Results of a new study found that eating less fiber, more saturated fat and more sugar is associated with lighter, less restorative, and more disrupted sleep. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160114213443.htm
Valerian root gives some people nightmares. Other people it helps to fall asleep. But it is a psychoactive substance anyways ... Fact is, that the intestines have a dense mesh of nerves around them, and many connections to the brain. It is likely that these connections are bidirectional, and that activitiy of the intestines influences the brain beyond the pure muscular activity of mixing and transporting the food and digestive juices. So the subtances it works with, has to work with, likely influence the signals that the intestines send back to the brain. A certain amount of fibers helps the intestines to work. So probably they can send "Hey brain, it's all dandy down here, you can take a break Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!" Not a prime source, but it confirms the bidirectional nature of the link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3817714/
Over the years I've found that if I don't eat anything with sugar in it or high calories 3 hours or more before I go to bed , I found that I went to sleep faster than if I munched upon sugary foods. I found that I could eat popcorn without the salt added with water to drink less than 3 hours before bed that it wouldn't bother me that much but still without anything to eat 3 hours or more is the best way, for me, to fall asleep quickly.
Sugar boosts the energy levels in your body. That's sure quite he opposite what you want before sleep Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! For me it's often bodily activitiy. If I'm too active before going to bed, I need some sortt of cool down persiod.
You shouldn't be giving out dietary info. You've had 4 or 5 heart attacks and a morphine pump imbedDed in your back.
A friend of mine has trouble sleeping and claims to have cured himself by eating lettuce every evening, contains something called lactucarium?
Warm milk with honey is also suggested as sleeping aid. In addition there are plants which are psychoactive, valerian roots make sleepy, passion flower eases tension and anxiety, and saint johns wort helps against depression. Hops is also considered a sleeping aid, melissa also, both have a calming effect. But I think including such psychoactive plants here is not quite what the original poster had in mind. But our food can meddle with our brain in various ways as it seems. Not only plants, but some fishes and mushrooms are psychoactive foods, too, likely some animals, but I have no examples of such ready.
The state you live in could also affect how you sleep. Here's some interesting data showing where in the US people get best and worst sleep. Apparently, people sleep best in South Dakota, Colorado and Minnesota, while Hawaii are the worst place to live if you want to get a good night’s sleep. http://www.statnews.com/2016/02/18/state-people-sleep-worst/
I believe that some foods we take in the evening could affect our sleep negatively. A person who can't sleep or has a problem in doing so must avoid caffeinated drinks and foods like coffee, tea, and chocolate.
