We spend about ⅓ of our life sleeping – so we should definitely make the most of it! But if you’re someone who suffers from chronic sleep disorders such as insomnia, you just don’t have that luxury. Sleeping could feel like a chore, sometimes even a battle. Most nights, it doesn’t even feel like you slept a wink at all, and it could really affect your daily performance.
If that’s the case, you need an effective sleep aid. However, the world of sleep supplements are riddled with myths and false hopes that can leave you feeling disappointed in the end – and still wide awake all night. Some sleep supplements just don’t have the right potency and ingredients.This is why we’re here to bring you fast tips and tricks on what to look for in an effective sleep supplement. By knowing fact from fiction, you will be much better equipped to make a successful purchase – and finally get a good night’s sleep!
WHY USE SLEEP SUPPLEMENTS
The best and most effective sleep supplement contains high-quality, all-natural ingredients that help your mind and body settle before falling asleep, and ensures that you wake up feeling refreshed and well-rested the next morning. This sleep aid is especially helpful to those who suffer from anxiety-induced sleep disorder such as insomnia.
Sleep supplements contain essential antioxidants and amino acids that dutifully balance your serotonin levels, and support your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. With the right sleep supplement, you can say goodbye to everyday fatigue, and finally get the good night’s sleep you deserve after a long day.
3 MYTHS ABOUT SLEEP
There are tons of success stories about the use of sleep supplements, but with it comes the spread of false information, or the inevitable myths, that influence your decision to purchase certain products. But they’re exactly that: myths, and are highly likely untrue.
Here, we’re talking about three of the most common myths about sleep:
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*YOU CAN SURVIVE ON LESS THAN 7 HOURS OF SLEEP EVERYDAY.
The majority of people need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep at night. Sometimes people tend to think that because they can go for weeks on 5 to 6 hours of sleep, it’s become “normal.” But if they continue the habit, tests show that they will eventually begin to perform in an impaired state.
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*THE ONLY CONSEQUENCE OF LACK OF SLEEP IS EXHAUSTION.
Sleep deprivation is actually associated with a large number of health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, memory problems, Alzheimer’s, increased risk of cancer, depression, anxiety, and low sex drive.
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*SLEEPING PILLS HELP YOU SLEEP.
For those with insomnia, sleeping pills are highly tempting. However, sleep experts urge caution when taking them because, according to brainwaves, what occurs is not natural sleep. While you’re not awake, you’re more sedated than actually asleep. Some research also indicates that sleeping pills may weaken brain cell connections associated with learning, causing memory damage over time. Stopping intake may also cause the insomnia to come back which will push you to start taking them again.
3 TRUTHS ABOUT SLEEP
Now that we’ve debunked the common misconceptions about sleep, here is a checklist of three known facts to help you further understand why it’s important for anyone to get a good night’s sleep.
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*POOR SLEEP CAN MAKE YOU GAIN WEIGHT.
Poor sleep is strongly associated with weight gain, with shorter sleep duration being one of the biggest risk factors for obesity. The effect of sleep to weight gain is mediated by numerous factors including hormones and lack of motivation to exercise. According to one extensive study, adults with a short sleep duration were 55% more likely to become obese.
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*GOOD SLEEP KEEPS YOU PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HEALTHY.
A study found that those who slept less than 7 hours were at risk of a weaker immune system, and were more likely to get the common cold. Those who consistently sleep less than 6 hours have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Poor sleep is also linked to depression which means it also greatly affects mood and social interactions.
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*GOOD SLEEP CAN IMPROVE OVERALL PERFORMANCE.
A good night’s sleep boosts both your physical and mental performance. In a study involving basketball players, it was found that those who slept longer had improved speed, accuracy, and reactions during games. Additionally, sleep is important for various brain functions including cognition, concentration, and productivity, and has been shown to enhance problem-solving skills and memory performance in both children and adults.
After sorting facts from false information, it’s time to know which ingredients to look for – and which ones to avoid – in Sleep supplements. Make sure you only take supplements that promise premium-quality formulation.
KEY INGREDIENTS IN HIGH-QUALITY SLEEP SUPPLEMENTS:
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L-TRYPTOPHAN
- ASHWAGANDHA
- LEMON BALM
- L-TAURINE
- MELATONIN
- ST. JOHN’S WOR
- L-THEANINE
- GOJI (WOLFBERRY)
- CHAMOMILE
- SKULLCAP
- INOSITOL
- PASSION FLOWER
- VALERIAN
- HOPS
UNWANTED SLEEP SUPPLEMENT INGREDIENTS:
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FOOD ADDITIVES
Artificial sweeteners and MSG are common flavor-enhancers that are linked to anxiety and insomnia. In children, high levels of these substances are found to be associated with hyperactivity, sleep disorders, and even autism.
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TRY TO AVOID: AMAZON REVIEWS
While research is important prior to purchasing certain products, many should be wary of where they gather information from. Many consumers turn to Amazon reviews – something that should be avoided. Up to 60% of those reviews are written by paid individuals, with some companies promising free products in exchange for a positive review. Since these supplements are consumable, it’s best not to risk your health by believing in potentially fake reviews.
OUR SPECIALIZED RANKING SYSTEM
This specialized ranking system follows a unique criteria and comprehensive process in which we measure the value of the products by carefully evaluating the ingredients, safety, efficacy, refund policies, and overall customer satisfaction. These factors, combined with the latest studies and clinical trials, makes it easy to choose the best products available in the market, saving you both time and money.
THE TOP 5 SLEEP SUPPLEMENTS IN THE MARKET TODAY
After hours of extensive research, in consideration of combined ratings and online reviews from customers just like you, we’ve compiled a list of the top five sleep supplements in the market today.
BOTTOM LINE
Sleep Aid by Doko Health utilizes high-quality, all-natural ingredients such as hemp oil, melatonin, valerian root, and lemon balm leaf. These ingredients help to speed up sleep onset, help with sleep maintenance, and help you to wake up feeling refreshed. It also helps to increase energy and vitality. This product is also made up of plant-based ingredients. The company also provides a 100% money-back guarantee. Taking all this into consideration places Sleep Aid by Doko Health at #1 on our list of best sleep supplements on the market. *Results are based on the medicalherald website and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
- ✓ Non-habit forming
- ✓ Induces sleep quickly
- ✓ Helps to stay asleep longer
- ✓ Helps to wake up feeling refreshed
- ✓ 100% natural ingredients
- ✓ Increases energy and vitality
- ✓ Plant-based ingredients
- ✓ 100% money back guarantee
CONS
- ✓ Individual results may vary
BOTTOM LINE
LUNA by Nested Naturals is an herbal sleep supplement with allergy-friendly ingredients. It should help you fall asleep much faster, and promotes relaxation and a healthy sleep state. However, some users reported experiencing grogginess in the morning after taking the product before going to sleep. Meanwhile, some mentioned that they felt much more awake upon taking the product, or that it takes a couple of hours before they could actually fall asleep. Others also reported experiencing adverse effects such as headaches and nightmares. These place LUNA at only #2 on our list. *Results are based on the medicalherald website and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
- ✓ An herbal sleep supplement
- ✓ Allergy-friendly ingredients
- ✓ Helps with falling asleep faster
- ✓ Promotes healthy sleep state
- ✓ Promotes relaxation
- ✓ Lifetime guarantee
CONS
- ✓ May take hours to work
- ✓ May cause grogginess
- ✓ May cause side effects
BOTTOM LINE
Genius Sleep Aid utilizes all-natural ingredients such as herbs to help calm anxiety, improve sleep quality, support adrenal health, and restore cognitive function. The product also contains caffeine-eliminating ingredients for a natural caffeine detox. However, some users reported experiencing side effects, the most common being nausea, vomiting, stomach issues or discomfort and headaches. Others also experienced weight gain, restlessness, and intense dreams or nightmares. While the product is backed by their refund policy, the length of time is not stated on their website. Taking these into account places Genius Sleep Aid at only #3 on our list. *Results are based on the medicalherald website and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
- ✓ Contains herbs
- ✓ Contains caffeine-eliminating ingredients
- ✓ Helps calm anxiety
- ✓ Improves sleep quality
- ✓ Support adrenal health
- ✓ Restores cognitive function
- ✓ Refund policy
CONS
- ✓ May cause side effects
BOTTOM LINE
OLLY is a chewable gummy sleep supplement that uses all-natural sweeteners. It does, however, contain sugar or glucose syrup which can revert the effects of the product. While it’s certainly sweet, some mentioned that they didn’t like the taste. OLLY boosts your natural sleep hormone and supports a healthy sleep cycle, encouraging a calm feeling to help you fall asleep much faster. The length of time to see results varies from person to person, but some users reported that it took hours before they managed to fall asleep after taking the product. Some users of OLLY also reported experiencing side effects such as restlessness, grogginess, jitteriness, insomnia, headaches, stomach pains and discomfort. The product is best refrigerated as it has a tendency to melt when exposed to heat. OLLY is backed by a 30-day refund policy. These place OLLY at only #4. *Results are based on the medicalherald website and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
- ✓ Chewable gummy supplements
- ✓ Uses natural sweeteners
- ✓ Boosts natural sleep hormone
- ✓ Encourages a calm feeling
- ✓ Supports healthy sleep cycle
- ✓ Supports healthy sleep cycle
CONS
- ✓ Contains sugar (glucose syrup)
- ✓ Bad/Overwhelming taste
- ✓ May take awhile to work
- ✓ Has tendency to melt when exposed to heat
- ✓ May cause side effects
BOTTOM LINE
Zenwise Sleep Support settles the mind and body to encourage a deep and relaxed sleep, supporting stress management and making sure you wake up feeling rested the next day. The product also gives you a natural boost of energy, ensuring that you won’t become groggy upon waking up the next morning. However, some users reported that while the product made them feel more relaxed, they kept waking up every few hours or so, and then feeling spaced out the next morning. Others mentioned that it takes a few hours before they manage to fall asleep. Another common side effect is stomach discomfort. Fortunately, Zenwise offers a lifetime guarantee with their products. These factors are why Zenwise Sleep Support ranks only #5 on this list. *Results are based on the medicalherald website and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
- ✓ Natural calming ingredients
- ✓ Settles the mind and body
- ✓ Promotes deep sleep
- ✓ Gives a boost of natural energy
- ✓ Supports stress management
- ✓ No groggy feeling
- ✓ Lifetime guarantee
CONS
- ✓ May take awhile to work
- ✓ May cause side effects