What Are the Best Supplements for Sleep?

The Seattle Seahawks were recently dubbed the Seattle Sleephawks.

Not because they were caught sleeping on the field but because they were caught going to bed early.

It's a radical idea in the realm of hard-partying pigskin gangsters, but it's a gold standard every football player and every human being should live by.

Sleep is a powerful tool. And it's extremely important for success. 

But what if you can't sleep?

Well, we've got information on the best supplements for sleep that actually work. Let's dig into the sandman's bag, shall we?

1. Melatonin Is One of the Best Supplements for Sleep

Our brains naturally produce melatonin when our eyes detect darkness at the end of the day.

It's one of the reasons we get sleepy at night.

But sometimes our bodies just don't work correctly. And we need to supplement its natural function.

Melatonin is one of the safest and most effective sleep aids on the market. 

Regular melatonin is meant to help you fall asleep. When taken 20 minutes before bedtime, it will cause sleepiness just as your head hits the pillow.

If you have trouble staying asleep at night, an extended release melatonin might be exactly what you need. 

Make sure you consult your doctor when taking melatonin. You want to make sure it doesn't interact with any other medication you're taking at the moment.

2. Valerian Root Will Help You Sleep Better

If you wake up in the morning and don't feel rested, you might just need a sleep aid.

Valerian root and echinacea are an old standby for cold remedies. Valerian root is well known for its ability to help you rest at night. And good rest at night is highly restorative and helps you heal from nasty cold bugs. 

You'll often find valerian root in herbal teas as well.  

It's usually mixed with other soothing herbs such as hops and lemon balm.  

How does it work? 

Valerian root increases your brain's GABA levels. GABA is a neurotransmitter that inhibits other wakeful chemicals in your brain. 

Thus, when your brain increases its GABA levels, you feel sleepy.

So, if you're experiencing insomnia, take a little bit of Valerian root supplement before bedtime to help you rest and sleep better.

But make sure you consult your doctor while taking valerian root to make sure it does not interact with any other medications you might be taking.

3. Reduce Your Stress and Sleep Better With Holy Basil

While you won't be any holier than you are if you take holy basil, you might be less stressed and sleep better and act more like a saint the next day. 

This ancient Indian herb has been around for thousands of years. 

It's not just a sleep aid either.  

It's known to slow down aging and decrease stress by reducing the cortisol in your system.

If you want to improve your sleep cycle, take some holy basil to reset your mind and get better rest.

Stay Away From Synthetics

You've probably already heard, but synthetic sleep drugs are addicting.  

The best supplements for sleep are natural and increase already present chemicals in your body. 

If you're looking for more supplements, check out our natural supplements page for some healthy alternatives.