[IPguy442]

I am not 100% ready to blame it on IP because I experienced this years ago as well, however the last few weeks (maybe 3?) I have had a hard time falling asleep.
It honestly could be job stress or excitement over my IP progress, but it sometimes takes me 2-3 hrs to fall asleep each night. When it started happening I dusted off my old melatonin bottle and within 30-45 minutes later. Can sleep but then don't really want to wake up.

Is this a normal side effect? Is there by chance caffeine in the chocolate drink I have each night as a snack?

[SeattleNP]

I had a lot of trouble sleeping the first week - but then, I also had trouble concentrating, had a headache and could not get out of my own way I was SO exhausted. I doubt there would be caffeine in the chocolate since there is none in the cappucino drink (I asked). It could be your hormones surging as your fat cells release them.

[Tomi]

I am experiencing this too - I feel tired and yet not sleepy at night. I'll have to try melatonin. I'm getting only about 6 hours of sleep and really need more.

[eandc2006]

I definitely experienced this when doing phase 1 (I have been maintaining for several months now). It was horrible! I was so tired physically and emotionally from the diet but really struggled to sleep. In general, I really didn't feel great like others report while on IP. I felt anxious and all over the place. I think there is a lot of artificial ingredients in the foods which can trigger sensitivies. Maybe try a sleep aid if it doesn't improve.

[lisa32989]

I had sleep disturbances for at least 6 weeks.

The estrogen released when fat is burned upsets many hormones in the body, including cortisol. It also can affect thyroid and adrenal function.

Many things to be monitored by a good quality practitioner.

[accgy]

I seem to have the opposite, I feel like I cannot get enough sleep, I'm going to sleep at least 1 hour earlier than I used to and wake up to wanting to go back to sleep... been on IP for 7 weeks now, at least I don't feel drained and weak anymore like I did at the start

[LilacPants]

As my body was going into ketosis on about the 4th day, I had trouble sleeping. Intensely wound up, like I was on something. It lasted a few days. This happened both when I initially started IP and when I went back to it. The only other time I have been that wound up at night was when I accidently took too much allergy/cold medicine years ago.

[workingit50]

I experienced sleep challenges and the odd thing was I was not tired, I was wired and energized. It lasted for a few weeks and I took OTC Advil PM occasionally. It passed for me. It is really important to get quality sleep.

[kaplods]

Insomnia is a normal response to significant calorie and/or carb restriction. It's usually temporary though your sleep needs can also apparently change. I'm not on IP, but I do have a lot of experience with dieter's insomnia.

Without sleep studies I can't be sure, but I feel like I sleep better/deeper on low-carb. I definitely feel more fatigued and sleep longer on high carb, needed 10 or more hours of sleep to feel functional. On low-carb I feel decent on 6-7 and rarely sleep more than 8.

I know that seems like a lot of sleep to anyone working and/or taking care of a family, but sleep is a priority for me to control my fibromyalgia symptoms. I'd gladly sleep 12 hours if it meant less pain and more energy (especially the energy. I can do a lot in pain, I can do almost nothing when I'm tired and groggy).

I take a small dose of melatonin every night, but I take it early - at least 2 hours before I fall asleep, and that seems to help with clearheadedness when waking up.