The Hemp Connection:
sleep disorders

Did you know that some of your most important metabolic processes occur when you are sleeping? And that disrupted sleep patterns can affect everything from your weight to your hormone balance (including insulin function and fertility to how quickly you age?

Nancy Carballo, co-founder of Insomniacfest, a resource center for sleep-related issues, will share her thoughts on sleep, and how to get more if you're not getting enough. Nancy Carballo is a non-traditional, postbaccalaureate premedical student. She earned a Bachelors of Arts in English/Creative Writing at the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a published author in different genres, including exhibit texts, journalism, poetry, and research. In addition, she served as Managing Editor for Impact, a health newsletter geared towards premedical students. She is currently a medical student in Los Angeles.

Nancy enjoys learning and teaching about brain processes that guide human sleep patterns and is co-founder of Insomniacfest. Her article “Sleep Hygiene: Can Everyone Afford To Give It Thought?” can be viewed at http://www.sleepvirtualnews.com/.

Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 2:00pm
www.blogtalkradio.com/incystforhormones

Insomniacfest is based on what we've learned in working with PCOS. So many women with this disorder sleep poorly, and it can be the basis for poor eating habits and lack of energy for sleeping.

Come by yourself, or come with your spouse! (When men don't sleep well it can affect their fertility, too).

We've planned yoga on the beach, a didgeridoo class, sleep friendly foods…and a special dinner in the dark served by the popular Opaque Restaurant. Oh! And some informational lectures as well.

For more information please visit www.afterthediet.com/insomniacfestschedule.html

Working with PCOS has taught me how prevalent the problem of poor sleep is. People who don't sleep well tend to gravitate toward caffeine and sugar all day long, and the vicious cycle can lead to insulin resistance and weight gain.

I've become increasingly concerned about the percentage of inCYST clients on Ambien and Lunesta, not to mention CPAP machines. I just have never been able to believe that this has to be the fate of the non-sleeper.

But…I also knew that even if insomniacs were motivated to spend all of a weekend day in a workshop designed to help them, they'd likely drift off right in the middle of it! So I've been working with colleague Nancy Carballo to develop an experiential alternative giving participants a chance to learn and experience a few different opportunities to look at insomnia a little more naturalistically.

I'm excited! We've planned yoga on the beach, a didgeridoo lesson (since this instrument helps to strengthen the muscles commonly weakened in sleep apnea), a couple of laid back lectures, and sleep-friendly eating (including dinner with popular LA dark dining restaurant, Opaque). Our spa partner in this endeavor, Creative Chakra, is also offering additional massages and light therapy sessions.

We have a Facebook page for the event…you can join us there to let us know you'd like to be notified when we open registration, or you can write me directly at marika@google.com

Anyone with insomnia, whether or not they have PCOS, is welcome to participate.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz you there!