14 replies to this topic

[niner]

I recently got some zinc picolinate (Swanson, 22mg elemental) and started at two per day, intending to drop back to one after a week. I couldn't believe how it affected me- it wasn't just that I couldn't sleep, but I was very jacked up. A single 22mg cap taken after breakfast had a smaller effect but still kept me from sleeping. Has anyone else seen this effect? Anyone know what the mechanism is?

[theconomist]

I recently got some zinc picolinate (Swanson, 22mg elemental) and started at two per day, intending to drop back to one after a week. I couldn't believe how it affected me- it wasn't just that I couldn't sleep, but I was very jacked up. A single 22mg cap taken after breakfast had a smaller effect but still kept me from sleeping. Has anyone else seen this effect? Anyone know what the mechanism is?

How peculiar, I take zinc picolinate (25mg) as part of my pre bed stack and I sleep like a baby.
Ashwaghanda,melatonin,l-tyrosine and taurine are the other supps I take with it.
I also take it alone before bed from time to time or a few hours before magnesium but the result is similar; I sleep very well.

[MizTen]

Yes, I've had major insomnia from taking zinc at doses over 10 mg in the 2 hours before bed. I've tested this, so I'm sure it's the zinc.

High doses (over 10 mg for me) during the day cause too much stimulus.

Edited by MizTen, 04 November 2013 - 04:34 PM.

[niner]

Yes, I've had major insomnia from taking zinc at doses over 10 mg in the 2 hours before bed. I've tested this, so I'm sure it's the zinc.

High doses (over 10 mg for me) during the day cause too much stimulus.

Was it picolinate, or some other form? Chromium picolinate is also reported to cause sleep issues, though more often that one appears to be drowsiness rather than insomnia.

[MizTen]

Yes, I've had major insomnia from taking zinc at doses over 10 mg in the 2 hours before bed. I've tested this, so I'm sure it's the zinc.

High doses (over 10 mg for me) during the day cause too much stimulus.

Was it picolinate, or some other form? Chromium picolinate is also reported to cause sleep issues, though more often that one appears to be drowsiness rather than insomnia.

It was probably not picolinate. This was a few years ago. But it definitely taught me to keep my supplemental zinc low.

[Arjuna]

I've been taking 30mg optizinc for a long time with no issues. I'm experimenting with higher doses and it may be causing my insomnia as of late. Zinc, like magnesium, is nmda antagonist and should help induce rest. Zinc is a dopamine reputable inhibitor which partially explains the vivid dreams, but not everyone is getting the insomnia only some, so I doubt it is dopamine alone causing insomnia. Zinc increases T4 conversion to T3, which means if you are are hyperthyroid (which I am because of iodine supplementation) your thyroid hormones will be even higher, which means TSH will drop, which means dopamine will be raised, and zinc will block reputable of the dopamine. I could be wrong about all this, as my insomnia could just be a fluke, but my thyroid is certainly in a state of over function, and zinc may have pushed it further. I'd like to find the highest dose of zinc that my body can handle because the mental and physical effects are phenomenal, it should be considered as important as magnesium, vitamin d, omega 3, or a multivitamin.

So I'm suggesting it might be:
Hyperthyroid: zinc insomnia
Hypothyroid: zinc sleepy time

Edited by Arjuna, 04 March 2014 - 01:19 PM.

[lourdaud]

Interesting thread. I have the same problem: 10 mg zinc picolinate in the morning and I'll have big troubles going to sleep.
What form of zinc would be preferable instead of picolinate?

I've been taking 30mg optizinc for a long time with no issues. I'm experimenting with higher doses and it may be causing my insomnia as of late. Zinc, like magnesium, is nmda antagonist and should help induce rest. Zinc is a dopamine reputable inhibitor which partially explains the vivid dreams, but not everyone is getting the insomnia only some, so I doubt it is dopamine alone causing insomnia. Zinc increases T4 conversion to T3, which means if you are are hyperthyroid (which I am because of iodine supplementation) your thyroid hormones will be even higher, which means TSH will drop, which means dopamine will be raised, and zinc will block reputable of the dopamine. I could be wrong about all this, as my insomnia could just be a fluke, but my thyroid is certainly in a state of over function, and zinc may have pushed it further. I'd like to find the highest dose of zinc that my body can handle because the mental and physical effects are phenomenal, it should be considered as important as magnesium, vitamin d, omega 3, or a multivitamin.

So I'm suggesting it might be:
Hyperthyroid: zinc insomnia
Hypothyroid: zinc sleepy time

Why should NMDA antagonists help to induce rest? IME, they make it harder to go to sleep and also infer with sleep quality.
And I really doubt zinc (picolinate) insomnia is caused by increased conversion of T4 to T3.

[Arjuna]

I'm doubting it is the thyroid thing to. You both are taking the picolinate form, so it could be that protein or acid. Zinc is still an effective dopamine reputable inhibitor, but 10mg is very low.

[ModusOperandi]

Took one swanson 22mg Picolinate first day today in the morning and slept 2 times in day naps( 15-25 min) with very vivid deep dreams. My beloved told me i snored the last time, i usually never snore. I'm skinny lol. Let's see how the night goes.

[montana2012]

Has the community decided on whether OptiZinc is better absorbed than Zinc Picolinate?

[niner]

Has the community decided on whether OptiZinc is better absorbed than Zinc Picolinate?

 

I'm not aware of a consensus one way or the other, but in my experience, zinc doesn't need a lot of help.  I'm splitting tablets as it is, just to avoid getting too much.  My main concerns with zinc would be dosage, side effects of the particular form (like picolinate insomnia that some experience, for example, or GI issues), availability and cost.  I also look for a zinc supplement that hasn't been spiked with copper, something that the industry seems to think is an added value.

[NeuroNootropic]

For the past 2 days I've taken 50 mg of Zinc Picolinate and I've been having the worst sleep of my life. It took me 2 hours to fall asleep as I was constantly tossing and turning and then when I slept I kept waking up frequently. It's weird because I don't feel energized nor stimulated, I still feel fatigued. Also, I'm able to sleep just fine when I take stimulants like caffeine, wellbutrin, methylphenidate, even a combination of modafinil+selegiline+wellbutrin.

 

I've taken 30 mg of OptiZinc in the past and it has not had this effect. It must be the picolinate.

[Strelok]

I have pretty bad insomnia, and am fairly aware of when something exaccerbates it or helps it.  I got some Swanson's Albion Chelated Zinc (zinc glycinate) that I've been taking off and on for the past 3 weeks or so, and I have not noticed it making anything worse.  Dose = 30mg

[GreenmachineX]

Been taking zinc picolinate on and off the past month or 2, and as of today realized it’s causing terminal insomnia. I stopped taking it for other reasons about 1 week ago and slowly my sleep improved; 2 nights ago I actually finally got 8 hours sleep and felt great. But, took 30 mg last night and now have been awake since 2am. Not taking that anymore!

[Matt]

I experienced vivid dreams when I first started taking zinc picolinate, but they went away after about 2 weeks.

 

No issues with my quality of sleep after taking up to 100 mg a day (I had a deficiency). I take 22 mg per day now and am still fine.