Naturopathy & FSM for
- BETTER SLEEP - 

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Unfortunately, almost half of Australian adults report poor sleep quality, that is, having difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep. This impacts negatively on their lives, with almost half reporting two or more sleep-related problems, along with daytime sleepiness and fatigue.  Research indicates, adults who get fewer than seven hours sleep, whether for just one night or over several months, have increased concentration difficulties and mood disturbances compared with people who sleep seven to nine hours per night.[Adams RJ, Appleton SL, Taylor AW, McEvoy D, Antic N. Sleep health of Australian adults in 2016: results of the 2016 Sleep Health Foundation national survey. Sleep Health. 2017;3(1):35-42. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2016.11.005.]

 

Both physical and mental stress can impact sleep, but a key factor is the dysfunction of the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis. When the HPA axis is overactive, it produces higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, which can interfere with falling asleep by lowering melatonin levels, a hormone that regulates sleep. However, good quality sleep is essential for a healthy HPA axis, which helps the body manage stress and supports brain functions like learning and memory.

Cortisol levels are often measured to evaluate stress. Normally, cortisol decreases in the evening, but people with chronic stress have elevated levels at night, making it harder to fall asleep. Additionally, exposure to light, especially blue light from screens, at night disrupts the circadian rhythm, the body's natural sleep-wake cycle. This reduces melatonin production, increases alertness, and leads to difficulties in falling asleep and poor sleep quality.

To improve sleep, it's important to manage stress and reduce evening exposure to blue light from devices like TVs, computers, and smartphones.

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Sleep and the Brain 

What parts of the brain are involved in sleep? Well, I'm glad you asked.

At the clinic we are sooooo interested in the brain, nervous system, energy, biochemistry and physiology. When we think about sleep, we are thinking about all the things that influence and regulate sleep, starting in the brain. What part is affected, what is doing or not doing, and what can we do about it?

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Here are the main brain regions involved in sleep:

1. Hypothalamus: This region contains the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which is responsible for controlling the circadian rhythms, or the body’s internal clock. It responds to light signals from the eyes and helps regulate sleep-wake cycles​ 

2. Pineal Gland: Located near the center of the brain, the pineal gland produces melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. Melatonin levels rise in the evening to promote sleep and fall in the morning to help wakefulness .

3. Brainstem: The brainstem works with the hypothalamus to control the transitions between wake and sleep. It also plays a role in regulating REM sleep by controlling the signals that allow the brain to become active while the body remains in a state of muscle atonia (temporary paralysis)​ 

4. Thalamus: During sleep, the thalamus acts as a relay for information from the senses to the cerebral cortex. During most sleep stages, it remains quiet, letting the brain rest. However, during REM sleep, the thalamus becomes active, sending images, sounds, and other sensations that fill our dreams .

5. Basal Forebrain: This area promotes sleep and wakefulness. It releases adenosine, which builds up during wakefulness and promotes sleep onset. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the basal forebrain, preventing the onset of sleep​ 

6. Amygdala: The amygdala is involved in processing emotions and becomes especially active during REM sleep. Emotional stress and anxiety, which are processed in the amygdala, can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to disorders like insomnia.

7. Retina Health - The light spectrum is picked up through the eyes, information which drives and regulates circadean rythum. The way the brain responds to type of light around you signals and drives circadean rythum. 

 

Frequency-Specific Microcurrent (FSM) and Naturopathy work synergistically to improve sleep by addressing multiple physiological systems and underlying causes of sleep disturbances. By understanding and targeting key regions in the body and brain holistically, we seek to optimized to improve sleep quality and address various types of sleep dysfunction in an integrated way. 

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Naturopathy & FSM in Sleep Promotion

FSM targets specific frequencies to promote healing and balance in the body:

1. Autonomic Nervous System Regulation: FSM can help balance the autonomic nervous system by reducing sympathetic (fight or flight) activity and enhancing parasympathetic (rest and digest) activity, which promotes relaxation and better sleep quality.

2. Pain and Inflammation Reduction: By reducing inflammation and pain, FSM can alleviate discomfort that may disrupt sleep. This is particularly beneficial for conditions like arthritis or chronic pain syndromes that interfere with restful sleep​.

3. Cellular Repair and Function: FSM enhances cellular energy production (ATP) and promotes tissue repair, which can improve overall health and support better sleep. Improved cellular function can help the body transition smoothly through sleep cycles​.

4. Mood and Mental Health: FSM can help improve mood and reduce anxiety by promoting the release of neurochemicals like endorphins, which enhance well-being and relaxation. This can address mental health issues that often disrupt sleep, such as anxiety and depression​.

5. Adaptation and Resiliency - Modulating how the body reacts to stress and working with cortisol balance nutritionally and Naturopathically are important when it comes to sleep disturbance. Looking deeply into why this happening usually leads us here in some way. 

6. Gut Health: Digestive issues can contribute to sleep disruption. Gut health is closely linked to sleep quality. Conditions like IBS, IBD, and SIBO can contribute to sleep disorders. 

7. Diet and Lifestyle - Changes that align harmonically with the body's needs help the body relax and unwind better at night.

 

​Quality sleep involves a complex interplay of biochemical processes, genes, nutritional status, and personal stressors playing out in the body. There is a lot to think about when someone isn't sleep.

 

Some of the key biochemical factors that contribute to sleep include:

• Melatonin Production: Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness. It helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle by promoting drowsiness and lowering body temperature. Melatonin production is influenced by exposure to light, with levels typically rising in the evening and declining in the morning.

• Neurotransmitters: Various neurotransmitters play a role in sleep regulation. For example, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and sleep by reducing neuronal activity in the brain. Serotonin is another neurotransmitter involved in sleep, mood, and appetite regulation.

• Adenosine: Adenosine is a neurotransmitter that accumulates in the brain throughout the day and promotes sleepiness. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors.

• Cortisol: Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that follows a diurnal rhythm, peaking in the morning and declining throughout the day. Elevated cortisol levels, particularly in the evening, can interfere with sleep onset and maintenance.

• Body Temperature: Body temperature regulation is closely linked to sleep. Core body temperature naturally decreases in the evening, signaling the body that it's time to sleep. Disruptions in this temperature regulation can affect sleep quality.

• Inflammatory Markers: Inflammation in the body can affect sleep quality and duration. Elevated levels of inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), have been associated with sleep disturbances.

• Hormonal Regulation: Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid hormones can influence sleep patterns. Fluctuations in hormone levels, such as those that occur during menstrual cycles or menopause, may affect sleep quality in women.

• Nutrient Availability: Adequate levels of certain nutrients, such as magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, and B vitamins, are essential for promoting relaxation and maintaining healthy sleep-wake cycles.

• Stress Response: Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to stress can disrupt sleep by increasing arousal and alertness. Chronic stress and elevated levels of stress hormones like cortisol can contribute to insomnia and other sleep disorders.

 

Combined Approach

By combining FSM and naturopathy, patients can receive a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses multiple factors influencing sleep. FSM can provide immediate physiological benefits, while naturopathic approaches can support long-term health and sustainable sleep improvements.

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References:

1. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (n.d.). Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep.

2. Harvard Medical School. (n.d.). How Sleep Works.

3. American Sleep Association. (n.d.). Sleep and the Brain.