And Now I Know

When I met Smith, which this place tells me was in the early-mid 2000s (what do we call like 2006 or 2007?  early 2000s?  I don't know!) 2006 or so, he mentioned that he had trained in acupuncture and that he thought it would help me with what was then occasional sleep issues.  (Crazy to think I've been struggling with sleep for over 15 years.  Ouch.)

So it would have been sometime around then that I first went to an acupuncturist and found it really did help relax my system (and me!)

That first practitioner at some point recommended I try a formula of Chinese herbal medicine and while I was skeptical of the "here's a bag of herbs to make into a tea" I was expecting, this was pre formed pills and all I needed to do was take a couple at night.  So I did.  And have been every night ever since.

The name of the capsule is Peaceful Spirit and while I could copy from websites what they're supposed to do, they just seem to help me sleep.

But they're also not inexpensive.  Most supplements aren't, and I'm still on a very low income and tight budget (that I rarely if ever stay within.  Sigh.)

So last month when I ran out of the herbs, I figured they probably weren't really doing anything anyway and were probably just a waste of money and I could sure afford to save some and I didn't bother calling to pick up any more (they're not available anywhere else that I've found, only through practitioners.)

And see?  I'm fine!  Totally FINE!  I just had a bad sleep, that's all.

And then another.... and another... and another and a week later I had my appointment and slightly sheepishly explained that I'd thought they weren't doing anything and that I would save the money and now wasn't sleeping well at all!  (SURPRISE!)  (No but actually I was surprised.)

So I bought another bottle and took some that night and could honestly feel the relaxation happening.  And I slept.  

Not perfectly every night, but better.

"Oh, it's placebo!" I hear someone (including past me) say.  Well, yeah, I figured they weren't doing anything at all and didn't really pay attention to stopping taking them and then I didn't put two and two together on the awful sleeps until about the third day in so if they *are* placebo?  Then my brain is frigging incredible and I'll keep paying for the pill to convince my brain, wait... is that how it works?  Anyway, all I know is I tried a baby experiment and found a result and I'm surprised but also relieved cuz damn if sleep doesn't make a night and day difference for me in four hundred ways.