ZMA problems

Torobestia

Torobestia

Well-known member
Hey all. I first started taking TP's brand of ZMA a while ago, probably back in Feb or March. It had ZMA plus GABA powder. The GABA made it kind of hard to fall asleep, but when I finally did I slept so hard (from 6-8 hours to almost 10) that I had to use my alarm again. And after 10 hours of sleep, or even at 8 hours, or 6, or even 5, I would feel completely refreshed, and ready to kick ass.

I ran out of that, so it was time to buy again. I read that GABA should be cycled, so I looked for a brand without it (plenty out there). I started up on SNS ZMA about a month ago, but the road has been very rocky. I have consistently had problems making it to 8 hours of sleep, and I usually wake up after about 4-5 hours. 4/5 times I can fall asleep for another hour or 2, but whether I do or dont, I dont feel that well throughout the day - I am definitely sleep deprived. The feeling has only gotten worse, and while this was definitely not the sole/major cause, I did fall asleep while I was at the gym yesterday.

Anyways, looking to see if people have had this problem with certain ZMA brands/formulas, and if they have a brand/formula that works best for them.
 
I honestly hate ZMA for sleep. Some people like it

It either keeps me up at night, or gives me horrible nightmares
 
Torobestia said:
Hey all. I first started taking TP's brand of ZMA a while ago, probably back in Feb or March. It had ZMA plus GABA powder. The GABA made it kind of hard to fall asleep, but when I finally did I slept so hard (from 6-8 hours to almost 10) that I had to use my alarm again. And after 10 hours of sleep, or even at 8 hours, or 6, or even 5, I would feel completely refreshed, and ready to kick ass.

I ran out of that, so it was time to buy again. I read that GABA should be cycled, so I looked for a brand without it (plenty out there). I started up on SNS ZMA about a month ago, but the road has been very rocky. I have consistently had problems making it to 8 hours of sleep, and I usually wake up after about 4-5 hours. 4/5 times I can fall asleep for another hour or 2, but whether I do or dont, I dont feel that well throughout the day - I am definitely sleep deprived. The feeling has only gotten worse, and while this was definitely not the sole/major cause, I did fall asleep while I was at the gym yesterday.

Anyways, looking to see if people have had this problem with certain ZMA brands/formulas, and if they have a brand/formula that works best for them.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean, I fell asleep at the grocery store yesterday (not srs). How did you fall asleep at the gym? LOL

GABA is a strange supplement. For me, it essentially works as a stimulant for me for the first 30 mins. post-dose then I crash out hard and sleep like a baby.

I'd suggest using the ZMA product w/o GABA and then add GABA separately. That way you can experiment and fi d a dose that works for you.
 
The majority of ZMA products will be the same, I've always experienced better sleep + vivid dreams using SNS ZMA.
 
I would also like to throw in a recommendation for MST's ZMK. I always get great sleep when using it, with very vivid dreams
 
AE14 said:
I would also like to throw in a recommendation for MST's ZMK. I always get great sleep when using it, with very vivid dreams
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X2 was gonna say the same thing. High quality and works fine for me.

You can always take your zma with some valerian root extract to ensure a good nights rest. It's all natural and never read that it needs to be cycled. Just make sure it's a quality extract- 0.08% Valeric Acid (should be cheap $$ too).

i use valerian whenever i'm cycling a stim based fat burner to help me get to sleep.
 
monstermash said:
X2 was gonna say the same thing. High quality and works fine for me.

You can always take your zma with some valerian root extract to ensure a good nights rest. It's all natural and never read that it needs to be cycled. Just make sure it's a quality extract- 0.08% Valeric Acid (should be cheap $$ too).
Click to expand...

Coupled with MVP :bigok:
 
AE14 said:
I would also like to throw in a recommendation for MST's ZMK. I always get great sleep when using it, with very vivid dreams
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Same here! Sometimes a bit too vivid, but doesn't occur that often.. I do like the great sleep you'll get from em!
 
I took primaforce ZMA for awhile then added GABA in and melatonin sometimes. GABA would get me amped up sometimes after I took it and the same with ZMA. I would have crazy dreams and wake up like 5 times before my alarm at 4 am
 
winwrightsa said:
Got to agree with the nightmares.

I wouldn't say they have all been horrible, but at least very memorable.
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I wont touch ZMA, literally is torture to try and sleep with it


Many people like it tho, so try it out if you are curious, but if you start getting horrible nightmares....just give up :p
 
I found when it worked (every other night maybe?) I slept great that is until the vivid to the point of almost being nightmares woke me up. Never had many before or after taking it FWIW


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
 
Powercage said:
I wont touch ZMA, literally is torture to try and sleep with it


Many people like it tho, so try it out if you are curious, but if you start getting horrible nightmares....just give up :p
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It's interesting that you react that way, this is honestly the first I've ever heard a report like that. I've been using ZMA for a few years, and have always enjoyed it. Definitely offers a more restful sleep, although it does nothing for helping me get to sleep. I've never experienced any issues from any of the brands I've used starting years ago with ON, and currently using SNS ZMA now.
 
make sure you are taking in a bit of extra copper to balance out the zinc. I suggest making sure your multi has a bit in it, then you got it covered.
 
MakaveliThaDon said:
make sure you are taking in a bit of extra copper to balance out the zinc. I suggest making sure your multi has a bit in it, then you got it covered.
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Very good point. Excessive zinc intake can deplete copper stores, although most multi-vitamins contain small amounts of copper which I have found to be sufficient.
 
antihero said:
It's interesting that you react that way, this is honestly the first I've ever heard a report like that. I've been using ZMA for a few years, and have always enjoyed it. Definitely offers a more restful sleep, although it does nothing for helping me get to sleep. I've never experienced any issues from any of the brands I've used starting years ago with ON, and currently using SNS ZMA now.
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Yea, it works for most people. There's just a portion it screws with for some reason.
 
Thanks for all the info, guys! These are some things I will look into and take into consideration.

I definitely have my copper in check. I get plenty in the vitamin and from food, so no worries there.

I'm curious about this valerian. I know I tried melatonin at least twice with the new ZMA and it didn't help at all, which makes sense as the problem wasn't falling asleep but staying asleep. And I can't say I'm having nightmares, although I've heard I toss and turn a lot in my sleep nowadays (whereas on GABA I woke up in the same place I fell asleep in, which historically has never happened on a regular basis).

On topic, is it in fact necessary to cycle off GABA and for how long?
 
Torobestia said:
Thanks for all the info, guys! These are some things I will look into and take into consideration.

I definitely have my copper in check. I get plenty in the vitamin and from food, so no worries there.

I'm curious about this valerian. I know I tried melatonin at least twice with the new ZMA and it didn't help at all, which makes sense as the problem wasn't falling asleep but staying asleep. And I can't say I'm having nightmares, although I've heard I toss and turn a lot in my sleep nowadays (whereas on GABA I woke up in the same place I fell asleep in, which historically has never happened on a regular basis).

On topic, is it in fact necessary to cycle off GABA and for how long?
Click to expand...


Valerian root may be helpful for you, personally melatonin was incredibly effective for me, but everyone is slightly different. I don't use GABA regularly, although I do periodically when I really need a good nights sleep.
 
antihero said:
Valerian root may be helpful for you, personally melatonin was incredibly effective for me, but everyone is slightly different. I don't use GABA regularly, although I do periodically when I really need a good nights sleep.
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Agreed, I like valerian root


Be prepared for shallow rapid breathing with GABA. Its normal, but scary if you arent prepared for it
 
Powercage said:
Agreed, I like valerian root


Be prepared for shallow rapid breathing with GABA. Its normal, but scary if you arent prepared for it
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It's the "cellular shakes" that get me at first =p
 
baldwanus said:
i used to get what i would consider "night terrors" when taking ZMA, no bueno.
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Powercage said:
I wont touch ZMA, literally is torture to try and sleep with it


Many people like it tho, so try it out if you are curious, but if you start getting horrible nightmares....just give up :p
Click to expand...

antihero said:
It's interesting that you react that way, this is honestly the first I've ever heard a report like that. I've been using ZMA for a few years, and have always enjoyed it. Definitely offers a more restful sleep, although it does nothing for helping me get to sleep. I've never experienced any issues from any of the brands I've used starting years ago with ON, and currently using SNS ZMA now.
Click to expand...

im 100% with cage on this one.....i absolutely cant stand it
 
Yup when I was taking ZMA I'd have acne problems, and a very hard time waking up in the morning. My whole day I'd feel tired and out of it, even in the eyes. I stopped taking it and I feel great. I even lowered the dose and still had the same sides. Could have been the brand of ZMA but ZMA is ZMA so I don't know what was the deal.
 
Powercage said:
Agreed, I like valerian root


Be prepared for shallow rapid breathing with GABA. Its normal, but scary if you arent prepared for it
Click to expand...

except for the fact that valerian root smell feet. I never found it did anything.
l-theanine and phenibut are great for sleep. just dont use phenibut often its addictive similar to GHB.

I wonder why ZMA keeps some people awake? strange.
Vivid dreams means REM which is where GH pulses are biggest.
 
NomZ said:
The majority of ZMA products will be the same, I've always experienced better sleep + vivid dreams using SNS ZMA.
Click to expand...

I have experienced the same. Nothing but great things. However, I am aware that this is not the case for everyone.
 
Switched over to Primaforce ZMA for first time ever. Had been using MST or ON. Took for first time last night, dream was so vivid that i thru a haymaker mid sleep at face of strange creature in dream, woke up with fist connecting with my clock/radio. Crazy sh!t son, crazy. Can't wait to see where tonite takes me.
 
Huh. Been taking GABA for a while because it seems to be one of the few natural supplements that helps calm down my anxiety issues a bit. Haven't really noticed any interactions with ZMA. How much GABA do you guys usually take? I have it in powder form and I take barely any of it, but very often like every 2 hours or so.

Tried valarian root and couldn't really tell if it was doing anything. Might try 5-HTP again.
 
Torobestia said:
Hey all. I first started taking TP's brand of ZMA a while ago, probably back in Feb or March. It had ZMA plus GABA powder. The GABA made it kind of hard to fall asleep, but when I finally did I slept so hard (from 6-8 hours to almost 10) that I had to use my alarm again. And after 10 hours of sleep, or even at 8 hours, or 6, or even 5, I would feel completely refreshed, and ready to kick ass.

I ran out of that, so it was time to buy again. I read that GABA should be cycled, so I looked for a brand without it (plenty out there). I started up on SNS ZMA about a month ago, but the road has been very rocky. I have consistently had problems making it to 8 hours of sleep, and I usually wake up after about 4-5 hours. 4/5 times I can fall asleep for another hour or 2, but whether I do or dont, I dont feel that well throughout the day - I am definitely sleep deprived. The feeling has only gotten worse, and while this was definitely not the sole/major cause, I did fall asleep while I was at the gym yesterday.

Anyways, looking to see if people have had this problem with certain ZMA brands/formulas, and if they have a brand/formula that works best for them.
Click to expand...
grab form bulk GABA from nutra and ZMA pills. done! and you can adjust GABA dose whiel still taking ZMA.
 
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