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Honey at bedtime for managing cortisol

callieflower
callieflower
in Symptoms & Coping Strategies

Featured Replies

I stumbled across the info that taking a teaspoon of honey at bedtime may help to manage overnight/early morning cortisol levels. Wanted to share here since that is such a hallmark of AD withdrawal. Found a few more sources that back up this claim. I'm going to implement and see if it helps me, it seems very simple and worth trying!

https://mieldor.ca/blogs/raw-honey-blog/the-best-time-to-take-raw-honey-for-maximum-health-benefits

https://globalrph.com/2025/10/raw-honey-and-early-morning-awakening-clinical-considerations/

Dec 2017 5mg escitalopram -> increased over 2.5 years to 20mg

June 2020 in phych ward, switched to 225mg venlafaxine XR

Oct 2020 methylphenidate SR 18mg (brand name Concerta)

had trouble getting this prescription in 2022-2023, forced to do several breaks/withdrawls, late 2023 onwards taking consistently at 18mg daily

 

increased venlafaxine dose in fall/winter over a few years to help with seasonal depression

Jan 2023 262.5mg -> Feb(?) 2023 225mg

Nov 2023 300mg -> Jan 2024 225mg

Nov 2024 300mg -> Jan 2025 225mg

Nov 2025 300mg  -> Jan 2026 225mg 

 

2021-2026 regular cannabis use most nights to help me sleep while on these activating drugs. took some short and extended breaks. no longer using since Feb 2026

 

Jan 8 2026 sudden light sensitivity from venlafaxine

Jan 16 2026 225mg (-25%)

Jan ~19-23 2026 concussion

Jan 25 2026 150mg (-33.33%)

Mar 1 2026 112.5mg venlafaxine (-25%)

 

Supplements: vit c, magnesium malate, fish oil, vit b12, melatonin
 

    •
    • Like 1

    Thank you @callieflower. Let us know how you get on.

    It's worth mentioning that shop-bought honey, particularly at the cheaper end, carries a risk of being cut with corn syrup to bulk it out.

    Nothing I say is medical advice, it is simply my opinion. I am an anonymous person on an internet forum with no relevant qualifications other than being badly harmed by a drug. For all you know, I could be an idiot. You are making your own decisions and part of that is deciding how much to listen to my opinion, if at all.

     

    Perhaps you should consider this post an artistic work of fiction written for entertainment purposes.

    Story from SA: LukeUK: Remeron/Mirtazapine Severe Withdrawal - Introductions and updates - Surviving Antidepressants

     

    15mg Remeron/Mirtazapine November starting 2022 (severe physical side effects)

    Attempted to taper off January 2023, ended up having a major breakdown and going up to 30mg, took weeks to stabilise

    1 month taper  to 0mg

    Last dose April 2023

    Severe withdrawal syndrome with many physical symptoms

    Summary: 5 months using Mirtazapine, including 1 month taper ending late April 2023.

    • Chippy changed the title to Honey at bedtime for managing cortisol

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