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Quote:
I would give anything to not dream.
 Why?
If you're lucky enough to remember your dreams you can gain great insight into yourself. On the few occasions that I can actually remember my dreams I am quite surprised at how they tie into what I was doing or stressing over in the recent past. (Of course being able to correctly decipher the dream is another story).
I am a smoker (please, don't throw anything at me) and have tried Chantix as a possible "cure". I didn't last four nights.... WEIRD, WEIRD dreams. 
I'm not sure if dreams are chemically caused but you raise an interesting question (whether those with higher amounts of natural melatonin in their bodies dream differently).
I do know, however, that diet can determine how we dream. Back in the day when I was able to eat pretty much anything, I'd have really vivid, whacky dreams after eating something like a sausage pizza. Dunno what caused it but it never failed.
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Saul (IBS - D)
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Melatonin is a hormone that your body makes itself. It starts to decline as you age and by the time you are in your late 40's early 50's you are making less than younger people - that is thought to be why older people sleep less. The best way to make sure your body is making enough melatonin is to sleep in a dark room! You shouldn't use it for more than a few months at a time if you decide to use it. Younger people usually don't 'need' it as they still make plenty of it themselves.
Kava Kava is safe to use for a similar amount of time. Most herbal remedies for sleep are the same in that way. I have used Kava and Valerian Root with no intestinal problems at all. In fact if you google either one, i.e. Kava for IBS, they will say that these can be helpful with IBS as they help relax you. But there is no one sleep remedy that should be taken on a continual basis - with the exception of Chamomile (it is very mild and doesn't work the same way as kava or valerian root - it's good for IBS too!)
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I suspect it is more complicated than just excess melatonin that causesed vivid dreams. Sleep is modulated by many things including other regulators such as a variety of neurotransmitters and hormones, anxiety, body temperature, etc.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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I used to take 5mg melatonin for my insomnia and it only worked when I got myself into bed and ready for sleep in 20 minutes, which is how long it took. Otherwise, it didn't help me.
Recently diagnosed with UC, and having feelings of depression and insomnia, along with amitriptyline (an old anti-depressant used for cases of IBD), my naturopath put me on Optimized TryptoPure Plus by LifeExtension - a natural sleep enhancement and stress reducer (www.lef.org)
This combo helps me get to sleep and stay asleep and manage my current state of depression. I also drink St John's Wort Tea, Stress Ease Tea and found valerian root to always help. And, Bach's Flower Essence: Rescue Remedy
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"Peace is not the opposite of agitation. It is the absence of agitation. It is a completely relaxed and restful state." Amma
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Hi,
I replied to one of your posts in the Chrohns/Colitis board. I too use the Bach Flower rememdies. I see a lady every other week who does energy work and makes up an individual blend for me. The flowers work great.
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Once in a while I have really pleasant dreams. In fact last night I dreamt I was in my twenties and met Shia Le Beouf (the actor from the latest Indiana Jones and Transformers). That was a good dream. Otherwise the bad and very vivid and crazy dreams far outweigh the occassional good one. They leave me kind of confused in the morning trying to decipher what actually happened. That is probably why my memory is so unreliable and haphazard.
I find that I take after my mom in this as well as many other things. So for me it seems hereditary.
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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I have had amazing success with supplemental Melatonin and Tryptophan. My body clock was beyond confused and I did not sleep deeply when I slept until I started with Melatonin and 5HTP. Within 3 days, I came off my "vampire" cylce and was clear-headed and functional during daylight hours. My depth of sleep improved and I know experience R.E.M. sleep instead of just shallow sleep. My IBS-D benefits from the deep/complete sleep/rest cycle and I have no ill effects to note. My medical doctor recommended these supplements for me, incidentally. Truly, I had not slept in years until I gave them a shot. When I skip them for a few nights, I fall hard into the old cycle of sleeplessness and stress as a result of sleeplessness. Honestly, regular deep sleep takes a huge chunk of stress off and makes IBS so much easier to manage. Stress gives me D and so sleep is part of the whole equation.
If you're chronically sleep-deprived and stressed as a result, I urge you to give Melatonin and Tryptophan a shot if it is supported by your family doctor.
They took KavaKava off the market in Canada a few years ago, so I can't vouch for it. I can't drink camomile tea due to horrendous hayfever and allergies. I've tried prescription sleeping pills but the backlash hang-over type feeling interfered with the safe operation of motor vehicles for me. I like mental clarity!
Kate/Wind
IBS-D. Stable.
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