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What's the big idea?
At the heart of your Zed-Time's functionality is a process known as Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES). This process utilises minute electrical stimulation for the therapeutic treatment of insomnia. In more enhanced forms the same approach is also used in addressing issues such as anxiety and depression.
CES was originally called 'Electrosleep', an innovative approach to the treatment of sleep disorders. Many early studies of 'electrosleep' were designed to learn whether or not small amounts of electric currents would actually put people to sleep. Such studies discovered that while currents did not necessarily put a person to sleep, they did accomplish some positive changes in the sleep patterns of people who complain of insomnia - hence its development as a sleeping aid.
The effects of CES
Studies show that the following effects of CES on insomnia can be expected:
- The delay before the onset of sleep is reduced, from perhaps one or two hours, or sometimes more, to the more normal period of twenty minutes or less.
- The number of awakenings during the night are reduced. That is, while insomnia may cause frequent awakenings during the night, and create difficulty in returning to sleep, those treated with CES typically awaken no more than twice during a sleep session. Also, after awakening, the return to sleep is achieved more speedily than previously.
- CES users spend more time in deeper sleep.
- Many users receiving CES treatments report feeling more rested when they awaken in the morning following CES treatments.
While some Zed-Time users begin to respond immediately the unit is used, most do not respond until after the second or third use. Some do not have their best response until several weeks of use have passed.
Over time, the Zed-Time sub-consciously trains the user - no matter what stressful interruptions have occured in the normal flow of daily life - to expect a good night's sleep, and creates a positive attitude to achieving a sleeping state.
How does CES work? (Here comes the science!)
As with a number of medicines, the exact physiological mechanism of CES is not fully understood. Research has led to the hypothesis that the pulses have a mildly stimulating effect on the hypothalmic area of the brain. Such stimulation causes the brain to manufacture various neurohormones that effect moods and emotions as well as returning cognitive capabilities to normal levels.
Nerve-signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters control whether we are asleep or awake by acting on different groups of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain. Neurons in the brainstem, which connects the brain with the spinal cord, produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine that keep some parts of the brain active while we are awake. Researchers have noticed that the CES pulses generate rapidly increased levels of serotonin (commonly associated with relaxation and calmness) and decreased levels of cortisol (one of the primary stress-related biochemicals).
There is a synergistic relationship between nutrients and CES. The brain uses amino acids as the building blocks or precursors with which to build neurotransmitters. It is therefore necessary to have adequate and specific nutrients in your bloodstream to get maximum benefit; the most effective nutrient program varies with your condition and current needs. Adequate digestion plays a major role in bioavailability of these nutrients. So if you want to sleep healthily, it will help if you eat healthily!
In addition, according to Chinese traditional medical theory, the shape of the human ear reflects the shape of a baby’s body; the acupressure points on the ear reflect the zones of the human body. Through stimulating ear acupressure points, the balance of the body can be maintained.
Western drug medicine has historically relied primarily on chemistry to heal and control pain. Microcurrent electrical therapy (MET) is based on the Chinese acupressure concept that the biophysics underlying the chemistry plays the major role in regulating bodily processes. Using waveforms at a level of current similar to the body's own, MET bridges cellular communications helping reestablish the normal electrical flow.
The concept of a bioelectrical control system is common to every form of healing ever developed in recorded history, except for drug medicine. The Chinese have a simple name for bioelectricity - 'chi'. There are 75 trillion cells in the human body; just like a battery, each cell has an electrical potential across its membrane. Western medicine does not yet fully appreciate the natural healing powers of the body or the bioelectrical systems that control them.
Western medicine has long had a pharmaceutical bias. But more recently, the holistic Chinese approach to the treatment of the body has gained wider acceptance. However, its deployment has been restricted and its use limited. And because its use has been restricted, it has also been difficult for people to find information on the Chinese approach to addressing medical problems. And then along came eBay!
The 'Zed-Time' Electronic Sleeping Aid combines modern electronic technology with ancient Chinese medical theory.
CES has been an international treatment approach for more than 50 years. Current estimates are that throughout the world there are between 50,000 and 100,000 CES units in use.
Women who have sought relief from the pain of labour may be familiar with a similar (although far more intense) process - Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS).
The effects of insomnia (lack of sleep)
I'm sure most people reading this page don't need anyone explaining to them about insomnia. For the few who've stumbled across this page almost by accident, here's a brief overview of insomnia.
From time to time insomnia - a chronic inability to fall and stay asleep - crops up in most every adult’s life. Doctors characterise insomnia as an impairment of sleep that reduces daytime function. It can be of dramatically varying duration, sometimes for a few days, sometimes for life.
Insomnia can be most commonly caused by life changes such as stress from work, health concerns, relationship issues, as well as the more obvious causes, such as noise! Some people are 'born' with insomnia, and have a lifetime's battle with it. Sleep is a key part of maintaining your health, affecting everything in your life, from how you feel to your relationships with others. Lack of sleep negatively affects your physical health, your ability to handle stress and your general mood.
Left untreated, lack of sleep will compromise your body's immune system and adversely affect your metabolism and memory. (On average, people are 55% less successful at simple memory tests after a sleepless night.)
Insomnia almost always affects job performance and well-being the next day. (Although insomnia can also be caused by extremely positive life changes - I'll bet Lottery winners don't sleep well for a few nights but they seem happy enough!)
In addition, any number of smaller things can trigger a sleepless night or two; but be mindful that even one night of disrupted or missed sleep can reduce productivity and increase the chances of accidents at home or work.
For short-term insomnia, doctors may prescribe sleeping tablets. Over time, the body's natural resistance to these tablets will increase, resulting in the requirement of an ever-increasing dosage to achieve the desired effect. For those seeking a good night's sleep, the Zed-Time is an alternative to habit-forming tranquilisers.
For some people insomnia becomes a more significant, longer-term, problem. If the problem persists for more than a week - or any time a lack of sleep begins to significantly interfere with your mood or ability to function - health experts would tell you it’s time to consult a doctor.
The stages of sleep
Until the 1950s, most people thought of sleep as a passive, dormant part of daily life, with everything in the body either switched off or turned right down. We now know that our brains are very active during sleep. Moreover, sleep affects our daily functioning and our physical and mental health in many ways that we are just beginning to understand.
During sleep, we usually pass through five phases of sleep: stages 1, 2, 3, 4, and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. These stages progress in a cycle from stage 1 to REM sleep, before the cycle starts over again with stage 1. As sleep deepens we pass relatively quickly through stages 1 and 2, before lingering in stages 3 and 4. Sleep then lightens before a period of REM sleep follows. This approximately 90-minute cycle is repeated throughout the night, the number of cycles depending on the length of sleep. REM sleep occupies approximately 25% of the total sleeping time.
The Zed-Time in its packaging, overlaying the instruction sheet
Using your Zed-Time
Whilst you can use the Zed-Time for an indefinite period without fear of any adverse effects, if after 30 minutes use it hasn't begun to move you into a state ready for sleep then it probably isn't going to achieve anything for you after another 30 minutes use. Better to go and listen to some soothing music for a while, or have a little read (see 'Tips for a Good Night's Sleep', below) and then perhaps give your Zed-Time another go.
In total, there have been 77 authenticated scientific studies on CES. 90% of these studies imply positive results. However, the Zed-Time will not benefit everyone. But it is assessed as being significantly effective for about 95% of the people who use it.
Contra-indications
To date, there are no known contra-indications resulting from the use of CES. However, CES should not be used without further medical advice by severe depressives and those affected by hypertension, epilepsy, lack of balance, palsy, pregnancy or those using implanted electronic devices such as cardiac pacemakers or insulin pumps.
Although the feeling of induced relaxation that may result from using your Zed-Time does not in any way impair reaction time, it is recommended that the Zed-Time is not used while operating dangerous or complex equipment or while driving. (Thus ends a paragraph stating the blazingly obvious.)
Tips for a good night’s sleep
Adapted from 'When You Can't Sleep: The ABCs of ZZZs' by the National Sleep Foundation.
Mild insomnia can often be prevented or cured by practicing good sleep habits. So...
Set a schedule
Go to bed at the same set time every night and get up at the same time every morning. Disrupting this schedule won't help you achieve sleep. 'Sleeping in' on weekends also makes it harder to wake up early on Monday morning because it re-sets your sleep cycles for a later awakening.
Exercise
Try to exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day. Daily exercise often helps people sleep, although a workout soon before bedtime may interfere with sleep. For maximum benefit, try to get your exercise at least three hours before going to bed.
Avoid caffeine
Particularly in the late afternoon and evening, avoid drinks that contain caffeine, which acts as a stimulant and keeps people awake. Sources of caffeine include coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, non-herbal teas, diet drugs, and some pain relievers.
Avoid alcohol
Using alcohol robs people of deep sleep and REM sleep and keeps them in the lighter stages of sleep.
Avoid nicotine
Smokers tend to sleep very lightly and often wake up in the early morning due to nicotine withdrawal.
Relax before bed
A warm bath, reading, or another relaxing routine can make it easier to fall sleep. You can train yourself to associate certain restful activities with sleep and make them part of your bedtime ritual. (Don’t read in bed, however; the experts say you should reserve the mattress for sleep or sex!)
Don't sleep past sunlight
If possible, wake up with the sun, or use very bright lights in the morning. Sunlight helps the body’s internal biological clock reset itself each day. Sleep experts recommend exposure to an hour of morning sunlight for people having problems falling asleep.
Don’t lie in bed waiting for sleep
If you can’t get to sleep, don’t just lie in bed. Do something else, like reading, watching television, or listening to music, until you feel tired. The anxiety of being unable to fall asleep can actually contribute to insomnia.
Control your bedroom environment
Maintain a comfortable temperature in the bedroom. Extreme temperatures may disrupt sleep or prevent you from falling asleep. Make your sleep environment as dark and quiet as possible - avoid bright lights and television.
Write it down and forget it!
Don’t dwell on daily problems. Instead, write a 'worry list' of items which you can deal with when you wake in the morning, then try to forget about them.
