Can’t Stay Asleep Because of High Cortisol - This Fixes it in One Night

Summary

This video explores the science behind sleep regulation and the benefits of grounding, a practice that connects the body to the Earth's natural electromagnetic field. The speaker discusses how grounding can help regulate cortisol levels, improve sleep patterns, and reduce inflammation. Through studies, including neonatal research, it’s shown that grounding can enhance parasympathetic activity, resulting in better sleep. The speaker shares personal tips, such as using probiotics, saffron, and magnesium, alongside grounding techniques like standing barefoot on the Earth or using grounding pads, advocating for their positive impact on overall health.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cortisol should decrease at night and rise in the morning to support healthy sleep and wake cycles.
• 😀 If you feel excessively groggy in the morning or amped up at night, it could indicate disregulated cortisol levels.
• 😀 Grounding (connecting to the earth) has shown significant effects on improving parasympathetic activity and sleep quality.
• 😀 A neonatal study found that grounding reduced skin voltage by 95% and increased vagal tone by 67%, helping babies transition to a calmer state.
• 😀 Grounding connects our bodies to the Earth's natural magnetic field, offering anti-inflammatory benefits and potentially improving sleep.
• 😀 Studies have shown that grounding can help reset circadian rhythms by reducing nighttime cortisol levels and promoting normal sleep patterns.
• 😀 Techniques like saffron, glycine, and probiotics can also help improve sleep by balancing the microbiome and supporting relaxation.
• 😀 Magnesium is another effective supplement for supporting better sleep quality.
• 😀 Grounding before bed can be done by standing barefoot in the dirt or using grounding pads to connect to the Earth’s energy.
• 😀 There’s emerging evidence that CO2 buildup in closed rooms can negatively affect sleep, highlighting the importance of fresh air during rest.
• 😀 Our ancestors likely slept on the ground or in close connection with the earth, and modern practices like grounding or opening windows can enhance sleep.

Q & A

What is cortisol's role in sleep and wake cycles?

Cortisol follows a natural rhythm, decreasing at night and rising in the morning. This rise in cortisol helps you wake up and feel alert, while a decrease at night promotes sleep. Disruptions to this rhythm can lead to sleep issues like grogginess in the morning or feeling amped up at night.

What are the signs of cortisol dysregulation?

If you feel extremely groggy in the morning or wide awake at night, it could indicate cortisol dysregulation. This may happen even if you're not experiencing stressful thoughts but simply feel too energetic or ready to start your day.

What is grounding, and how does it relate to sleep?

Grounding refers to connecting directly with the Earth, typically by standing barefoot on natural surfaces. It has been shown to influence the nervous system by reducing stress and improving parasympathetic (rest and digest) activity, which in turn can improve sleep patterns and reduce inflammation.

How did the neonatal study about grounding demonstrate its benefits?

In a neonatal study, babies in incubators exposed to high electromagnetic fields (EMFs) were grounded using patches. This reduced their skin voltage by 95% and increased their vagal tone by 67%, leading to more balanced parasympathetic activity, helping them shift from a stressed state to a more restful one.

What is the connection between grounding and inflammation?

Grounding has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. For instance, thermal imaging has shown a significant reduction in inflammation after just 30 minutes of standing barefoot on the ground. This effect is attributed to grounding’s ability to neutralize free radicals and balance the body’s electrical charge.

How does cortisol regulation impact sleep quality?

Studies show that grounding helps normalize cortisol levels. It reduces excessive nighttime cortisol, which allows for a restful sleep cycle, and it stabilizes daytime cortisol to support energy levels in the morning. Proper cortisol regulation is essential for maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm.

What other strategies, besides grounding, can improve sleep?

Other strategies that improve sleep include taking saffron or collagen before bed, consuming probiotics or fermented foods with dinner, and using magnesium. These help balance the microbiome and support relaxation, contributing to better sleep quality.

How does the use of probiotics contribute to sleep improvement?

Probiotics, such as the one recommended in the transcript (Seed), support gut health, which in turn can influence sleep quality. A balanced microbiome has been linked to better overall health, including more restful sleep and improved appetite regulation.

What are grounding pads and how do they work?

Grounding pads are designed to connect you to the Earth's energy while you sleep. They are typically placed on your mattress, with a grounding wire attached to a grounded outlet or a rod staked into the Earth. These pads help normalize cortisol levels and promote restful sleep by improving parasympathetic activity.

Why does fresh air impact sleep quality?

Fresh air can reduce CO2 buildup in a room, which can negatively impact sleep quality. Increased CO2 levels in the sleeping environment can disrupt rest, but opening windows and letting fresh air in helps reduce this and supports a healthier sleep environment.