Often when I first engage with clients wishing to quit using cannabis products they raise the topic of how to achieve a proper nights rest without smoking their regular pre-bedtime 'joint'. In many cases there is evidence to suggest that the grim feeling arising from sleep deprivation acts as the catalyst for relapse. So the question for those wishing to smooth the passage through to becoming free of a dependence on marijuana is: What can be done to get that great night's sleep that seems so elusive?

Why Can't I Sleep! - Anyone who has been through a period in their life when they have suffered from insomnia will vouch as to the affect it has on a person's overall well-being. It is easy to imagine therefore the increased impact that fitful sleep patterns have on those also suffering from the myriad of other consequences arising when breaking away from a dependence on cannabis. In my practice as a Cannabis Cessation Specialist the first step is to understand in each individual case to what ratio the issues are physical versus psychological.

As an example 'Bob', in his capacity as a restaurant Owner, has for many years spent his evenings consuming large volumes of coffee and then returning home and smoking marijuana for 2 hours prior to sleep. Bob's attempt to quit smoking without adjusting his evening caffeine intake leaves him with a largely physical reason for his insomnia.

In another case 'Tony' has become accustomed to using cannabis in the evenings as a way of expelling the huge stress he feels whilst performing his job as a Stockbroker. When he does not smoke in the evening his anxiety levels raise to such a height that dispelling active thoughts related to work becomes impossible, as does then sleep.

What can I do? - Whatever the primary reason for your sleep issues the starting point has to be an honest appraisal of exactly what your routine is. It is important to detail every aspect of your typical evening activity. So begin by assessing your personal situation and remember to include; your mood patterns; food intake; exercise; alcohol consumption; any brain energizing intensive computer gaming; the typical period of time between going to bed and going to sleep; reading habits; TV time. Then try and apply the following useful rules:

• No caffeine after 6.00pm. This means all drinks containing caffeine and vast quantities of sugar. So beware not just coffee and many types of tea, but also avoid most fizzy drinks and hot chocolate products too. Remember lots of 'off the shelf' painkillers are packed full of caffeine so read the label carefully or avoid altogether.
• Get 'ready' for bed. A routine of falling asleep in front of the T.V. then waking in the early hours and trudging upstairs to bed will not give you the quality unbroken sleep period that you need to feel fresh and energized in the morning. So set a time (no later than 11.30 is a good general rule), brush your teeth, climb into your chosen sleep clothes and hit the bedroom.
• Clear your mind and relax into sleep. 15 minutes reading whilst in bed is acceptable, as is listening to some mood music. Personalized hypnotic suggestion recordings can also be a valuable aid to sleep (avoid the off the shelf mass market products - only those produced specifically for you are of any value). Computers and televisions are a definite no in the bedroom. Mobile phones need to be left in another room (no excuses on this one - if you need to use the alarm function on your cell phone then go buy yourself an alarm clock. As for sleeping with it under your pillow - forget it!)
• Don't swap dope for booze! Yes two bottles of red wine may seem to be a great way to doze off but you are simply exchanging one bad situation with another. Go with a green tea instead and you'll enjoy the relaxing feeling that comes from a component called Theanine. Of course, keep fluid intake in moderation as having to wake three times in the night to visit the bathroom will do nothing for your sense of vitality in the morning.
• Avoid nicotine. I always recommend that clients quit all smoking when they are withdrawing from cannabis use. Late night nicotine acquired through tobacco smoking will sabotage any effort that is made to gain restful sleep. If you are using nicotine 'patches' as part of your tobacco smoking cessation (there are better methods for the majority of people) then these must be removed in the early evening - trying to sleep with nicotine pouring into your body is hopeless, and the bizarre dreams that patch users report offer no assistance to those seeking sleep.
• Correct your melatonin levels. If you have not been fuelling your body with healthy foods and providing the correct vitamins and nutrients for melatonin to be naturally produced, then there may well be a case for giving your levels a 'boost'. Make no mistake you need this hormone to sleep. When it is dark (a dark bedroom is a 'must have' for a restful night) melatonin begins to work its magic inside your brain and allows you to get to sleep quicker and maintain deep sleep longer. Take as a supplement around one hour before you wish to sleep. You'll feel far more refresh when you awake. I recommend my clients always buy a synthetic melatonin product not one that is labelled as natural. 'Natural' melatonin supplements are produced from extracts of the pineal gland of animals (mostly sheep) and should be avoided.
• Add exercise to your life. Even it is just a brisk walk for twenty minutes the addition of daily exercise will give structure to your internal body clock. The fitter you are the better your sleep will be. The only exception to the 'exercise is good' rule is late evening high heart rate activity. If the only time you can get to work out is in the evening then allow a minimum 3 hours between exercise and sleep, or you'll be trying to rest whilst your body is still in a charged state. Of course there are forms of exercise which are ideally suited to creating a more relaxed mind and body such as Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi - all are highly recommended by those clients of mine who have adopted them as part of their overall commitment to personal well-being.

If you've got hemorrhoids, you probably can't wait to get rid of them...for good! Suffering from them can literally be a pain in the butt. All that discomfort and pain, straining while trying to pass a bowel movement, the shock when you see spots of blood on the toilet paper for the first time - I know exactly how you feel.

First of all, if you're seeing blood on your toilet paper it's important to go to the doctor to make sure it's nothing more serious. But if you're sure it's hemorrhoids, here are the secrets you need to know in order to get rid of hemorrhoids.

A lot of people get hemorrhoids because they're constipated. Constipation occurs when there's not enough fiber in the diet. When you're constipated, it's hard to pass bowel movements, which in turn puts strain on your anal muscles. When your anal muscles have had enough of the pressure and strain you're putting on them when you go to the toilet, they develop a hemorrhoidal condition.

So it's really important to eat plenty of fiber in order to get rid of hemorrhoids. That means eating fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Five to seven serves of fruits and vegetables daily is a really good start. Cut out white bread and eat wholemeal or whole grain bread instead. You can find out how much fiber each slice of bread has by looking at the nutrition panel on the packet. The higher the amount of fiber in each slice, the better!

Drinking plenty of plain water is good too, as water helps your digestive system break down all that fiber. Once you've gotten into the daily routine of eating plenty of fiber, your body will thank you by making it easy for you to pass those bowel movements!

Smooth and easy bowel movements mean no more strain on your anal muscles. So get rid of hemorrhoids by eating a fiber rich diet. But you'll need to keep it up for best results.

Antioxidants are everwhere nowadays....acai berry, pomegranates, blueberries, too many juice supplements, almost any health store is offering them!

All help detoxify your body of free radicals & toxins, and some companies go as far as saying they 'boost energy' or 'change the way you feel' (Depending on the products they're marketing).

However...

If you've tried these and didn't get any significant results or felt any different, no need to worry! They should not be the antioxidant groups to focus your detoxifying needs on. True these (food/vitamins/etc) sources may help your body slightly, but in the long run this isn't the answer.

Did you know, around the age of 20 your body starts decreasing the amount of Glutathione and ATP (also known as energy).

Glutathione? What the heck is that right?

Instead of doing a Wikipedia or google search, which will give indepth answers, here's a laymans way of putting it out there.

To keep it simple it is your body's MASTER ANTIOXIDANT

Well to put this into perspective 5 units of vitamin C = 1 unit of antioxidant and 1 unit of Glutathione = 1,000,000 units of antioxidant.

Simply put, if you have lower glutathione levels you get lower energy levels.

So how do I get more glutathione? It is created naturally by 7 trillion+ cells within your body.

How do I find out how low my glutathione levels really are? A blood test can be done to find out where you're at exactly.

Is there a way to reverse this process? Not every individual can, it depends on your bodies chemistry BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!

Where can I get more glutathione? You can't! Okay let me rephrase that, your body won't accept any 'glutathione suppliment'. You must take a specific combination of amino acids that can penetrate each cell in your body, in turn giving them the requirements to make more glutathione.

Sometimes it happens that some children suddenly refuse to go to school any more. In such situation, the parents are bewildered and find no way what to do. They try everything-pleas, threats, even beatings- but they don't help to the situation. Although depression among children is not as common as it is among adults, it is by no means unusual. There are a number of reasons why a child may become depressed. The most common is the stress in the family due to factors such as quarrels, child abuse or alcoholism. Another reason is genetic. While some of the indicators of depression, like sadness, excessive irritability and diminished self-esteem, are the same for adults and children, not all are.

Moreover, while the symptoms given below are commonly exhibited by children who are depressed, it's important not to jump to too hasty conclusions. Such behavior doesn't always indicate depression. You should seek psychiatric help only if the symptoms haven't been prompted by any obvious reasons, and if they don't disappear even after you talk things over with your child in a supportive, loving way. The most common signs of childhood depression are:

Clinging behavior: The death of a close relative, starting school, the birth of a sibling-are are some of the obvious reasons a child may feel insecure. However, if a child inexplicably starts clinging to you and expresses fears of separation, there may be something wrong.

No inclination to play: Depressed children often say they're bored, and stop playing with their friends.

Anti-social behavior: Lying, playing truant and stealing, could be signs of depression if the child has rarely misbehaved in such ways before.

Constantly putting oneself down: While depressed adults who feel worthless tend not to talk about it, many depressed children keep repeating how "bad" they are.

Bed wetting: Once children attain bladder control, they rarely lose it. So if they resume wetting beds, depression may be the cause.

Frequent nightmares: Practically all children get frightening dreams once in a while. But if your child gets frequent nightmares, he could be depressed.

Doing badly at school: Sodden school phobia can be a sign of depression. So can a marked decline in a child's scholastic performance.

Most cases of childhood cases can be successfully treated if detected early. So if you suspect that your child is depressed, seek professional help quickly. In any case, never brush aside a child's feelings as unimportant. Children deserve just as much respect as adults.