I found this funny rel="nofollow" target="_blank">parody of Lunesta commercials on Google video. It features Will Ferrell, a favorite of mine, fending of Lunesta's floating, then attacking butterfly.
Sleeping problems are no laughing matter, however, and Americans fight with insomina is generating big $$ for Big Pharma:
- Sepracor, which distributes Lunestra, reportedly spent about $200 million last year on promoting their magic sleep pill
- Lunestra competitor Ambien reportedly spending about $100 million in advertising.
I've struggled with periodic insomnia throughout my life (mine is the middle-of-the night wake-up kind; I fall asleep right away). I've found a variety of effective natural and holistic medicine approaches to sleep issues.
For me taking 5 HTP or Tryptophan when I wake up in the middle of the night has proven effective. I've also had positive results with Valarian Root as well as tinctures prepared by my local herbalist, which have included mixtures of organic fresh Passionflower, California Poppy, and Jamican Dogwood.
I've have used melotonin and kava kava but am concerned about toxicity and other potential risks from longer term usage.
I am also trying to make sure I have some form of moderate exercise or fitness activity everyday and am reducing my caffeine and especially coffee intake during the last year. I still treasure a good cup of coffee, but I've limited my intake to a half a cup in the early morning and a green tea later in the day.
Dr. Mecola has a helpful video on a variety of sleep principles and tips. Some of his advice is impractical and must be taken with a grain of salt (if you're a shift worker and go to sleep after midnight, such as an emergency room physician, police offer, or figher fighter you need to find a new job).
