Acupuncture for sleep disorders can be helpful. Many of us lie awake at night with insomnia, wondering why we can’t fall asleep like we had in the past, or wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep, night after night. Insomnia seems to be more common these days. What has changed that may be underlying this restlessness? Taking various sleep enhancers such as tryptophan, melatonin and Gaba may be helpful, but still may not be solving the underlying issue. It is a band aid approach at best.
There is an association between the inability to fall asleep and chronic brain deterioration. The number one cause of both conditions is chronic brain inflammation. Heat in the head causes the brain to function abnormally. Neurotransmitter pathways such as serotonin and dopamine are affected by this heat. Toxic bi- products of inflammation inhibit these neurotransmitter pathways. We know serotonin helps to calm the brain and is a key component of healthy sleep. Chronic brain Inflammation over time destroys brain tissue and may eventually lead to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia.
The glymphatic system is the lymph system of the brain. During REM sleep your brain is able discharge many of the byproducts such as toxins. When sleep is compromised the is a backup of toxins that can cause more sleep issues but also lead to a labeled disease process.
Acupuncture for sleep is rooted in the Chinese Medicine model of health which uses the term yin deficient heat to diagnose this condition. This means the bodies inability to cool itself is being compromised by other factors. Understanding that brain inflammation is not the cause, but the effect that causes insomnia is the key here. Inflammation has to have a source. The causes may be diverse, coming from multiple origins such as vagus nerve dysfunction, diet, allergic reactions, pathogenic influences, kidney issues, gut microbiome issues, heavy metal and biotoxin buildup creating the heat. The bottom line is reducing inflammation called neuroinflammation in the brain is vital to better sleep and long-term brain health.
This information has not been reviewed by the FDA. It does not prevent, cure, or treat any disease.