Gateway lecture explores sleep and the way pumpkin seeds may assist

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The value of sleep to mental health and the possible benefit of consuming pumpkin seeds to help with sleep were explored during a one-hour lecture organized and held by Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health on Feb. 1.

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Dr. Craig Hudson, Gateway’s chair of Rural Mental Health, spoke about insomnia, the value of sleep to mental health, and some of his research on pumpkin seeds grown in Southwestern Ontario.

Pumpkin seeds have very high levels of tryptophan, which is beneficial to sleep and helps the brain and body get to a relaxed and sleep receptive state, he said.

Hudson is a psychiatrist, medical researcher and entrepreneur.

With him were panelists Lynne Harris, retired social worker and Patricia Robinson, nurse practitioner from the Maitland Valley Family Health Team.

Gwen Devereaux, Gateway president, acted as moderator.

Insomnia and sleep issues are common throughout society, said Hudson. Much research and counseling has gone into helping those who are afflicted with this problem to find solutions and to getting to sleep and having a restful night leaving them fully functional during the day.

He said poor sleep quality or complete lack of sleep can lead to serious health issues.

Creating a good sleep habit is the goal of all health practitioners who are faced with patients who suffer from insomnia, said Hudson.

Patients who suffer from insomnia have troubled nights trying to get to sleep or staying asleep, he added.

Harris discussed the anxiety that these patients can have during the day; the mental connection to their bed and bedroom can lead to anxiety because they associate it with “this place of discomfort.”

Patricia Robinson reviewed her experience with patients who suffer from insomnia.
The Feb. 1 lecture was part of Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health’s free series, held the first Tuesday of the month for one hour beginning at 12 noon.

The lectures are presented by one of the Gateway Rural Research Chairs, who are for the most part, university professors or practicing health professionals or both.

Each lecture is comprised of a 30- to 40-minute lecture followed by a panel discussion of the topic under discussion.

Promoting healthy communities and healthy individuals therein has been the overriding theme of these lectures.

Perfect attendance at each semester is rewarded with a diploma.

Participants can ask questions on-line during the lecture and the panel will try to address those directly.