I have an odd ZMA question. From the other comments posted here, ZMA seems to provide universally great sleep to the rest of mankind; but not for me.
In fact, when I take ZMA, I can hardly sleep at all. It does make me feel mildly sleepy temporarily, but after that I have extremely fitful sleep in which I wake up 4-5 times during the night. I also have extremely vivid dreams (which isn’t unexpected.)
I would still like to take ZMA due to its other benefits, so I have a question – can I take it earlier in the day? Is the recommendation to take it before bed simply because it usually improves sleep quality, or does it have anything to do with efficacy or absorption?
[quote]RankHypocrisy wrote:
I have an odd ZMA question. From the other comments posted here, ZMA seems to provide universally great sleep to the rest of mankind; but not for me.
In fact, when I take ZMA, I can hardly sleep at all. It does make me feel mildly sleepy temporarily, but after that I have extremely fitful sleep in which I wake up 4-5 times during the night. I also have extremely vivid dreams (which isn’t unexpected.)
I would still like to take ZMA due to its other benefits, so I have a question – can I take it earlier in the day? Is the recommendation to take it before bed simply because it usually improves sleep quality, or does it have anything to do with efficacy or absorption?[/quote]
Sure. Take it earlier in the day. Just try not to take it with a meal that has significant amounts of calcium.
ZMA wasn’t really designed to help with sleep–just turned out to be a benefiical side effect (in most people).
BTW, if you have trouble sleeping in general, stand by for some cool news from Biotest on the supplement front.
I have the same problem with ZMA and have seen people making similar complaints. I recently tried taking it earlier in the day and it carried over into the night and I had the same problems. Every time I’ve taken ZMA I’ve had no other night time supplements. I think some people just have this reaction, I have no idea why though.
I had a similar problem when I started taking ZMA, but found after continuing use for a few nights (maybe a week, I can’t really remember) that I started to sleep very well and wake up refreshed and alert. You don’t mention how much long you have used it but maybe try using for a few nights in a row?
Yea I have the same problem as the OP, it happens to me (waking up, too vivid dreams etc) and I only take a max of one cap a night. Stopped taking it at night now, sometimes take one during the day if I feel like it. Generally don’t bother now.
Perhaps your diet is good enough that you don’t need it.
Pretty much same problem here. I am relatively new to the supplement game, and I read up on the benefits of glutamine and zma, and they fit my particular situation quite well (college student, need all the good sleep I can get, need to be able to recover as fast as possible, etc.). So, with the last protein order I decided to grab some glutamine and zma.
I don’t know if I slept any worse than usual, but I definitely did not sleep any better with zma. Most likely, I will not bother with zma any more, I know nothing is gonna be a magic pill, but it made zero noticeable difference, so why bother.
I had this same problem. What worked for me is adjusting the dosages. What i do now, is that i will take one or two earlier in the day, and then one or two at night before bed. On the days i do not workout, i tend to only take one at night, but otherwise i take two at night. But no matter what, i do end up with 3 total caps a day.
Yea sorry I didn’t really allude to dosages - I NEVER take more than 1, and if i take it it’s during the day. Never at night anymore or stupidly vivid dreams.
