolized. Calcium and Magnesium promotes Serotonin production as well. Zinc is in every cell
of the body and is a part of over 200 enzymes, so Zinc supplements may increase REM-sleep, too.
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) is a very important B-vitamin. It flows easily through the brain's
blood barrier, where it is converted into Choline. During REM, Choline is added the coenzyme A
(Vitamin B-5), and we have Acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter in use during REM.
5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-TryptoPhan) is a Serotonin precursor that also flows quite easy through the
brain's blood barrier. It is a good alternative to Melatonin.
Vitamin C helps metabolizing several amino acids and hormones. It is also important to have
adequate levels of amino acids. A few important ones are Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Methionine,
Cysteine, Serine and Tryptophan.
Using Tobacco, Alcohol or Coffee prohibits the absorption of necessary vitamins and amino
acids. Depressants suppress REM sleep, one is Alcohol, but taken in right doses can create a
rebound effect so that you wake up remembering many vivid dreams. And anti-depressants may
increase dream recall. Caffeine will make you sleep lighter, will increase your dream recall
and maybe even give you a lucid dream. Herbs like Valerian, Mugwort, Mullein, Kava Kava,
Dittany of Crete, St. Johns Wort, Calea Zacatechichi, Salvia Divinorum, Scutellaria Indica,
Licorice Root, Vervain, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Datura, Bee Pollen, Catnip, Hops, Scullcap,
Mimosa, Lavender, Damiana, Withania Somnifera, Passionflower, Chamomile, Cardamom, Gotu Kola,
Ginkgo Biloba, Ibogaine, Verbena, Rose, Cinnamon, Marigold, Nutmeg, Peppermint, Holly, Yarrow
and Anise may help you dream more, recall more or even have a Lucid Dream. Make sure you know
more about these herbs before you use them: some are to be used in pillows, some are to be
smoked, some are to be used in tea, etc. And finally we have psychedelic drugs like DXM that
may induce Lucid Dreams. Some of the drugs and herbs can be addictive, and be poisonous if
taken in too large doses. Crystals and Magnets may also affect your dreams.
In Reply to: Re: NO dream recall - Found this, interesting nutrient details posted by thessa on December 06, 2002 at 06:14:36:
Thanks, Thessa.
Namaste`
Walt
|
[ Sleep apnea and other disturbances Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |