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45+ old male sleep maintenance issues for couple of years resolved by fixing the basics- blacked out room, avoiding alcohol and coffee having the biggest effect. Still even if I am able to sleep 8 hours the sleep is not as restorative as I would expect.

Recently I have noted that 500mg paracetamol (tylenol, acetaminophen ) result in truly excellent restorative sleep.

My question is: what could be the mechanism involved? What hormones are affected by paracetamol that have relevance to sleep?

I would like to modify my diet/lifestyle further to get this type of sleep without the drug.

Normal weight, fighting mild gastrointestinal and dermatological issues that indicate autoimmunity and allergies, on paleo diet since 6 years if that is in any way relevant. I have no pain the drug would help me with.

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    Advil btw is a completely different drug from Tylenol/paracetamol.
    – Katherine Lockwood
    Dec 9, 2016 at 20:53
  • I would conclude that you have pain you have got used to and don't think about. It's reasonably common.
    – Kate Gregory
    Dec 11, 2016 at 19:32
  • thanks for the note on advil, I have eddited the question
    – Matt
    Dec 12, 2016 at 6:44

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It is rather suggestive of a nocebo effect since there is no mechanism to explain a connection between sleepiness/weakness and paracetamol use.

According to eHealthMe, out of the 1,171 people who reported side effects on paracetamol 64 reported weakness as a side effect, 33 sleepiness as a side effect

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  • Actually I am not sleepy, the paracetamol causes that I am feeling well rested after sleep
    – Matt
    Dec 12, 2016 at 6:44
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I was at a GP CPD meeting on pain 2 weeks ago and the pain specialist reported tht PCM has weak analgesic effects but is good for stiffness. Many patients have reported better sleep with 2 paracetamol over the years so it may be they are experiencing less micro-wakening when changing position during the night and thus wakening more refreshed. I am concerned about long-term micro damage to liver and use many herbs such including hops and valerian as part of a sleep programm with good results. Dr Dilis Clare

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