Different methods work for different people. You can usually automatically ignore someone's advice when they say "don't take this..." or "This is the trick..." or crap like that because they obviously don't understand that everyone reacts differently to everything. Yes you can generalize about some things, such as the weird amnesia with Ambien, but NOTHING is universally true with these methods. I tried kava root, which is supposed to be awesome, but it did nothing for me. I also tried Tylenol PM and it did absolutely nothing. I know other people who say this stuff knocks them out. A buddy says if he takes Tylemol PM with ONE beer it knocks him out (and you won't find a credible doctor that will say you will cause liver toxicity with a tylenol and one beer). Anyway, it didn't work for me.
I always just try to finish whatever chores or business I have so I don't have to worry about it when I'm trying to sleep. I try to wake up realatively early even when I don't have to so I won't be wide awake at night. A fan for white noise. A cool room. And 5-10 mg ambien only ONCE EVERY FEW DAYS if I really need it. Tolerance to it builds up quickly, so you need to take breaks from it often. I have had NO side effects from it. I have woken up early on it, because I don't have the CR type. Usually I'm able to fall back asleep anyway.
I think the bottom line is: Take everything everyone says with a grain of salt. Try it if it sounds reasonable.
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