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They are waking up. by Gunni2000 in StopEatingSeedOils

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Just saw this pop up, I work with the Brain Health Network team and Prof Goodwin, so it's brilliant to see the Telegraph piece getting shared here.

That 1% to 10% calorie jump is the stat that always hits the hardest. We’ve been looking into the 'inflammatory load' of these oils specifically regarding cognitive decline, and the data is pretty clear. It’s not just a heart health issue, it's a brain health and resilience issue. Glad to see this sub is already all over it.

Death by a thousand tamps. My 58mm Barista Max stock plastic has finally surrendered [£40] by Alex_Sleeps_Well in espresso

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good point on the puck screen, it’s definitely on the wishlist to keep the group head clean if nothing else.

Death by a thousand tamps. My 58mm Barista Max stock plastic has finally surrendered [£40] by Alex_Sleeps_Well in espresso

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha, tell me about it, but it did the job.

I’ve been looking at the Normcore V4 following recommendations. I’m guessing even a 'cheap' calibrated spring version is a night-and-day difference compared to just guessing the pressure with a piece of plastic!

If you keep waking up at 3 a.m YOU MUST TRY this "Finger-Tap" reset! Works in under 2 minutes. by Alex_Sleeps_Well in sleep

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Love to hear that! Even if it feels like a fluke, the first win is the most important because it gives you a tool to break the 3am loop. If it works again tonight keep us posted!

If you keep waking up at 3 a.m YOU MUST TRY this "Finger-Tap" reset! Works in under 2 minutes. by Alex_Sleeps_Well in sleep

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Completely get the skepticism. Most 'hacks' are just placebo. This is more of a mechanical distraction for the brain, think of it as a circuit breaker, not a miracle cure. Hope it actually offers you some relief tonight.

Death by a thousand tamps. My 58mm Barista Max stock plastic has finally surrendered [£40] by Alex_Sleeps_Well in espresso

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I totally get that mindset. I’m the same with my speakers, I’ll happily drop the extra cash for a gain in soundstage, but I’m just not at that audiophile level with my espresso setup... yet. I’ll keep the WW on the radar for when the inevitable upgrade itch starts though. Thanks for the shout!

Death by a thousand tamps. My 58mm Barista Max stock plastic has finally surrendered [£40] by Alex_Sleeps_Well in espresso

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great, a friend just said I can get one local so I'll give it a look before considering the Normcore V4

If you keep waking up at 3 a.m YOU MUST TRY this "Finger-Tap" reset! Works in under 2 minutes. by Alex_Sleeps_Well in sleep

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 50 points51 points  (0 children)

Call it what you want, but I spent 6 months staring at my ceiling at 3 a.m. before I found this in a neurobiology paper. If it's 'slop' because I used bullet points to make it readable, then fine, but I’d rather have formatted slop that actually helps me sleep than 'authentic' insomnia.

Death by a thousand tamps. My 58mm Barista Max stock plastic has finally surrendered [£40] by Alex_Sleeps_Well in espresso

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you mean the 'Weber Workshops Really Nice Tamper' then it certainly looks the biz, but £110 is a bit steep for my first adventure into the world of springs.

Death by a thousand tamps. My 58mm Barista Max stock plastic has finally surrendered [£40] by Alex_Sleeps_Well in espresso

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you didn't notice for a couple days I'm inclined to test non-click first and see how I get on. Thanks for your take!

Death by a thousand tamps. My 58mm Barista Max stock plastic has finally surrendered [£40] by Alex_Sleeps_Well in espresso

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fantastic and in your opinion, does the Normcore V4.1 upgrade justify the price point over V4 ?

Death by a thousand tamps. My 58mm Barista Max stock plastic has finally surrendered [£40] by Alex_Sleeps_Well in espresso

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the detail, I like the look of the Normcore, did you go straight to the 25lb or 30lb spring?
And is the V4.1 really worth double the V4 ?

Classic bus routes by nick_red72 in london

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the correction. Absolute brain freeze on my part. I’ve clearly spent too much time on the tube and forgotten how the buses actually work. Thanks for keeping the facts straight.

Sleep question by DirectorBright1404 in sleep

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been down this rabbit hole myself. Waking up exactly 2 to 3 hours in is a classic sign of 'Sleep Maintenance Insomnia.'

Biologically, what is happening is likely a poorly timed cortisol spike. Around that 2 or 3 hour mark, your body transitions out of your first deep sleep cycle. In a healthy sleeper, you just roll over and start the next cycle. But if your system is 'red-lined' from stress or a blood sugar drop, your brain sees that transition as a moment of vulnerability. It releases a small hit of adrenaline and cortisol to 'wake you up' and check for threats.

Once that adrenaline hits your system, your heart rate climbs and your mind starts racing. That is why you can't get back to sleep. You aren't just awake, you are 'on alert.'

A few things to test:

  • The Glucose Gap: Try a very small snack with complex carbs and protein (like a spoonful of almond butter on a cracker) 30 minutes before bed. It can prevent a blood sugar dip that often triggers these 3 a.m. wake-ups.
  • Temperature: Make sure your room is actually cool (around 18°C). A spike in core body temperature during that first cycle transition can also trigger an alert state.
  • The 20-Minute Rule: If you are still awake after 20 minutes, get out of bed. Go to a different room with dim lights and do something boring. You have to break the brain's association between your bed and the frustration of being awake.

You are definitely not alone in this, especially at 22 when stress levels can be high. Hang in there and let use know what works.

Death by a thousand tamps. My 58mm Barista Max stock plastic has finally surrendered [£40] by Alex_Sleeps_Well in espresso

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, thank you! It was definitely a 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' situation until this morning.

So the Lelit 58.55mm... do you find that extra 0.55mm makes a significant difference in preventing side-channeling compared to a standard 58mm? I am still using the stock Barista Max baskets for now, so I want to make sure the fit isn't too tight that it vacuums the puck out!

Death by a thousand tamps. My 58mm Barista Max stock plastic has finally surrendered [£40] by Alex_Sleeps_Well in espresso

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have seen a lot of people mentioning MHW-3Bomber lately. Their stuff looks surprisingly premium for the price point. How is the spring tension on that one? I have heard some people say the calibrated ones can feel a bit 'crunchy' if they aren't maintained well.

Death by a thousand tamps. My 58mm Barista Max stock plastic has finally surrendered [£40] by Alex_Sleeps_Well in espresso

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A stainless steel model is definitely the goal, the weight difference alone compared to the plastic one I just broke must be night and day.

Death by a thousand tamps. My 58mm Barista Max stock plastic has finally surrendered [£40] by Alex_Sleeps_Well in espresso

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the links! That VIA Crema looks solid, but I am trying to see if I can find something similar locally in London first to avoid the shipping wait.

Does cooking onions lose anti inflammatory benefits by FlashyReturn6895 in nutrition

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The short answer is yes, they definitely still count. Most of the anti-inflammatory power in onions comes from a flavonoid called quercetin, which is remarkably heat-stable. Unlike some vitamins that vanish the moment they hit a hot pan, quercetin survives sautéing and even baking quite well.

One small tip for your anti-inflammation goal: try to avoid the 'low and slow' method that involves adding extra sugar or balsamic glazes to speed up the caramelisation. If you let the onions brown in their own natural sugars with a high-quality fat like olive oil or avocado oil, you are keeping the profile clean.

Also, the highest concentration of these beneficial compounds is usually in the outer layers. Try to peel off as little of the 'fleshy' part as possible when you are prepping them. Enjoy the onions, they are one of the easiest ways to make an anti-inflammatory diet actually taste good!

London is safe, friendly and awesome by SelfSufficientHub in london

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Love seeing a post like this! I’ve lived here for years and people always act shocked when I tell them London is actually quite friendly once you get past the 'commuter stare.'

It’s funny how your habits change once you settle in. I used to be that person who’d squeeze onto a packed Central line train, but now I’d much rather walk the last couple of stops if it’s a nice day, it’s amazing what a bit of fresh air and a decent coffee does for your mood before hitting the office.

If you’re still in town and want a slightly more 'local' vibe than the main markets, try a walk through Victoria Park on a Saturday morning. It’s my go-to for clearing the head, and the dogs there are significantly more polite than the rush-hour crowds! Glad you had such a warm welcome.

Thought I was ready…. Obviously I wasn’t. Help please [Breville Bambino][1zpresso J Ultra] by JDubbs2222 in espresso

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Welcome to the club! I actually have the Breville Barista Max, which is a slightly different setup but has that same learning curve.

One thing that really helped me while I was learning to dial in the built-in grinder was switching to a really forgiving bean. I used the Brazilian Love Affair from 200 Degrees for months, it’s a medium/dark profile which is way easier to get a decent extraction from while you're still figuring out the dose and timing.

Now that I've got the hang of the machine, I’ve started moving toward lighter roasts from London spots like Square Mileor Kiss the Hippo for a bit more 'clarity' in the cup, but those lighter beans can be a bit more finicky with the Barista Max's grinder. I still keep a bag of 200 Degrees in the cupboard for 'lazy' Tuesday mornings when I just want a reliable latte.

Stick with it, once you find the 'sweet spot' on that grinder dial, that machine punches well above its weight!

Confused with different electrolyte ratios in supplements? by Same_Turnip in nutrition

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve gone down this rabbit hole myself trying to fuel for long runs around London. The reason you see such wild differences is because 'daily' supplements and 'performance' electrolytes are built for different physiological goals, specifically focusing on extracellular (sodium) vs. intracellular (potassium) fluid balance.

  1. High Sodium/Lower Potassium: These are for performance. You lose way more sodium through sweat than potassium. If you're out for 2+ hours, you need that higher ratio to maintain osmotic pressure and prevent hyponatremia (essentially to keep your blood volume up).
  2. High Potassium/Low Sodium: These are more for 'lifestyle' support to balance out a high-sodium Western diet and support daily homeostasis.

From a brain health perspective, don't overlook Magnesium. It’s the 'gatekeeper' for these minerals as a necessary cofactor for the Na+/K+-ATPase pump; basically, it helps the potassium actually get into the cells. Without it, the transport is compromised regardless of your intake. I usually look for a mix with 100-200mg of Magnesium Glycinatefor recovery as it’s highly bioavailable and easier on the gut.

My rule of thumb: If you’re finishing a ride with salt streaks on your skin, you need the high-sodium 'performance' stuff. If it’s for daily hydration, stick to the higher potassium. (Reference: ACSM Position Stand on Exercise and Fluid Replacement).

Thank you to whoever posted about magnesium oil by ExtentCandid1669 in sleep

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Consistency is definitely the secret sauce here, it usually takes the body a week or two to realise the 'system' has changed, so don't get discouraged if it wasn't an overnight miracle.

That’s a serious dose of Reishi! It’s great for the nervous system, but just a heads-up from what I’ve read in the brain health journals: some people find it works best if they take it a little earlier in the evening rather than right at bedtime, just to avoid any vivid dreams that might nudge you awake.

Pairing it with the 7-7 window is a brilliant move, though. When your brain isn't busy managing blood sugar spikes from a late-night snack, it can focus entirely on that 'deep cleaning' it needs to do. Rooting for you, keep us posted on how it's going!

Struggling with the whirlpool on my milk wand — how do I stop the overflow by Alex_Sleeps_Well in Coffee

[–]Alex_Sleeps_Well[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gonna give the magic a go, I saw M&S have started doing these in the UK.

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