Getting enough sleep shouldn’t be a struggle for anyone. It should take 10 to 30 minutes for an adult to sleep after getting into bed─ but that isn’t the case for most people. Nearly 50% of US adults take some sleep medication to sleep at night.
However, not all sleep medication is right for your health. Some sleep aids can become addictive. Reports have shown a rise in emergency room visits related to prescription sleeping pills. As a result, more people are drifting to natural sleep aid supplements being a safer sleep remedy.
Tired of tossing and turning every night fighting for sleep? Get ready to say goodbye to the days when falling asleep was a task. Read on to discover natural sleep aid supplements that work like a charm here.
1. Valerian Root
Valerian is a natural sleep aid supplement that originates from Europe and Asia. The herb is popular for treating colds, fevers, and wheezing. Yet, several studies support its efficiency in dealing with insomnia.
A 1996 study from the Psychiatric University of Basel, Switzerland, found the valerian root to be as useful as Benzo in tackling insomnia. The herb also showed lesser side effects than the depressor Benzo. A dose before bedtime can improve sleep without causing dizziness.
Valerian root contains antioxidants and chemicals which can boost sleep and reduce anxiety. Valerenic acid helps increase GAMA activity to promote calmness and encourage sleep.
Talk to your doctor before taking Valeria. It has a history of interacting with prescribed sleep aids. It may also not be safe for pregnant and breastfeeding kids. Higher doses may also not be safe.
2. Melatonin
Is melatonin the best insomnia natural sleep aid supplement? You can say so because melatonin also exists naturally in the body. It’s also the hormone responsible for informing your body the sleep and wake times.
Melatonin supplements are widespread as people find them safer and compatible with their systems. A study in 2012 showed that over 3 million Americans were using Melatonin sleep aids.
People using melatonin use it to treat insomnia or other known sleep problems. If you’re finding yourself awake past midnight or if you’re facing irregular sleep patterns, this could be the supplement for you. One to three milligrams two hours before sleep can speed up and boost sleep quality.
An overdose can still cause daytime sleepiness, headaches, or dizziness. It may also cause other health problems if you’re taking it alongside other meds. If using anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, birth control pills, avoid the supplement.
3. CBD
One in seven US adults uses CBD products. The compound features in a host of products because of its therapeutic benefits. Most users claim it helps them beat health problems such as pain, anxiety, and even sleep.
CBD is the non-psychoactive compound in cannabis. It doesn’t cause the euphoric feeling or the high like THC. And it has become popular as a recreational supplement. According to the American Sleep Association, CBD has the potential to tackle insomnia.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system to maintain moods, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The ability of CBD to tackle pain and anxiety problems also helps boost the quality of sleep.
4. Magnesium
Insomnia is sometimes a symptom of magnesium deficiency. If you’re restless during bedtime or you frequently wake up at night, you may be lacking magnesium.
Estimates show that over half of adults in the US don’t get enough magnesium. You can boost magnesium levels by eating magnesium-rich foods such as leafy greens, meat, broccoli, coffee, or chocolate.
You can also use magnesium supplements to improve your health as you deal with sleep problems. This natural sleep aid supplement can boost moods, reduce stress, and improve metabolism.
Magnesium also prompts the release of chemicals which can relax and calm your system. It also regulates melatonin, the sleep hormone, to improve the sleep-wake cycles.
5. Magnolia Bark
Magnolia bark has dominated traditional medicine for many years. For over 1000 years, the Chinese used the herb to treat depression, headaches, body pains, and asthma. Its vast applications are also embraced in modern medicine. Today, it’s among the best natural sleep aid supplements.
Magnolia’s efficiency in promoting sleep comes from its ability to relax the body and ease anxiety. It also has the power to boost GABA activity, which encourages sleep. Compounds in magnolia can reduce the time it takes to sleep and improve REM sleep.
Magnolia has also proved useful for many years as a depression reliever. It can activate cannabinoid receptors to calm and improve moods. It also has antioxidants that can help improve general well-being.
6. Jujube
Like Magnolia Bark, Jujube’s applications are more traceable to traditional Chinese medicine. The fiber-rich fruit contains many minerals and vitamins, which can promote better health. It has also played a role for many years as a sedative, sleep aid, and anxiety reliever.
As a sedative, Jujube influences GABA and serotonin to promote quicker and deeper sleep. One of the chemicals, spinosin, affects serotonin to trigger sleepiness. Jujube also contains magnesium and antioxidants. This enables it to achieve its usefulness in reducing sleep and health problems.
7. 5 HTP
Your body naturally produces 5 HTP, an amino acid that impacts nerves and sleep. HTP facilitates the production of serotonin. This is the happy hormone responsible for better moods and regular sleep cycles.
Serotonin deficiency can cause depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. Thus the HTP supplement can provide health benefits to your body and help stop sleep issues.
5 HTP production of serotonin also triggers the release of more melatonin. Melatonin, as mentioned earlier, can help regulate sleep by improving sleep patterns. As it seems 5 HTP and melatonin can create a great combo of natural sleep aid supplements.
Natural Sleep Aid Supplements for Healthier Sleep
Sleep is a natural body function, and your body is better off if sleep comes without any aid at night. But what if sleep problems become insurmountable? Remember, natural sleep aid supplements are safer and healthier for your body.
We discuss more natural ways you can reclaim your health on the site. For more tips and advice, check out our blog.
