Best Sleep Aid Ingredients

You may have heard about the benefits of natural sleep aids. That may lead you to think, "what are best types of ingredients to look for in a nighttime formula?".

Great question!

While there are many different types of sleep supplement ingredients, there are a few that stand out.

Before we get into the best sleep supplement ingredients, understand that many materials  found in dietary supplements are simply filler. So beware!

You also have to keep in mind that every body reacts differently. Some people swear by melatonin, others by chamomile. Neither person is wrong. Different types of pills work for different people.

Your job is to find the ingredients that work best for your body.

Below, you will find a list of some of the best known sleep ingredients.

Sleep Ingredients That Actually Work

As we stated above, not all ingredients are the same. Below is a list of the top sleep ingredients to look for in an effective bedtime formula.

Melatonin

Melatonin is the most well known sleep supplement, and for good reason! It works by balancing your circadian rhythm (your body's sleep/wake cycle).

Melatonin is known as the "hormone of darkness". This is due to the fact that your body starts releasing melatonin once it starts to get dark at night.

A tip when taking melatonin supplements is to take it 30 minutes before bed. This gives time for it to be released into your system.

5-HTP

5-hydroxytryptophan, also known as 5-HTP, is a chemical that your body makes from the amino acid tryptophan. Once tryptophan is converted by your body into 5-HTP, it is then tranformed into another chemical called serotonin.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that sends signals between brain cells. Serotonin is important because it plays a crucial role in your body's sleep/wake cycle. Low serotonin levels can lead to sleepless night.

5-HTP dietary supplements help to increase serotonin levels in your body. This in turn can help promote better overall sleep quality.

The recommended dosage for 5-HTP is 200-400 milligrams (mg).

Valerian Root Extract

Valerian root extract is one of the oldest, and most trusted, sleep supplement ingredients. Valerian extract can cause sleepiness by increasing your brain’s GABA levels.

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, a chemical that tells your brain to slow down and relax. Increased levels of GABA can have a sedative-like effect.

While valerian root works well on it's own, studies have shown that it may be even more effective when combined with lemon balm. You can read more about that research here.

Passion Flower

Another great sleep formula ingredient is passion flower. Passion flower works in your body to help promote a sense of calm and relaxation. It does this by increasing the amount of GABA in your brain (source)

In Conclusion

To wrap up, finding the best sleep supplement is something that you will have to discover for your self. Every body reacts differently. While the sleep aid ingredients mentioned above are solid, research backed products, you won't know if they will work until you try them.

If you are looking for natural sleep aids, you can click here

So give the natural sleep aid ingredients mentioned above a try and report back!