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Just an update: I ordered TART cherry over the internet. I used it and it had the opposite effect – I was up till 6am! Went back to the black cherry juice and got a good night sleep again. I think the tart juice may have lowered my blood sugar, which can have an effect on keeping me up (which doesn't make sense, but that's just how my body works). I was having night sweats that night, and that's one of my telltale symptoms.
So in the end tart cherry did NOT work for me and made matters worse. However, Black cherry works beautifully.
'Martin' wrote on '11:Just to let you know, we've mentioned cherry juice on the blog before:
http://www.insomnialand.com/blog/can-cherry-juice-really-cure-insomnia/
Oh sorry…didn't even get a chance to peruse the website or twitter page. Shame the study was done by cherry juice mfg. which doesn't lend to legitimacy. But I am not susceptible to the placebo effect – especially with insomnia. I have tried too many things that didn't work. The sleep Dr. on Dr. Oz must have known it can work if it was one of only 2 things he mentioned.
I have had severe insomnia for 3 weeks, however I was not falling asleep before 2am for over 6 months now. And with much effort (meditation). I only took 2 Tbsp (as opposed to the 8 oz. quoted in your blog), and I fell asleep at 1am. I could barely keep my eyes open. And that was without all the mental tricks I've had to do to get to sleep.
No cherry juice here to sell, so I'm unbiased (count me as someone who didn't even know melatonin was in food). It worked for me. Hopefully it'll continue. I'm sure there is a point you have to stop, so that you don't get too much melatonin and too little serotonin, so I won't take it long term.
Thanks Uliharp! I was watching Dr. Oz yesterday, who had a sleep expert on. He mentioned drinking tart cherry juice 2 hrs. before bed, because cherries & cherry juice have alot of melatonin in it (tart having the most). I happened to have some (old!) black cherry juice in the fridge and gave it a try. Low and behold I fell asleep within 1 1/2 hrs & slept SOUNDLY for the first time in 3 weeks. I've never used melatonin capsules before for fear it would cause hormonal imbalances. But will start using tart cherry juice, since I suppose it is a more natural source. Just thought I'd share if no one has tried this. Even Benadryl wouldn't put me to sleep. I'm amazed.
I was taking 5-htp on & off as well, for the serotonin, which wasn't working. Apparently it was the opposite – a melatonin imbalance. The thing is I'm one who has every light source covered in the bedroom and sleep in complete darkness, which should have kept my melatonin levels up…I assume.
Hi Martin,
Sorry – you're correct, it's Snowangel11 (I'm already following you on Twitter). My first injury (car accident) was at 9 years old, and I didn't suffer from insomnia as a kid. It was after my 2nd injury (whiplash/herniated disc after riding on Space Mountain at Disney). I did mention it to my endocronologist. She didn't take it seriously. Neck pain accompanies my adrenal symptoms when I have low cortisol as well, and I don't feel as if I'm at that point now, but will get there if I don't get some more sleep. I'd go so far to say that my adrenal problems may be related to my neck, because I had more problems with low cortisol during sleep. I also mentioned it to my chiropracter. Again, just a nod and no answers. Doctors don't seem to know anything these days. 🙄
