Sleep

Sleep is an active process that involves the brain's repair and restoration of tissues, and it is essential for overall health and well-being. According to Dr. Peat, a healthy individual should be able to get an eight-hour sleep because their glycogen stores feed the active brain through the night 2. This process is impaired in individuals with low thyroid function, who may sleep for 10 or 11 hours but still not feel rested 5.

Insomnia is often a daytime disorder that presents itself at night, caused by a rise in stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which are attempting to catabolize fat and muscle for energy 2. Dr. Peat notes that insomnia usually involves both adrenaline and histamine, and that getting the energy production up with thyroid, sugar, and nutrients can quiet the brain and promote relaxation 4.

The brain's relaxation is impaired in individuals with low energy production, which can lead to insomnia and other sleep disorders. Dr. Peat notes that the heart's inability to relax fully is also related to this inability to relax, similar to insomnia 7. He also notes that huge amounts of sugar can be curative if an individual is under stress, but that a healthy digestive system can get along with starch instead of sugar 8.

Dr. Peat recommends various treatments for insomnia, including warm milk with sugar or honey to lower adrenaline, and thyroid supplements to improve energy production 3. He also notes that non-drowsy antihistamines can improve sleep by quieting the brain's inflammation signals, and that relaxation is not negative, but rather a natural process that occurs when the brain's energy production is up 4.

In terms of reversing sleep disorders, Dr. Peat notes that sleep apnea can be reversed with progesterone and other treatments, and that individuals with sleep apnea may be able to come off their CPAP machines 6. He also notes that night terrors and nocturnal epileptic seizures are closely related to insomnia and can be caused by low blood sugar, high estrogen, serotonin, and cortisol 6.

Overall, Dr. Peat's approach to sleep and insomnia emphasizes the importance of energy production, relaxation, and nutrition in promoting healthy sleep patterns.