Anyone try the "wake up on time" pill?
July 23, 2009 3:19 AM Subscribe
Has anyone tried the "wake up on time" pill and can comment on it's effects.
Haven't tried it, but on it's ingredients, it's just pretty much a combination of B-vitamins and the dubious "Synergistic and Proprietary blend" (Guarana seed extract, L-Tyrosine, Eleuthero Root Extract (aka Siberian Ginseng). So I wouldn't say it works just looking at this. You can check out their specifics at NCCAM (sponsored by the NIH), for yourself.
posted by ruwan at 4:38 AM on July 23, 2009
posted by ruwan at 4:38 AM on July 23, 2009
I can't comment on it personally, but after checking the link and seeing caffeine as one of the ingredients in a "take before bed" pill I was sure it was a scam, then in the FAQ I saw:
Taken before going to bed, the ingredients are delayed to disperse throughout the body only at the end of the average persons sleep cycle so you wake up feeling refreshed, alert and full of enery.
which actually got me thinking that an 8 hour delayed release vitamin/caffeine combo might actually work.
Of course, lulzworthy questions in the FAQ like:
Does Wake UP On Time ephedrine?
got me thinking "scam" again.
I'm watching this question for more information, but as always caveat your emptors. If only Billy Mays were still with us.
posted by knowles at 4:45 AM on July 23, 2009
Taken before going to bed, the ingredients are delayed to disperse throughout the body only at the end of the average persons sleep cycle so you wake up feeling refreshed, alert and full of enery.
which actually got me thinking that an 8 hour delayed release vitamin/caffeine combo might actually work.
Of course, lulzworthy questions in the FAQ like:
Does Wake UP On Time ephedrine?
got me thinking "scam" again.
I'm watching this question for more information, but as always caveat your emptors. If only Billy Mays were still with us.
posted by knowles at 4:45 AM on July 23, 2009
Get a Sleeptracker. I plan to.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 4:57 AM on July 23, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 4:57 AM on July 23, 2009 [2 favorites]
I like nature's alarm clock: Drink 1-2 pints of water directly before going to bed.
posted by applemeat at 5:49 AM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by applemeat at 5:49 AM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Metalheart, there's nothing bullshit about caffeine waking you up, which is the core effect here, I think. If it's exactly as stated, and it is just a time-release version of caffeine (the B-vitamins won't work fast enough to matter) then there's no reason it shouldn't work. The timing will be tricky, but with a couple of experiments anyone should be able to find the sweet spot on exactly when to take them.
The website does look like typical scammy nutriceutical fare, and the hype and feel-good language is distracting, but the actual core idea sounds pretty freaking brilliant to me.
I want to try this. :)
posted by rokusan at 6:54 AM on July 23, 2009
The website does look like typical scammy nutriceutical fare, and the hype and feel-good language is distracting, but the actual core idea sounds pretty freaking brilliant to me.
I want to try this. :)
posted by rokusan at 6:54 AM on July 23, 2009
I can't comment on this pill, besides to say that like knowles I'm in the "it might work" camp, but for the record Provigil does this for me. I take one before going to sleep, and I can wake up very easily---especially if it's within the next 4--5 hours (which seems to be how long Provigil works for?). Makes me think that Nuvigil might work for longer sleep cycles (i.e. closer to the "normal" 7--9 hours range), although I guess there haven't been any head-to-head studies on efficacy, just Cephalon telling us that Nuvigil should work longer based on some kind of analysis.
posted by Jacen Solo at 6:56 AM on July 23, 2009
posted by Jacen Solo at 6:56 AM on July 23, 2009
which actually got me thinking that an 8 hour delayed release vitamin/caffeine combo might actually work.
I suspect you're right about how it works- think a timed-release Red Bull. Which you wouldn't want to get in the habit of putting in your body regularly. Screwing with your body chemistry like that on a regular basis is usually a bad idea, and combining it with messing with your sleep cycle just seems like a recipe for down-the-road problems.
The Sleeptracker looks neat, more if your problem is not simply waking up but getting out of bed. But if you're not getting enough sleep, go to bed earlier. That's it. A cup of coffee/tea in the morning may make you more alert, but it won't make you more rested. There is no magic bullet. Get more sleep. Respect your body's limits.
posted by mkultra at 6:57 AM on July 23, 2009
I suspect you're right about how it works- think a timed-release Red Bull. Which you wouldn't want to get in the habit of putting in your body regularly. Screwing with your body chemistry like that on a regular basis is usually a bad idea, and combining it with messing with your sleep cycle just seems like a recipe for down-the-road problems.
The Sleeptracker looks neat, more if your problem is not simply waking up but getting out of bed. But if you're not getting enough sleep, go to bed earlier. That's it. A cup of coffee/tea in the morning may make you more alert, but it won't make you more rested. There is no magic bullet. Get more sleep. Respect your body's limits.
posted by mkultra at 6:57 AM on July 23, 2009
Or, if you're not getting good enough quality sleep because of some issue (sleeping position, bed, pillow, sinus irregularity, allergies or postnasal drip that flares up at night, etc.) then go get a sleep study done and figure out why.
Also, one of the first manifestations of clinical depression is an inability to get up in the morning.
Summary: If you have problems getting up/started in the morning, something else is wrong and putting something into your body that's just masking symptoms is probably not a good idea.
posted by SpecialK at 7:56 AM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Also, one of the first manifestations of clinical depression is an inability to get up in the morning.
Summary: If you have problems getting up/started in the morning, something else is wrong and putting something into your body that's just masking symptoms is probably not a good idea.
posted by SpecialK at 7:56 AM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Seconding the Sleeptracker. It tracks when you are in light sleep and therefore have an easier time waking up, then wakes you during that time. Works well for me.
mkultra, there are many issues that can lead to feeling groggy in the morning that aren't helped by going to bed earlier, and it's not always easy to just "get more sleep."
posted by Nathanial Hörnblowér at 8:37 AM on July 23, 2009
mkultra, there are many issues that can lead to feeling groggy in the morning that aren't helped by going to bed earlier, and it's not always easy to just "get more sleep."
posted by Nathanial Hörnblowér at 8:37 AM on July 23, 2009
Snake oil. (Flame on!) Sleep stages are a function of brain waves. A wrist device (Sleeptracker) can't detect brain waves.
posted by JimN2TAW at 9:00 AM on July 23, 2009
posted by JimN2TAW at 9:00 AM on July 23, 2009
Nathanial Hörnblowér: mkultra, there are many issues that can lead to feeling groggy in the morning that aren't helped by going to bed earlier, and it's not always easy to just "get more sleep."
This is technically true, as SpecialK pointed out. But, these kinds of things affect a relative minority of the population. In general, the reason you're tired is because you didn't get enough sleep. A lot of the marketing on the Wake Up On Time site is tailored to show it as a remedy for not getting enough sleep.
posted by mkultra at 9:07 AM on July 23, 2009
This is technically true, as SpecialK pointed out. But, these kinds of things affect a relative minority of the population. In general, the reason you're tired is because you didn't get enough sleep. A lot of the marketing on the Wake Up On Time site is tailored to show it as a remedy for not getting enough sleep.
posted by mkultra at 9:07 AM on July 23, 2009
I'll have to try applemeat's method.
Some related links:
Steve Pavlina's How to Become an Early Riser
I've tried this and it really works. I was even waking up inexplicably at 5am instead of 6 until I realized a couple days later -- since I was trying this in the fall -- that Daylight Savings Time had pushed everything back by one hour!
Dual alarm clock method
supermemo.com article on sleep, discussing circadian rhythms and Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome
Sleep debt
Light therapy
posted by renovatio1 at 10:09 AM on July 23, 2009 [2 favorites]
Some related links:
Steve Pavlina's How to Become an Early Riser
I've tried this and it really works. I was even waking up inexplicably at 5am instead of 6 until I realized a couple days later -- since I was trying this in the fall -- that Daylight Savings Time had pushed everything back by one hour!
Dual alarm clock method
supermemo.com article on sleep, discussing circadian rhythms and Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome
Sleep debt
Light therapy
posted by renovatio1 at 10:09 AM on July 23, 2009 [2 favorites]
le morte de bea arthur: Don't bother. I longed and longed for one, and then gave in. Slowly it dawned on me, it just sets off an alarm the first time you move in the morning. Save yourself a hundred bucks and run some motion detection software with your webcam. Also, the alarm signal and the vibrate are really weak and often didn't wake me.
posted by Iteki at 10:12 AM on July 23, 2009
posted by Iteki at 10:12 AM on July 23, 2009
Oh almost forgot, here's a clever little alarm clock:
Flying alarm clock
posted by renovatio1 at 10:13 AM on July 23, 2009
Flying alarm clock
posted by renovatio1 at 10:13 AM on July 23, 2009
Response by poster: Lots of comments over night, so here's a summary reply:
0) I've always had a hard time getting up, from earlier childhood all the way to now (mid 20's)
1) I have no doubt that I have delayed sleep phase syndrome. If I don't keep track (but someone else does), I will go to bed 2hrs later every night (95% of the time).
2) I have the Sleeptracker, it works OK for the first month, but then you train yourself to not move when you're in light sleep. It's funny actually, you feel yourself start moving and you say "shit, you're gunna set off the alarm" =)
3) Tried light therapy at home for 3 months, didn't work, but it could have been the light I was using (can't remember the name off hand)
Anyway, I'm finally self-employed, so the sleep thing doesn't bother me as much anymore, I was just curious if anyone has tried it =)
posted by bumper314 at 3:13 PM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
0) I've always had a hard time getting up, from earlier childhood all the way to now (mid 20's)
1) I have no doubt that I have delayed sleep phase syndrome. If I don't keep track (but someone else does), I will go to bed 2hrs later every night (95% of the time).
2) I have the Sleeptracker, it works OK for the first month, but then you train yourself to not move when you're in light sleep. It's funny actually, you feel yourself start moving and you say "shit, you're gunna set off the alarm" =)
3) Tried light therapy at home for 3 months, didn't work, but it could have been the light I was using (can't remember the name off hand)
Anyway, I'm finally self-employed, so the sleep thing doesn't bother me as much anymore, I was just curious if anyone has tried it =)
posted by bumper314 at 3:13 PM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Re: light therapy. Were you using it correctly? You need to be in front of it within the first 30 minutes of your waking up. My father, due to his extreme bipolar issues in winter, was given a light set by his doctor. It worked really well...when he used it correctly. If he didn't use it within the first 30 minutes of waking up, it did nothing. Unfortunately, in his case, it was very hard to get up within the first 30 minutes to do the thing that would help him most for the rest of the day.
Self-employment is the route to go for our types. I need eight hours sleep, but I am typically awake for 20, so I feel your pain. Conforming to daytime working hours would literally kill me over time!
posted by metalheart at 6:44 PM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Self-employment is the route to go for our types. I need eight hours sleep, but I am typically awake for 20, so I feel your pain. Conforming to daytime working hours would literally kill me over time!
posted by metalheart at 6:44 PM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
By the way, while I know it's difficult for many because of their work life, I think those of us with different sleeping patterns need to stop viewing these patterns as negative. They just are what they are: different. If those of us who either prefer the extremes of morning or night can find a way to live accordingly, I think many of us will feel better.
Percentage of Night Owls, Early Birds and Intermediates in the General Population
Morning people and night owls show different brain function (w/Video)
The Truth Behind Night Owls and Morning People
posted by metalheart at 6:55 PM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Percentage of Night Owls, Early Birds and Intermediates in the General Population
Morning people and night owls show different brain function (w/Video)
The Truth Behind Night Owls and Morning People
posted by metalheart at 6:55 PM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I just wanted to follow up on this for anyone who's interested. I bought a bottle of the "Wake Up On Time" pills in question. My friend and I have been trying them out this week, but so far we haven't seen any results even though the pills claim to work on the very first day. We both tried a slightly higher dosage, but still nothing. Oh well... snake oil I guess you might say.
posted by bumper314 at 1:55 PM on August 12, 2009
posted by bumper314 at 1:55 PM on August 12, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
The ingredient in it that would wake you up is the caffeine, first and foremost. It's cheaper to have a cup of tea in the morning.
posted by metalheart at 4:38 AM on July 23, 2009 [3 favorites]