Sleep and the Brain

Just as gasoline, oil and other engine fluids are critical to our car’s engine, neurotransmitters are critical to the quality of life we enjoy; this includes the quality of our sleep.  We hear so much about melatonin and sleep.  You can purchase melatonin products over the counter as a sleep aid or obtain a prescription for sleep aids, but these are only temporary solutions.  We prefer to look at the source of the problem. 

Stress is also a major challenge to sleep.  By learning how to manage your brain, you learn how to manage your stress levels.

Neurotransmitters communicate with various groups of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain.  These neurons seem to turn off or turn on signals that make us productive, feel good, allow us to sleep or be awake.  When they are out of balance, our bodies will react.  For example, if we are lacking in serotonin, our ability to sleep may become challenged.  A buildup of adenosine can make us drowsy during peak production periods.  This can affect our ability to stay awake on the job.  Watching television or playing video games too close to bedtime, eating or drinking wrong foods, or consuming them too close to bedtime can also pose a challenge to sleep.  The uses of your sleeping area and even the way it is arranged can cause sleep challenges.

Our ability to sleep and our ability to be productive while we are awake depend greatly on how well we sleep.  The goal is deep, restorative sleep.

What causes an imbalance in our neurochemicals?  Diet, stress, lack of proper rest, and a host of other things. Let’s look at some of the more obvious things;

Caffeine 

We see people loading up on coffee, sodas, and energy drinks that are heavy in caffeine in order to energize.  

Some prescription and non-prescription drugs, such as diet pills, antidepressants, and decongestants, actually stimulate the brain, causing us to have a less-than-desirable night's sleep.

Ask your doctor for guidance regarding any prescription or supplement you are taking to see if it may be disturbing your sleep.  He or she may be able to guide you to something that will not affect your sleep. Or perhaps you need to take them well before bedtime.

Unfortunately, many people have become dependent on sleep aids and continue to use them long after they've stopped being effective. The key problems are:
 
1. Insomnia is a symptom, and the root cause needs to be resolved. It is like mowing the weeds in your yard; they continue to grow back until you deal with the root of the problem.
 
2. There is often a rebound effect when you stop taking sleep aids. Many experience a worse case of insomnia after they discontinue taking sleep aids.

Smoking and Alcohol

Some people who have challenges getting to sleep will turn to smoking and alcohol at night to help them drift off.  The downside is the effect will wear off after a few short hours and keep them in a lighter state of sleep for the remainder of the night, which means they experience more sleep interruption.  The real downside is it keeps them from achieving deep, restorative sleep.  Those who don’t achieve deeper sleep tend to age faster, wake up tired, feeling as if they have been working all night.  There is a better way. Allow BrainTek to teach you to manage your brain for better, restorative sleep. 

Medical Conditions

If you have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, periodic leg movement, cerebral anoxia, or any number of sleep disorders, most likely your doctor has already set you on a road to recovery.  If you have these conditions, you need to see your primary care physician as early as possible.  Early detection can offset many long-term problems.  Talk to your primary care professional for an action plan.

What's Affecting Your Sleep?

A person who is frequently tired during periods of peak productivity may be experiencing issues with sleep and insomnia. This can be caused by a vitamin or mineral deficiency or chemical imbalance.

Brown University researchers discovered that fatigued medical residents, when placed in a driving simulator, performed at least as badly as they did under the influence of alcohol.

Driving under the influence of fatigue can be hazardous to your health and the health of others. 
  
Your experience of enjoying (or dreading) sleep can affect your emotional and mental functioning.  Symptoms of sleep deprivation can manifest as fatigue and memory issues, reduced productivity, insomnia, and depression. It can affect your mental and emotional psyche.
 
Fortunately, resolution comes when you find and resolve the root cause. BrainTek will look at your neurochemical, neuroelectrical, and neurophysiology reports to help identify the root of the problem.  We develop a program designed for your particular needs.  Brains are not the same; one program does not work for all.  Our programs are not talk therapy, nor do we aid you in reliving a traumatic situation to bring closure.  Through brain entrainment, we are able to make change while you are in a relaxed environment.  Many will drift off to sleep.  We entrain your brain then teach you how to manage your brain from that time forward.
 
If a client does not have a medical condition causing the insomnia, the next step is to receive Sleep Training by a qualified BrainTek professional.  With information received from the reports, your BrainTek practitioner will provide special protocols that help you make the proper adjustments and teach you how to manage and direct your brain.

At BrainTek you will be entrained on how to enter and stay in the Sleep Zone. When you learn these steps, you will be able to manage your brain going forward.  Successful clients learn to get deeper sleep and become more relaxed and vibrant when they awaken. You may also experience a noticeable gain in your productivity and in your memory.

 

Schedule your appointment today by calling BrainTek: 858-222-9138

 


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