Last year I discovered what 7/8h of sleep felt like thanks to horse adapted amounts of sleeping medication (120mg of Miamserine, 500mg of quetiapine, some THC).
Before that I was used to 5/6h on the regular and 1/3h when it got worse.
I don't really understand how I have functionned all these years with that much sleep deprivation.
I've been on various types of sleep medication, although those sound like newer ones than when I was trying them years ago- every single one of them left me drowsy in the morning. Some for half the day. It was even worse than just not getting a full 8 hours.
And OTC stuff? Forget it. If I take some NyQuil, I basically will be unable to do much but sit there in a haze for the next 18 hours or so.
Mianserine is an antidepressant but can be used at lower dosages as a sleeping aid. I noticed that it helps me go to bed.
Quetiapine is an antipsychotic. It is also used as a sleeping aid at lower dosages but I have seen counterindications on account of the heavier side effects. I noticed that it didn't make me that sleepy but it keeps me from waking up every few hours and helps me go back to sleep when I do wake up. A few friends of mine find the hypnotic effects too intense and need to take it at the end of the afternoon in order to hear their alarms in the morning.
I'm currently treating sleep apnea, because of a lifelong abuse of my sleep cycle.
I'm also dealing with issues with my heart because of the apnea and pushing my body so far without resting properly.
I've likely stolen a decade or more from my life all because I refused to sleep just to "get ahead".
you young folk take note. sleep well, eat well, live well. you do those things and you shouldn't need to live with a weight on your chest until you die. every hour I'm reminded how fragile I am, and trust me when I say I was fucking invincible in my youth...just like you feel. go head, set a timer in your phone to go off every hour that asks if you're going to see tomorrow.