B2 for sleep
Original post from Community Moderator Kori:
I was told by my neurologist that I should try 400 mg of B2 (aka riboflavin) and 360 mg of Magnesium for migraines. It seems to be working, but what I found out was the B2 was also helping my sleep. I ran out of the B2 and had trouble sleeping, but I didn’t put it together until I got more and the first night I started taking them again, back to sleeping really well. This is a new thing for me. I don’t fall asleep easy, nor do I stay asleep. I toss and turn like I’m on a rotisserie my husband says. So to find something that not only lets me fall asleep, but stay asleep too is great! I also take a prescription sleeping pill, but it is hit or miss whether it does anything for me. Nice to know I have an alternative.
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Has anyone else experienced anything like this
Signature
Kori
WEGO Health
Migraine and Mental Health
Community Moderator
“I was born to other things.”
Tennyson
Response from Ellen:
Hi Kori,
I didn’t receive any sleep benefit when I began the high dose Riboflavin (B2) that you are on. The addition of mag didn’t help either. Finding out that I have additional Vitamin B deficiencies (B2, B6, B7, B12) and getting them treated does seem at this point, to be helping me. At least I am dreaming again, and falling to sleep easily. My thyroid is also low, so this could be an influencing factor, but usually I don’t dream much with low thyroid.
Response from Kori:
How strange, I’ve found that since I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, I have had more and more vivid dreams. I wonder why the difference.
I’m sorry the B2 didn’t work for you. I recently ran out and had the same effect of not being able to sleep well again.
I was told by my neurologist that I should try 400 mg of B2 (aka riboflavin) and 360 mg of Magnesium for migraines. It seems to be working, but what I found out was the B2 was also helping my sleep. I ran out of the B2 and had trouble sleeping, but I didn’t put it together until I got more and the first night I started taking them again, back to sleeping really well. This is a new thing for me. I don’t fall asleep easy, nor do I stay asleep. I toss and turn like I’m on a rotisserie my husband says. So to find something that not only lets me fall asleep, but stay asleep too is great! I also take a prescription sleeping pill, but it is hit or miss whether it does anything for me. Nice to know I have an alternative.
?
Has anyone else experienced anything like this
Signature
Kori
WEGO Health
Migraine and Mental Health
Community Moderator
“I was born to other things.”
Tennyson
Response from Ellen:
Hi Kori,
I didn’t receive any sleep benefit when I began the high dose Riboflavin (B2) that you are on. The addition of mag didn’t help either. Finding out that I have additional Vitamin B deficiencies (B2, B6, B7, B12) and getting them treated does seem at this point, to be helping me. At least I am dreaming again, and falling to sleep easily. My thyroid is also low, so this could be an influencing factor, but usually I don’t dream much with low thyroid.
Response from Kori:
How strange, I’ve found that since I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, I have had more and more vivid dreams. I wonder why the difference.
I’m sorry the B2 didn’t work for you. I recently ran out and had the same effect of not being able to sleep well again.
Tags: b2, deprivation, disorders, insomnia, riboflavin, sleep
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ellen S on -
Hi Kori,
I just got the results of my sleep study back, and it appears that I'm not too efficient at going into REM. Since REM is where dreams occur, this explains a piece of the puzzle I suppose. I did read (and just created a post) about a few mentions of cortisol and maintaining sleep, but I'm still quite fuzzy on how this might be an issue for me. My thyroid issues are so long-standing that it's not much of a stretch that cortisol might be an issue. Since the supplements, I'm sleeping much better than before and honestly didn't see any point in doing the study, but my neuro wanted it anyway "just in case". I ran out of B2 again (it takes time and has to be compounded for me) and didn't notice a difference in my sleep, but I haven't been super great about the mag and calcium either, and I could be off-kilter with them I suppose.
How are you doing with the B2 protocol now? Still think it's helping? I hope it does... what a simple fix!!
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Permalink Reply by Ellen S on
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In working on a new blog post, I ran across important information about B2 that was never conveyed to me. I think it's important to share:
B2 taken at high doses can result in side-effects including increased sensitivity to the sun. Those with existing sun sensitivities such as Lupus, Porphyria, Melanoma or other skin cancer, etc can choose to slather on sunscreen throughout the day, but it may not be enough.
It seems the eyes also undergo changes that make them extremely sensitive to the sun as well. For Migraineurs who use B2 as a preventative this seems counter-productive as they already are ultra-sensitive to light. Changes within the eye can happen as a result of B2 (riboflavin) at high doses, and result in severe, permanent vision damage. Those on high B2 therapies are encouraged to be very vigilant with sunglasses in any light condition - sunlight, incandescent and fluorescent - as all sources emit the harmful rays that could result in serious health consequences.
For additional information, check out these WEGO Health pages:
Vitamin B
Vitamins and Supplements
Vitamin B Complex
Sleep Medication
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