If you’re struggling to fall asleep and aren’t sure why, don’t worry: roughly one-third of British adults sleep less than seven hours sleep every night — many of whom have used an aid to sleep in the past year.
Natural sleep supplements offer a viable alternative to conventional sleep medications because they’re non-habit forming and don’t require a prescription. However, the majority of these supplements for sleep are offered as dietary supplementsthat aren’t regulated in a strict way by the FDA as well as there’s not enough studies of high-quality on their effectiveness and security.
This leaves many questions for those suffering from sleep issues. This is the reason it is crucial to know the possible risks and benefits of using naturally-derived sleep supplements. Be smart. Be sure to consult your physician before taking any supplement.
Melatonin
One of the most popular natural sleep supplements is Melatonin, a hormone the human brain produces to regulate the circadian rhythm.
Pros:
May be helpful for children and elderly people that aren’t producing enough amounts of melatonin naturally.
This could be beneficial to those with delayed sleep-wake cycle disorder (DSWPD) or simply night owls who are looking to go to sleep sooner than the internal clock will allow.
Can help with jet Jetlag.
Most likely safe for use in short-term (usually 3 months or less, though some doctors suggest stopping treatment if the quality of sleep doesn’t improve after a few weeks).
Cons:
Can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness, and next-day drowsiness.
Interacts with a variety of drugs, including anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs contraceptives, as well as diabetes drugs.
Risky for those who are nursing or pregnant or who suffer from an autoimmune disease, a depression or seizure disorder.
Little research about the safety of long-term usage.
Valerian Root
Valerian is a tall, flowering plant that’s extracts from its root are typically used as a herbal sleep aid. A lot of teas that are herbal “sleepytime” teas have the herb, however it’s offered as a capsule or liquid extract.
Pros:
A review of herbal medications found that valerian was the most promising one for sleep and insomnia.
Considered to be quite secure and generally accepted.
Cons:
Unclear which dose is effective and safe, or how the duration you should stay on an exact dose.
These side effects can include nausea, dizziness and headaches. problems, or insomnia.
Not recommended for those who are breastfeeding or pregnant or suffer from liver disease.
The effects of sedatives can be enhanced by the use of depressants and other sleep aids.
L-Theanine
A amino acid that is found in tea leaves as well as some mushrooms, l-theanine is said to alleviate stress, anxiety and insomnia.
Pros:
Boosts levels of GABA and other calming neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. They aid in sleeping.
The effects of L-theanine in combination together with GABA improves non-REM sleep, according to one study .
It can improve the overall level of rest, and not just acting as a sedative.
Most of the time, healthy adults tolerate it well.
Cons:
At present, there is no dosage-safe recommendation for l-theanine.
May lower blood pressure, therefore it is risky for people who have lower blood pressure.
Could interact with high blood pressure as well as stimulant drugs.
Still unsure about the benefits of natural sleep Supplements?
Natural sleep aids aren’t your only option to treat bad sleep. In fact, it’s usually recommended to work on improving sleeping habits before relying on supplements or pills. You can, for instance, be sure to avoid using your computer or phone for at minimum an hour before bedtime — or try to go to bed at the same hour each night. You might also want to improve your sleep environment by purchasing a new mattress, turning down the temperature or employing a white noise maker.
If, however, you’ve been suffering from sleeplessness or insomnia for more than a month, you may consider consulting your doctor. The longer you let insomnia (or other sleep disorders) go unchecked and untreated, the more difficult to treat — but medical professionals can offer suggestions for changes to your lifestyle and sleep therapies, or even natural sleep aids in the event that you decide it’s the best option for you.
Menu
Unity Injustice Archives