Aspirin Considerations

[Andromeda]

I recently tried taking just 1 tablet of aspirin as a means to get some decent sleep after a heavy night out on the town which saw me staying up till 4am. Normally I am very strict with my sleep patterns and never get up later than 7am, so obviously I wanted to avoid this typical wakeup, and it definitely worked. I even slept through a text message beep on my mobile which was right next to my bed. Normally it doesnt take much to wake me at all.

I am interested in the possibility of using asprin say once every 2-3 nights as a sleep agent. However I'm interested to know its neurochemical and endocrine effects. For example, what does taking aspirin do to cortisol and/or testosterone levels?
One thing I have read is that it increases normal sleep, but reduces REM sleep which is probably the most important sleep for restoring CNS function (important?)

Keen to hear your ideas re: the above.

[role model]

Originally Posted by Andromeda

I recently tried taking just 1 tablet of aspirin as a means to get some decent sleep after a heavy night out on the town which saw me staying up till 4am. Normally I am very strict with my sleep patterns and never get up later than 7am, so obviously I wanted to avoid this typical wakeup, and it definitely worked. I even slept through a text message beep on my mobile which was right next to my bed. Normally it doesnt take much to wake me at all.

I am interested in the possibility of using asprin say once every 2-3 nights as a sleep agent. However I'm interested to know its neurochemical and endocrine effects. For example, what does taking aspirin do to cortisol and/or testosterone levels?
One thing I have read is that it increases normal sleep, but reduces REM sleep which is probably the most important sleep for restoring CNS function (important?)

Keen to hear your ideas re: the above.

I think your heavy sleep had more to do with your heavy night out on the town till 4am. Taking 2-3 aspirin a week shouldn't affect much of anything.

[pmgamer18]

Originally Posted by role model

I think your heavy sleep had more to do with your heavy night out on the town till 4am. Taking 2-3 aspirin a week shouldn't affect much of anything.

It was just on CNN yesterday doing aspirin and pain killers OTC is now found to be bad for your liver.

[JustOne]

Asprin has benefits but can give you stomach ulcers, if you were to do it anyway you should use a low dose enteric coated asprin, but that still can cause ulcers in the intestines.

If you want to take a sleep aid try using valerian.

[role model]

Originally Posted by pmgamer18

It was just on CNN yesterday doing aspirin and pain killers OTC is now found to be bad for your liver.

I heard Tylenol but not aspirin is hard on the liver. And even 2-3 Tylenol a week won't cause any problems.

[zumper]

Do anyone know by what mechanism aspirin works as a sleep aid?

[role model]

Originally Posted by zumper

Do anyone know by what mechanism aspirin works as a sleep aid?

It never helped me get to sleep. I take a benadryl and a Melatonin. and sleep like a baby. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin

[Andromeda]

Originally Posted by role model

It never helped me get to sleep. I take a benadryl and a Melatonin. and sleep like a baby. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin

I have actually been taking melatonin from time to time. Just taken it the last couple nights in a row as a matter of fact to get some powerful sleep - and it works.

As to why aspirin causes stomach ulcers interests me too. I would put it down to the excess acidity caused by increased parasympathetic nervous activity leading to more digestive juices being produced?

Cheers

[role model]

Originally Posted by Andromeda

As to why aspirin causes stomach ulcers interests me too. I would put it down to the excess acidity caused by increased parasympathetic nervous activity leading to more digestive juices being produced?

Cheers

Asprin is very acidic (acetylsalicylic acid)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspirin

[Ramstein II]

Aspirin causes ulcers because it inhibits the COX 1 enzyme which is used to produce the mucus lining in the digestive tract and is also used in platlet formation (which is why it thins the blood).

Aspirin should not aid in sleep. If anything it will likely interfere with sleep. It acts like cortisol in one important way--it blocks prostaglandin formation. Cortisol is what wakes you in the morning. Aspirin will likely stimulate you, not make you drowsy.

Exogenous Melatonin use (popping melatonin pills) decreased LH which decreases Testosterone production. Not a great supplement for those of us interested in keeping T levels high.

[zumper]

Originally Posted by Ramstein II

Exogenous Melatonin use (popping melatonin pills) decreased LH which decreases Testosterone production. Not a great supplement for those of us interested in keeping T levels high.

Exactly.