Can't Sleep? Look To These Supplements

Written By Finnegan Pierson / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Very few things are as troubling as difficulty with falling or staying asleep. Chronic sleep issues can seriously interfere with your sense of wellbeing. Trouble sleeping can make it hard to focus during the day, feel refreshed and mentally alert, maintain a positive attitude and even fight off several acute or chronic illnesses. 

If you’ve heeded all the best sleep-encouraging advice, including suggestions to stick to a consistent sleep schedule, avoid stimulating foods, exercise during the day, set up a soothing bedtime routine and reduce your stressors, and you still have trouble with sleep, it may be time to approach the issue with medications.

Read on for several of the most common, effective sleep medications to help banish your insomnia. 

Valerian

One of the most useful, natural supplements for sleep, valerian root comes from a tall grassland plant that has been used to promote relaxation and help people sleep more soundly for centuries. Valerian root has been shown to reduce the duration of time that insomniacs spend trying to fall asleep and has even been linked to an improved quality of sleep as well.

For best results, take valerian root consistently every night for at least two weeks to maximize its benefits. 

Magnesium 

A host of magnesium supplements on the market, including those coupled with additional ingredients to boost magnesium’s bioavailability and efficacy, all support different bodily functions.

Magnesium supplements can support your cardiovascular health, lower your blood pressure, regulate your blood sugar and stave off migraines, but it’s also a powerful sleep aid, too. Look for a supplement that contains magnesium glycinate, as this form of magnesium is best at promoting better sleep. 

Melatonin

Your brain naturally produces melatonin in order to regulate your internal sleep-wake cycle, also called your circadian rhythm. When this hormone is off-balance, it can exacerbate jet lag, keep you awake on your pillow at night or cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.

Melatonin is a helpful supplement to take when you’re trying to better align your circadian rhythm to settle into a consistent sleep schedule, which means it’s important to take this sleep aid at the same time each night. 

L-theanine

Amino acids are essential for a wide variety of health operations, and this one plays an important role in relaxation and sleep. L-theanine affects your brain’s chemicals to soothe anxiety and help your body to deal with stress.

As well, it also assists your brain’s natural sleep-wake cycle by helping you to feel more tired and ready to fall asleep. Take this supplement to slow down some of the stimulating brain waves that keep you up at night and boost the ones that help your mind and body to enter a more restful state. 

Antihistamines

Among over-the-counter sleep aids, sedating histamines are among some of the most popular options. Diphenhydramine and doxylamine succinate are both commonly found in sleep aids, as well as in nighttime cold or pain medication.

These medications relieve some of the symptoms of allergies, hay fever and nausea, but they also cause your brain and body to feel incredibly drowsy. These sleep aids are best used for occasional sleepless nights, as they can prevent your body from becoming accustomed to falling asleep on its own over time. 

Prescription Sleep Aids

When sleep troubles persist, it may be time for a visit to your doctor. Sometimes sleep problems can be traced back to a medical issue that only your doctor can accurately diagnose. The two primary types of sleep medications, benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines, can help you to fall asleep faster and remain undisturbed throughout the entire night. 

Even if you aren’t seeking prescription sleep aids, it’s best to talk with your primary care practitioner to discuss the addition of any sleep aids to your daily routine. Some sleep issues are caused by acute factors, while others are caused by medical conditions that require additional intervention. 

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Written By:

Finnegan Pierson loves business and has a passion for Health and technology. Even more interesting is the combination of the two. As a freelance writer, Finn hopes to influence others so they can have positive life experiences.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash