Case History: DMAE, Arginine/Ornithine, DHEA, Melatonin

James Daugherty (jhdaugh@a-albionic.com)
Sat, 14 Sep 1996 07:11:59 -0400 (EDT)


Over six months ago I asked the list what I might do to "need less
sleep". Someone suggested DMAE, Arginine/Ornithine, and Melatonin at
bedtime. The results were great! Sorry I can't remember who made the
suggestion! But, thanks!

At the time, I thought I was just suffering from the exhaustion of
being involved in a precarious business venture (not my book business)
that required burning the midnight oil quite often. I was irritated that
I would fall asleep just about any time I sat down to read, watch TV, or
talk to a friend. When I would go to bed at a normal time I could sleep
no more than 3 or 4 hours. I would wake up worrying about tasks ahead of
me. I should have known something more was involved, a chronic sleep
disorder of some type, probably brought on by age....I am 54 now. The
objective situation was not that different from College or earlier
business problems when I maintained a rather normal sleep schedule.

100 mg of DMAE and 4 grams of Arginine/Ornthine w/varying doses of
melatonin at bedtime almost immediately restored my power to control my
sleep in a normal manner. After I have been up late, I might get tired
early the next evening, but can control once again when I decide to go to
bed. I would estimate that I can now get along with 6 hours of sleep per
day with no discomfort while historically I needed 7-8 hours.

The amount of melatonin seems to make little difference re: the
sleep disorder except as regards dreaming. The DMAE seems to be the main
factor. Melatonin alone didn't help much though I felt better. I tried
melatonin before I got the DMAE advice. I had been taking the
Arginine/Ornithine in the AM with the rest of my supplements previously.

I began taking DHEA (25mg) in the am about 2 months ago. No big
change occured though I think I felt a little better and my sex appetitie
increased some.

A woman friend who has had problems with depression on and off
felt much much better with DHEA.

James Daugherty

PS. Now! If I could just get the discipline to exercise regularly!