Many people still believe that the perfect end to a busy day is with a few alcoholic beverages. As marijuana legalization continues to occur in more regions for its medicinal and recreational use, it is also likely going to be seen as a “safe” alternative used to relax before bedtime. Marijuana is also known by the terms, weed or cannabis.

However, as you are about to find out, any drug – legal or illegal, and that includes alcohol, because alcohol is also a drug – negatively impacts your sleep. All drugs alter the chemistry and functioning of your brain in some capacity.

Alcohol is considered a nervous system depressant. This does not mean that it causes the individual to be depressed, it means that it depresses – slows down – the functioning of your body and brain. Many people like to use it to reduce anxiety and induce relaxation. Continue reading →

So, you’ve been tossing and turning for the past hour unable to sleep.

Maybe you have a song stuck in your head, maybe you’re anxious about a job interview tomorrow, or maybe you just can’t find that perfect spot.

Whatever the reason for your long nights, there are some things you can do to improve your sleeping pattern.

When it comes to sleep there are two main issues at hand, one is the daily stress your body is exposed to, the other is the amount of the hormone melatonin present in your body, and often times one can hinder the other.

Melatonin is produced by the body as a sleep regulating agent, which according to the University of Maryland controls the body’s 24-hour “clock” or the circadian rhythm. Its proper function can be hindered by a number of factors including environment, stress, and diet. Continue reading →