insomnia
Insomnia is one of the most complex issues with a subjective perception: if in fact a person perceives a certain state of insomnia, from a different subject the same condition can be felt as absolutely normal.
Before analyzing in depth what the causes of insomnia may be, it is necessary to define the phenomenon opposed to it: sleep.
The sleep
Sleep is defined as that natural and biological phenomenon that alternates with waking: the brain processes all useful information and neglects or represses useless ones.
Causes of insomnia
Having briefly analyzed the complementary phenomenon of nsomnia, we now turn to illustrating the possible causes: first of all it must be emphasized that the interpretation of insomnia and emotional disturbances is generally subjective, therefore often difficult to study.
A subject can be considered "rested" after sleeping six hours, for example, but for another individual the six hours would not be able to fully satisfy the rest of the same: this depends on how our body has been accustomed, but not only . It has been shown, in fact, that emotional, psychic, fear and anxiety disorders have a very consistent influence on a subject's sleep. Added to this is an incorrect lifestyle: if in fact a person drinks a lot of coffee, goes to sleep late or takes heavy food before going to bed, the chances of suffering from insomnia are high.
According to recent data, it is estimated that Italians suffering from insomnia are between ten and fifteen million.
Types of insomnia
As we have seen, insomnia manifests itself with a marked subjectivity: it is also called a polyhedral disorder, as it manifests itself in different ways. In particular, insomnia can be a primary or secondary symptom of some pathologies (eg depression), secondary expression of sleep disorders (for "sleep disorders" we refer to apneas, narcolepsy, myoclonus (controlled movements of the organism) that induce the typical perception of insomnia: having bad sleep) or reflection of socio-environmental conditions (with immediate reference to stress, a condition not well defined in its causes and in the pathological plan).
Not to mention the possible (and very probable) insomnia caused by substances of abuse, in which the only remedy is pharmacological correction.
In all these different types of insomnia, with the exception of the last case, we can intervene with herbal products, therefore of natural derivation, to alleviate and lighten this real disorder.
Insomnia and natural remedies
It is good to remember that stress - which can lead to a state of anxiety, consequently causing insomnia - is often connected to the environment in which we find ourselves: it is therefore precisely what surrounds us that can, in some way, influence the our psychology. In fact, blue, for example, stimulates industriousness, green concentration and relaxation, while red enhances aggression. From this, we deduce that sleeping in a room whose walls are painted red is certainly not going to help the person's sleep.
Even the fragrances often interact with the emotional state of the subject: in fact lavender, thanks to its anxiolytic properties, seems to help the body to relax, therefore favoring sleep. This explains why lavender perfumers are often found in closets.
To combat insomnia with natural products, there is a wide range of products on the market, in particular reference to herbal teas and opercula.
Among the typical drugs that help fight insomnia, we recall: chamomile, lemon balm, passion flower and valerian. Less known are, by contrast, escolzia and griffonia.
Very important is the magnesium orotate, that is a magnesium salt in which the mineral is complexed with vitamin B13 (orotic acid). This element is fundamental and is used by our body in the event of stress; consequently, it can be deduced that in such circumstances magnesium levels drop strongly. This element is also a cofactor of many enzymes, including those that regulate sleep. The combination mineral drug (Mg) with natural substance (vitamin B13) gives the product a great validity, since by complexing magnesium with vitamins it is made more usable by our body.
In addition to the use of natural products, however, emphasis must be placed on a very important factor: sleep hygiene, an expression of the quality of sleep itself. As a result, if sleep hygiene is not performed, insomnia will most likely occur. The bedroom, in fact, must be a suitable environment for sleep; it would then be advisable to practice relaxation techniques before going to bed, always going to sleep at the same time; it would also be advisable not to sleep during the day, not to eat before going to bed and not smoking. Also the use of exciting substances such as coffee, tea, cocoa, guarana and ginseng increases the likelihood that the body suffers from insomnia ; finally, even alcoholic substances should be avoided: initially they can cause drowsiness but once their effects are over there is the risk of waking up during sleep.
Beliefs and tradition
"By eating a single almond before going to bed, sleep will come without calling it": this is how an ancient popular tradition recommends a method aimed at counteracting insomnia, or, better to say, preventing it. However, the reason behind this recommendation is not clear, although it can be emphasized that almonds contain a lot of magnesium: as mentioned above, therefore, magnesium is a cofactor of sleep-regulating enzymes.
Particular is another theory, which hypothesizes a potential solution to counter insomnia: it seems that a pillow filled with flowers and hop leaves improves sleep. Considering that even in this case it is a tradition handed down from generation to generation, the scientific explanation is not clear. The only hypothesis that can be considered is that hops enjoy mild sedative properties: the hop, not surprisingly, belongs to the Cannabinaceae family, just like cannabis, a drug known since ancient times for its calming properties.
I do not know how to say how good I go, so full of sleep at that point that the true way left me (Inf. I, 10-12)
Yes ruminating and yes aiming at those,
I fell asleep; the sleep that often
indeed that the fact is, he knows the tidings.
In the hour, I believe, that of the ïïente,
first he went to Mount Citerea,
that of fire of love always seems ardent
(PURGATORY - SONG TWENTY-SECONDS vv. 91 et seq.)
