Stimulation Sedation Syndrome and the Exhaustion Epidemic
Might you be experiencing the Stimulation Sedation Syndrome? That’s what I am calling the way many people live in our modern culture—using stimulating and sedating substances to manage their moods and energy.
Stimulation Sedation Syndrome – Are YOU Part of the Exhaustion Epidemic?
by Elson Haas, MD
Let me explain this a bit more, since you may recognize this pattern. You wake up a little tired and groggy. It’s possible that you didn’t sleep well, which is all too common, but you can’t sleep in because you have to get to work and/or get the kids off to school. So you need a little energy boost to get moving in your day. Most likely, you have a cup or two of coffee or stimulating tea or some caffeinated soft drink. And on the way out the door, you may grab something to eat, and that’s often something sweet.
The day looks to be demanding, and your energy comes and goes, so you consume more caffeine and sugar—often in the form of pastries, candy or chocolate—perhaps you have a soda or one of those so-called “energy drinks” that are loaded with even more caffeine and sugar.
Then, in the evening when you get home, you’ve tired yet also a bit wired, so you have an alcoholic drink or two to relax, or you may use medical (or recreational) marijuana to calm down. You might even eat a bit too much to settle down, and then you go to bed with a half-full stomach. Perhaps, you use prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids that are plentiful and easily available.
Even with all these uppers and downers, you still experience two of most common health issues of our time—fatigue, either chronic or short-lived, and sleep deprivation from insomnia. You have trouble falling asleep, or toss and turn during the night, then wake up feeling tired and needing caffeine and sugar in the morning—starting the whole vicious cycle all over again. Does any of this sound familiar? That’s the Stimulation Sedation Syndrome in a nutshell. It’s extremely common; in fact, I believe it is an epidemic in our society, and very possibly in the entire westernized world.
To learn more about Stimulation Sedation Syndrome, watch the video below.
When I travel around the country doing presentations on integrative medicine or detox practices, I often ask my audiences if they recognize the Stimulation Sedation Syndrome and typically I find that the majority of them do—close to 80 percent by my count. They are using daily stimulants and sedatives and many of these people are fairly health conscious. I find a similar pattern with the patients at my clinic in Northern California. They are habituated to stimulants and/or sedatives in order to function. Are you? If so, it’s time to get a handle on balancing your moods and energy.
The Stimulation Sedation Syndrome really is an epidemic that compromises the health of many people in the US and the modern world. And because it is culturally acceptable in our busy, fast-paced society and working culture, and even encouraged and supported by commercials everywhere we look and listen, most of us don’t even realize what we are doing to ourselves because using these substances is so commonplace. We don’t normally think of them as drugs, nor do we talk much about addiction in this context, but in truth, these daily habits, especially when maintained over many years, can seriously undermine the foundation of our health. Thus, we should take them quite seriously and, if we can, try to take a break and restore some balance, which allows us to begin to see the relationship we have to our favorite substances. Are they supporting or undermining our health?
I suggest people begin with a simple assessment of their lifestyle habits and then create a plan of action to address their consumption of substances and foods that are not really benefitting them. Are you willing to take an honest look at your lifestyle habits, with the idea that this is the most important part of your world to support your health potential? At the very least you may consider making a temporary change, just to give your body a break as a first step and give yourself an opportunity to see if you can feel better with just some simple changes.
Our sleep, or lack of it, is one of the first places we see the results of disrupting our natural energy patterns with stimulants and sedatives. Sleep is a key factor in our overall health — one that is often ignored in deference to getting everything done or to late-night activities, such as TV, computer or phone time.
Some reports suggest that over half of Americans experience sleep deprivation with multiple negative health outcomes. These include increased risk for infections, heart disease, depression, impaired cognitive functions, and a greater chance for accidents.
Have you imagined what it would it be like if you slept really well and woke up feeling energized with natural excitement for your day—without the need for stimulants? What if you weren’t so stressed at the end of the day and could relax naturally and sleep deeply?
Truly, many of us have lost touch with how we might feel without stimulating and sedating substances. We’ve lost touch with our Natural Energy. We continue to rely on the stimulants day after day and don’t realize our bodies could use a break. Even just a short break can help you get back to your natural rhythms and energy cycles. The goal is to stay in better harmony with any substance relationship and be aware of how it affects us. It’s possible to use caffeine, alcohol, sugar and/or cannabis in positive ways that support our life and even benefit our health. Look at what’s happening with the explosion of medical cannabis products available, and the many conditions and people they are helping.
Health is our greatest wealth. Health is ENERGY! Imagine it as your bank account for life. Are you making regular health-and-vitality-enhancing deposits or just withdrawals that deplete your health assets?
Imagine living on your own intrinsic energy and tuning into your real cycles for sleep and daily activities, which includes adapting to the changing seasons. I want you to rediscover this genuine natural energy and vitality that you have the potential to experience!
Over the last 40 years treating thousands of patients, I have discovered what works and what doesn’t when you want to make this kind of transition. Successful lifestyle change can be a truly empowering experience. Will you join me in this experiment/experience?
On my website, www.ElsonHaasMD.com, I offer a 7-day guided program called Regain Your Natural Energy with daily videos and overall support to help people reduce and eliminate their potential risks. By taking a break from overused or habitual foods and substances, specifically caffeine, sugar, and alcohol, this process helps you to isolate and clarify what undermining habits are causing problems, and then take action to address them. It matters what you put in and on your body. Your health starts with you and the lifestyle choices you make every day. For me, this is the first step in improving health.
You will also enjoy 7 Ways to Recover from Emotional Burnout
About the Author
Elson Haas, MD is a long-time integrative family physician who is the founder and director of Preventive Medical Center of Marin, an integrative center in San Rafael, CA. Elson is also the author of a dozen books on health, nutrition, and detox, including Staying Healthy with Nutrition, The Detox Diet, Ultimate Immunity, and Staying Healthy with NEW Medicine: Integrating Natural, Eastern and Western Medicines for Optimal Health.
