Insomnia, Trouble Sleeping, and Copper Toxicity

All information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.

Insomnia, or trouble sleeping, is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people in developed nations. It can cause daytime sleepiness, lack of focus, trouble concentrating, irritability, and other significant health issues.

Instead of trying to understand the cause, many doctors prescribe sedatives such as Ambien to help people sleep. These can definitely help, but they are habit-forming, somewhat toxic, and they do not address the underlying cause of insomnia. Those with insomnia often take other drugs, such as anti-depressants, due to problems caused by lack of sleep.

Natural sleep remedies may be less toxic, but they too do not address the deeper cause of insomnia or trouble sleeping.

Copper and Insomnia

In many cases of insomnia, the underlying cause is copper toxicity or copper imbalance. Excess copper tends to accumulate in the brain, where it has a stimulating effect. Copper stimulates the production of the catecholamines epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. These are neurotransmitters that speed up brain activity. This can cause the mind to race, making it hard to slow down and fall asleep. Copper has also been shown to block the effects of GABA, a calming neurotransmitter.

In women, insomnia may be worse before menstruation. This is when copper levels are highest in the body.

Other copper toxicity symptoms. Besides insomnia, copper toxicity is associated with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, fatigue, emotional sensitivity, mood swings, migraine headaches, PMS, acne and other skin issues, brain fog, a tendency for yeast infections, and more.

Copper and Personality. There is also a copper personality type. High copper individuals often have a warm, caring, sensitive, and emotional nature, often with an artistic orientation and a child-like quality. Less desirable traits include spaciness, racing thoughts, and naivete. The effect that minerals have on personality is a large and fascinating subject.

Sources of Copper

As a quick warning, please avoid birth control pills and copper IUDs, as these can cause the accumulation of excess copper. Other sources of copper include copper water pipes and high copper, low zinc diets, such as vegetarian and vegan diets. Many children today are born with excess copper due to imbalances in their mothers.

Correcting Copper Imbalance with Nutritional Balancing

In many cases, ending insomnia involves removing excess copper and improving copper metabolism. This involves restoring the adrenal glands and overall metabolism.

I do not recommend copper chelating drugs, such as penacillimine. These can pull some copper out of the body, but they also remove zinc other vital minerals. Also, these drugs do not address the underlying imbalances involved in copper dysregulation.

Hair mineral analysis can help assess your copper status and other causes of insomnia. The test can also be used to design a nutritional balancing program to remove excess copper and improve copper metabolism.

A holistic approach. Although nutritional balancing programs are not specifically designed for correcting copper toxicity, they are very effective for reducing excess copper and restoring normal copper metabolism.

Even if you do not have severe insomnia, a nutritional balancing program can help improve your sleep. Here are a couple emails I received from clients after a few weeks on a nutritional balancing program:

“Brian – I’ve been taking the supplements two times a day now. I haven’t worked up to three times a day yet nor have I completely switched over to the diet, but I’m getting there in baby steps. I have been very pleased with the physiological changes thus far: both my hypoglycemia and insomnia have stopped. I’m able to fall asleep and stay asleep all night without taking any sedatives.”

—BT, Virginia

I’ve noticed a shift the past few days. Prior to this past Saturday I was experiencing insomnia, wired & tired, very active mind, and low appetite. Since Saturday I’ve felt more tired and slept most of the weekend. My mind is calm and appetite has greatly increased. I’m happy to be sleeping so well. I’ve still been alert at work past couple days except for wanting to nap after lunch.

—Jennifer, North Carolina

To get started with nutritional balancing, order a hair analysis here or email me at [email protected] for a free introductory consultation.

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Brian Brezinski is a nutrition consultant, health researcher, and advocate for medical freedom. He has a private nutrition practice that helps people resolve chronic fatigue, low energy, and other common health problems. Call Brian for a free introductory consultation today: 703 485 8245

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