What the hell does ZMA, Harry Potter, and Darth Vader all have in common? I’d love to tell you, but let’s be frank; if a mystery novel told you who the killer was at the start of the story, why on Earth would you keep reading until the end? So we’ll draw the line between those three a little later on.
Note – In truth, it was just a catchy title of this post, and I thought it might draw a bit more views than something like ‘I think zinc and magnesium are cool…here’s why!’, or, ‘You know what’s awesome, zinc and magnesium, true story’.
So, in reality, I’ve lured you here under false pretences….[cue evil laugh here]. Maybe Darth Vader will be making an appearance after all!
But I digress; let’s get down to business. The business of explaining to you about why I really am beginning to love zinc and agnesium supplements more and more. Let’s start with the customary ‘what’s so good about them?’ answer. As always, I love my to-the-point bullets.
The Benefits of Optimal Zinc Levels
- Increased athletic performance
- Improve testosterone production
- Prevent cancer and boost immune function
- Elevate mood and prevent depression
- Improve insulin sensitivity
- It’s also a great anti-oxidant
The Benefits of Optimal Magnesium Levels
- Decrease fatigued and cramping
- Improve Insulin sensitivity
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve attention span
- Reduce stress
- Improve sleep quality
- Helps prevent osteoporosis
All of these are great benefits, and reason alone to include them more in your diet. I know that since I’ve been keeping on top of my zinc and magnesium levels, I’ve definitely been sleeping a lot better, had elevated moods, and have definitely had less fatigue when training; the last two could simply relate back to better sleep, but who am I to question favourable results?
All of what I’ve listed above are the targeted benefits of taking the supplements, though. The best part about supplementing with zinc and magnesium is the big unlisted benefit that the combination of the two gifts us with…
A coma-like sleep, full of crazy, vividly wild dreams.
Seriously. Taking a dose of zinc and magnesium, either individually or via ZMA capsules, really does turn your dreams into a mini-episode of the movie Inception. Anything really can, and probably will, happen, without rhyme, reason, or any logical sense whatsoever! Some people even get quite scary nightmares from it.
One minute you can be paragliding above Mt Everest, the next you’re being chased by a swarm of Komodo dragons, hell bent on eating you alive, all while Lady Gaga dresses in obscenely weird costumes, and sings annoying tunes…you know, completely out there stuff that would never happen when you’re awake!
Don’t ask me why it happens, because I have no idea. I have been told that it has something to do with the effect zinc and magnesium have on the brain receptors, but really, that’s for science to figure out!
All I really know is that ever since Rachel Guy gave me some stronger doses of the two minerals recently, my once peaceful night-time slumber is now an out of this world experience every time I shut my eyes.
And this brings me to the reason that I’m posting this blog on zinc and magnesium. Sure, they’re both great supplements, and their benefits worthy of noting on this site, but really, they’re on the forefront of my mind because of my own string, or mini-series if you will, of crazy dreams as of late.
You see, recently I’ve been slowly making my way through a new (new to me, anyway) TV series called ‘Spartacus: Blood and Sand’.
If anyone hasn’t been fortunate enough to have seen an episode of Spartacus, this is a glimpse of what it’s about – just FYI, there is graphic violence in the following clip…you’ve been warned!
I’m almost ashamed to say that what you just saw was a watered-down version of what actually goes on in the show, but it’s a taste nonetheless.
Remembering that I’m now on a new dose of zinc and magnesium, and the side-effects which we’ve already discussed, I’m sure you can begin see why having an episode of Spartacus as the last thing I see prior to sleeping isn’t the most ideal thing for a restful night’s sleep. I really should cut it from my nighttime ritual, but I’m having too much damn fun to stop!
Almost on a nightly basis, I’m being subjected to Spartacus-fuelled dream marathons, and I’ve got to say, I really am ready to bear arms and rise against the dogs that call themselves the Roman Empire!
Now, I know that I’m not alone on this (not with wanting to rise against Rome, although, who wouldn’t want to do that; but I meant with getting vivid dreams as a result of ZMA). I’ve spoken to plenty of people that have had the same effects.
Which brings us back to the title of this post.
Given what I’d been going through lately, dream-wise, you can imagine the laugh I got when I woke up last Saturday morning, only to find that my friend and fellow strength coach, Tony Gentilcore, had posted this status update on Facebook….
You just can’t make this stuff up!!!
So if you want a non-illegal, and non-hazardous, way to hallucinate, my advice would be to take some ZMA, and get 8 hours of free entertainment – and wake up more refreshed in the morning because of it!
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