Sleep Aids
Getting a good amount of sleep is incredibly important for your overall health. Sleep helps your body and brain function properly.
Sleep does serve many functions, and these range from tissue restoration to brain metabolite clearance and cognitive function. A good night’s sleep can also help improve your learning, memory, decision-making, and even your creativity. Sleep loss has long been recognized to impair performance on attention and executive control tasks. Along with that it can also increase health risks such as; heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Most adults need about 8 hours of sleep per night. About 4 in 10 Australians don’t get enough sleep and they feel tired as a result. For some people this is because of a sleep disorder like insomnia, but for many people, poor sleep habits or choices are the cause.
Keep in mind that good sleep often starts with good sleep practices and habits. However, for some, that’s not enough. If you require a little extra help to get a good night’s sleep, you can turn to Sleep Aids to assist in ensuring you get good quantity and quality sleep.
What are Sleep Aids?
Sleep Aids are supplements that have been formulated to combat sleep disorders, hyperactive minds, individuals that undergo high stress work or physical loads. Sleep aids are regulated by TGA (Therapeutic Goods Association), meaning that only active ingredients that are approved and designed to help with sleep regulation are used. Anything pharmaceutical such as melatonin or Phenylbutanoic Acid (Phenylbut) require prescriptions and are only available from chemists.
Sleep aids are not designed to cure or heal any ongoing disorders or genetic conditions.
How do Sleep Aids work?
Sleep Aids contain key minerals such as Magnesium and Zinc who help in the regulation of sleep and rhythmic cycles but also assist in the absorption of the active ingredients such as:
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ) is a naturally occurring amino acid that works as a neurotransmitter in your brain.
Mucuna Pruriens Extract Known as the dopa bean, Mucuna Pruriens is a natural herbal supplement used in Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient practice from India, that lowers stress, reduces anxiety, improves focus, boosts the libido, and elevates mood.
Valerian Root is a herb. It is native to Europe and parts of Asia but also grows in North America. Medicine is made from the root. Valerian is most commonly used for sleep disorders, especially the inability to sleep.
L-Theanine is an amino acid found most commonly in tea leaves and in small amounts in Bay Bolete mushrooms. L-Theanine promotes relaxation without drowsiness. Many people take L-Theanine to help ease stress and unwind.
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) also known as oxitriptan, is a naturally occurring amino acid and chemical precursor as well as a metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
How to use Sleep Aids?
It is always advised to use sleep aids as a last resort in an attempt to fix any sleep issues. Sleep aids may be used on the rare chance of your mind not shutting off and you need it for that one night. We recommend trying to work with a health professional to look over your current health status from blood sugar levels, cortisol levels, hormone levels, as well as a general vitamin and organ function. Focus on correcting sleep hygiene, which includes; allowing enough time before bed to be free from blue lights, no caffeine within 4 hours of bed and being well hydrated. If no improvements are noted then we recommend applying a sleep aid in to ensure you reach a deep REM Sleep.
Take a sleep aid 30 minutes before bed, mix in with 300-400ml of water.
References:
https://www.jneurosci.org/content/37/3/457
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41539-019-0055-z
https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/38/5/745/2416953
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1364661318300706
https://europepmc.org/article/pmc/pmc5056590