You should not exceed 2-3 mg of melatonin. Its a case of less being more. Personally, melatonin loses efficacy after 2-3 days of use.
5-htp is a godsend for all types of things. It's the metabolic precursor to seratonin(happy juice). One step closer than tryptophan, which is the stuff in turkey which makes you tired via the same biological route.
Vitamin C helps with absorbtion and other various stuff i can't remember right now.
A good B complex will help these chemicals pass the blood brain barrier I believe. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. It will also turn your piss funny colors(b6).
Valerian has never really done much for me, and neither has Kava, but i've heard good relaxing reports of both. I can't get past the smell of valerian to take it regularly. St. John's Wort also helps some people.
Taking a combination of the above works for me on a limited basis or for only a few days at a time spaced out by a week or two. They will also provide for pretty lucid dreams.
Pot will help most people get to sleep, but its horrible for REM sleep and lucid dreaming.
Alcohol can help one get to sleep, and while it initially inhibits REM, as it wears off it increases the effect.
Ambien(zolipidem tartrate, no generic in the US yet...) is a godsend for insomnia. Ask your Doc about it. He most likely won't want to prescribe it to you for more than 30 days, as it may be habit forming. It is more to help you get on a sleep schedule. You have some pretty crazy dreams on it and there is a sort of trip if you don't fall asleep.
Xanax or valium or almost any other benzo, most notably restoril(a hypnotic benzodiazepine) will help you fall asleep, especially if you are stressed and/or have thoughts running through your mind all night.
DO NOT take over-the-counter sleep aids that contain diphenhydramine. Its very liver toxic, bad for your brain, and even worse for restful sleep. You WILL wake up feeling like shit.
You could always also try good old exercize. Sex works well for me.
I go through cycles where I take different things, but nothing works for long for me. An ambien/xanax/1-3 beer combination is almost guarenteed everytime, but horrible for your liver.
If anyone knows anything better to help me also, please, do tell. You aren't the only one with insomnia.
