Causes of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is without doubt one of the fastest growing lifestyle disorders. Needless to say big pharma are falling over themselves in an effort to "provide" us with a cure. Knowing more about, as well as the causes of sleep apnea, could well free us from the grasp of the money grasping pharmaceutical companies.

While it is common knowledge that snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, few people realize that snoring can actually cause the disorder. Arguably, even in the ab snoring is sleep apnea in progress

Snoring and sleep apnea, symptom or cause

While snoring has long been accepted as the audible, and often most annoying symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), this doesn't always paint a very truthful picture. Not only someone suffering from OSA, snoring could be viewed as the build up to an apneic episode. It could also lead to the development of sleep apnea.

Although for a variety of reasons, obstructive sleep apnea is essentially the result of an enlarged soft palate and or tongue blocking the airways.  The reason they become enlarged is the vibration of the palate,  as a result of snoring, causing delicate tissue to become inflamed. To start the process, all we need is a temporary cause of snoring. A common cold or medication that resulted in over relaxed throat muscles, or even sleeping on one’s back can cause the tongue and soft palate tissue to fall to the back of the throat.

This claim is supported by the fact that in several instances, use of both PAP machines and oral devices over long periods, resulted in a reduction in the number, or severity, of apneas. due to swollen soft palate being able to heal and therefore shrink. However it is not beyond reason that this tissue, once scared, will remain sensitive. Visit here to see learn about other sleep apnea causes

Herbal Sleep Remedies

Where herbal sleep remedies and other sleep meds are concerned, big Pharma has got its greasy paws deep inside our pockets. Even though their own prescription drugs have their drawbacks. Such as side-effects, limited access and prohibitive costs. Evidently just some of the reasons why  an increasing number of us are turning to herbs. Most of these potions have been tested for centuries by herbalists and naturopaths. As opposed to the standard 6 months of testing for the average pharmaceutical.

The two main reasons that the use of herbal medicine has been actively opposed are borne of ignorance and greed. Due to religious influence, herbal medicine was suppressed in Europe for centuries. Many herbalists were burned at the stake as witches. Simply for their remarkable knowledge of the natural world. Herbal sleep remedies aside.  The teaching and learning about all  herbal medicines was sent deep underground.

This old spiritual stigmatization of  "folk medicine" carried over into the early 20th century. Research of natural herbal cures was dropped for good. Favoring the financially more lucrative chemical approaches. The fact that profit from herbal cures was beyond the reach of the pharmaceutical companies was purely coincidental.

It could well be argued that between them they have successfully managed to stymie over a century of herbal knowledge. Not just herbal sleep remedies.  This hasn't stopped the modern-day pharmaceutical industry from plundering native understanding about herbs. However it has actually restricted the public financing opportunities for existing studies. Ultimately resulting in less competition. So we have a double taboo against researching herb. Made up of an age old religious doctrine combined with industrial commercial interests.

However; let’s not be fooling ourselves: Natural does not always mean safe. Some herbal sleep cures can neutralize other prescription drugs. Especially if  mixed with alcohol or sedatives. Other herbs can greatly increase the effect of antidepressants. Always seek a second opinion from the quack if you have doubts. Don't forget to do your homework prior to attempting any natural solution. Not just for herbal sleep remedies. Simply Google the herb of choice followed by “interactions” if you are taking medication

Cognitive Enhancement with Nootropics

No one can argue, nootropics is the way to go for cognitive enhancement . But just what are nootropics? depending on who you listen to, there are two very distinct opinions on what nootropics are. In one corner there are those that  argue a nootropic substance is one that stimulates the brain. Regardless of how long a period.  In the other corner we have those that argue cognitive enhancement must be through an increase in neural capacity. Both argue that theirs is the smart drug

Defining a Nootropic
I don't doubt for one minute that the food and drugs industry will hijack the word nootropics if they get a whiff of our money. So let's draw a line in the sand. They can have the word stimulant. That we will give them. We will also concede that a nootropic will not produce any noticeable cognitive enhancement effects immediately upon ingestion. The "cocaine effect" is theirs to keep.

A nootropic on the other hand will provide cognitive enhancement by different means. Primarily by stimulating the growth of new neurons.Also by increasing oxygen supply to the brain but without ramping up the old ticker.  Essentially an increase in brain capacity.

The most obvious criteria for a nootropic must be that it is non-addictive, which arguably eliminates all stimulants at the very first hurdle. Below is a list of some basic qualifying criteria for any nootropic. Any substance that does not possess all of these (and more) is out of the window, or at least off the menu.

1. Protect the brain from physical and mental injury
2. Enhance learning capacity, even under pressure
3. Enhance memory and learning
4. Is capable of passing the blood brain barrier
5. Increase the brains metabolism of glucose (not short term)
6. Increase oxygen flow to the brain (not short term)
7. Not have any short term effect upon heart rate
8. Must have zero to very low toxicity
9. No increase in size of blood vessels (vasodilation)

Smart Drugs For Dumb asses?

The chemicals involved in cognitive thought

need replenishing, obviously, at least where Red Sox supporters are concerned, some more than others. Most often these chemicals are made in the brain. From primary parts, these must invariably come from our diet, or at least from dietary supplements and medication. As the chemicals become depleted, so the chances for the proverbial cock ups increase, along with increased response times, lack of coordination and slowed response times. Last but not least there’s the mood aspect, which accounts for us flying off the handle and blaming everyone but ourselves for our failings. So, as you can see, it’s not gonna do us any harm to clue up on these little fellas.