Hi all! Haven't been around much lately, so much going on here!
I've been experiencing severe insomnia lately and was wondering about an herbal sleep aid I used to take for insomnia. Does anybody have experience taking Kava Kava? I can't find anything with MG and this herb. Any info will be much appreciated! Thank you
Jessica

I did a web search on kava kava and come up with two interesting pieces of info:

1) risk of serious liver damage: kava kava effects the liver enzymes in such a way that the potency of both it and other drugs already in the body are elevated. While not a lot of tests have been done, one must presume that it will interact with any drug.

2) it has an effect on the central nervous system and it expressly warns for those with Parkinsons.

So while nothing on MG specifically, it may not be a good idea. And if you decide to use it, I would make sure hubby knows and is watching you closely for any negative impact.

I think that the first thing to do is get a B12 test.

When people cannot convert B12 to methyl form in the body, or are not absorbing it properly and it is low for that reason, then you cannot make melatonin from serotonin to help with sleep.

Methylcobalamin is the cofactor for this conversion, and the result would be insomnia.

When tested you want to be at 400 or above (US units) as lab ranges still report lows in the 200-300's as "normal" and they are not.

Taking methyl form if low bypasses the methylation process which may be a DNA mutation in about 10% of people currently.
(some studies are suggesting a higher %, but that is not really proven yet).

So making sure this system is working properly should be the first thing done, as it is correctable and very inexpensive and non-toxic.

I don't know much about what you are asking about, but Meletonin (mostly in the herbal part of the drug stores) helps a lot of people that doesn't have any help issues. I use it... I don't sleep longer but seem to sleep sounder.

good luck

randy

If you are not making your own melatonin, that would signal an error somewhere along the line.

Many people are low in B12 for various reasons. Some of the members here take B12 in fact.

I offer this as a first step to fixing your problem. Taking extra melatonin does not fix low B12 which also impacts the nervous system in many ways.

What you take may not be working as your own melatonin would.

It is up to you. A B12 test is easy to get from doctors.

I should have read this a little closer,... I agree with the B12 check... not sure about anywhere else, but it is not part of a routine blood work and needs to be a "special" request,
low vitamin B12 can also lead to depression. I was on the low side of normal and was able to bring the levels up with just sub-q tabs.

randy