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Others have been tested
These were effective, but not with the same consistency as the above selections. I still encourage others to try because their bodies react differently to the active ingredients found in over-the-counter sleep aids.
Photo: Molly Higgins
AGZ Overnight Sleep Support for $99: I tested AGZ’s chocolate and mint flavors, which come with foam, and you mix the powder with water or milk, either warm or cold (although I think it tastes better with milk, like frothy hot cocoa). The taste of the drink is not too sweet and has a pleasant rich chocolate taste. This blend is free of melatonin, and instead contains adaptogens, herbs, and minerals, including magnesium, vitamin B6, L-theanine, ashwagandha, and calming herbs. Because of the magnesium and L-theanine, my body felt more calm before bed throughout the test, but it didn’t consistently push me into complete drowsiness.
Photo: Molly Higgins
Rebalance Dream Sleep Mints (Melatonin-Free; 31 Pack) for $46: These melatonin-free mints are designed to dissolve slowly, with natural sleep-inducing ingredients like L-Theanine, L-Tryptophan, GABA, and slow-release Reishi Mushroom. You can take up to three lozenges each night, and it took three for me to feel any kind of calming effects. I like the idea of a slow-dissolving mint alternative, but I’m currently testing the version with melatonin to see how it competes with the melatonin-free version.
Natrol Melatonin Gummies for $9: These products contain 10 milligrams of melatonin, which is three times the recommended dose, and none of the other sleep-aiding ingredients often found in other sleep gummies. The strawberry flavor has a kind of grainy texture. But it is cheap and works effectively within half an hour.
Kona Sea Salt Deep Sea Magnesium Water Drops for $12: Kona Sleep & Relaxation products use Oceanic Hawaiian Magnesium to support improved sleep and muscle relaxation. I’ve tried the full range of Kona Sea Salt Hawaiian water products, including… Tranquil Mineral Spa Bath ($8) and Deep Ocean Magnesium Mist ($18)But I’ve found the drops to be the most effective, although I still spritz the magnesium spray regularly before bed. You only need to use one drop per one ounce of drinking water, and it’s supposed to be absorbed by the body quickly, with a host of supposed benefits like regulating the sleep-wake cycle and promoting deep sleep without a hangover. It doesn’t really taste like anything except a little salty, but it didn’t deliver as strong and consistent results as the other picks mentioned above.
Photo: Molly Higgins
Osea Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist for $20: This spray aims to create a soothing atmosphere to help regulate and prepare the mind and body before sleep. The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body, and it activates the body’s relaxation response to help regulate stress. Each spray of this mist releases a soothing essential oil blend of Juniper Berry, Lavender, Tea Tree, Lemon, Chamomile, and Moroccan Rosemary to help relax the mind and body. The scent is almost hard to describe, it’s light, with a hint of herbs and citrus that made me want to drench all my pillows and bed linens. Maybe it was a placebo effect, but it sparked something in me that made me feel like I was in a spa, and I always felt more relaxed, at ease, and ready for sleep.
Not recommended
Photo: Molly Higgins
Grounding pad cover for $130: This grounding pad is supposed to act as a kind of conduit for the Earth’s natural electrons, which should lead to more restful sleep. According to the Earthing website, electronic grounding is supposed to “rejuvenate, reduce inflammation” and help you “reconnect with the Earth.” In fact, it is a pillowcase made of plastic faux leather filled with carbon dye, which must be plugged in while sleeping. There is a strong safety warning, and it also comes with an outlet safety test to ensure it doesn’t cause an electrical fire while you sleep. So, that’s reassuring. I found the faux leather material to be very hot, sticky and uncomfortable, and I woke up feeling ungrounded.
Photo: Molly Higgins
ImmunizeLabs DeepSleep Formula for $129: These capsules use a combination of valerian root, GABA, L-theanine, melatonin, magnesium, glycine, and other ingredients such as amino acids and herbs to promote faster sleep onset, reduce racing thoughts, relax the nervous system, and support a healthy REM cycle. You will need to take three capsules about 30 minutes before bed. This worked very well. I felt sleepy and slept soundly throughout the test. However, the pills are large, and you’ll have to take them one at a time (and I can feel them in my esophagus). But more than anything else, I can’t recommend them, because they don’t give the consumer any detailed information about the actual serving size of the ingredients. It only lists a “special multitrack blend” but doesn’t detail how many ingredients are included. It seems a bit unsafe not to be completely sure of the portions of what I’m eating. Plus, the price point is absolutely terrible.
Canary Night Feeder (60 Pack) for $18: I hate to do this, because all of Canary’s products are so delicious, but I didn’t feel the effects of this sleep gummy. These vegan cherry gummies use natural ingredients like ashwagandha, chamomile, and lemon balm for a more natural relaxation experience. Although they are very tasty (like all the gummy supplements I’ve taken from them Canary), I did not experience any noticeable drowsiness effects while taking these medications.
BodyHealth Sleep for $36: The three-capsule serving size is enhanced with “Perfect Amino” (BodyHealth doesn’t provide any information on what it actually is), taurine, vitamin C, L-theanine, L-glycine, and 5-HTP (I-5-hydroxytryptophanwhich is often used to treat depression, with less evidence of helping insomnia); L-Glutamine, GABA (amino acids), and 3 milligrams of melatonin. These were horse pills So It was difficult for me to swallow and gave me acid reflux symptoms every time I took it. It probably helped with the sleepiness, but I was so focused on the heartburn that I didn’t notice it
What else can I try besides sleep aids?
Before going to the store for a quick repair, Monica BaenaThe adult geriatrics nurse at the George Washington Sleep Disorders Center recommends establishing good sleep hygiene. This includes maintaining a set sleep schedule, creating a bedtime routine, avoiding screen time, alcohol, and bright lights before bed, as well as making sure you’re physically active during the day and taking care of any other health issues that may be contributing to insomnia.
Part of the importance of creating a bedtime routine is making sure your bedroom is ideal for your personal sleeping preferences, whether that be temperature Or using a Sleeping mask Or a Sound machine– Everything that will make your environment more conducive to a restful sleep.
What are the risks of sleep aids?
“There is potential for dependence and tolerance with sleep medications, as these medications are intended for short-term use,” he says. Hanna Al-SadiqiPhysician Assistant at George Washington Sleep Disorders Center. Although sleep aids can sometimes be helpful for initiating and maintaining sleep, Sajedi explains some of their more serious potential side effects, such as grogginess and memory problems. It may also increase the risk of abnormal sleep behaviors such as sleepwalking or sleep eating.
As a general rule, people should not drive or operate machinery while taking sleep medications or mixing them with alcohol, and everyone — especially pregnant women or those with pre-existing medical conditions — should consult a physician before use. FDA only endorses A prescription Insomnia medications like Ambien, as well as over-the-counter medications, which are often just different forms of the same two active ingredients: Doxylamine and diphenhydramine. However, over-the-counter medications are not regulated in the same way as prescription medications. Some active ingredients, such as doxylamine, have already been shown to have an effect Increased risk of dementia.
What are some common ingredients in over-the-counter sleep aids?
While they should be used in moderation, there are certain ingredients believed to help promote healthy sleep that are featured in most of the sleep aids on this list. Let’s do a crash course.
- Doxylaminefound in over-the-counter medications such as Unisom, is one of the most common medications used to treat insomnia and is also used for nausea during pregnancy and allergic rhinitis. It stays in your system longer than other sleep medications, so it is more likely to cause persistent sleepiness the next morning.
- DiphenhydramineIt is used in medications that do not require a prescription, such as Benadryl and ZzzQuilIt is also one of the most common over-the-counter sleep medications and can be used to treat allergies as well. Diphenhydramine and doxylamine work similarly and have similar side effects.
- Melatonin It is a hormone produced naturally by the brain that helps regulate your biological clock. Increased melatonin levels help signal to your body that it is time to sleep. “Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain. It is related to the time of day and increases when it is dark and decreases when it is light. This helps with the timing of your circadian rhythms,” Baena explains. Sajdi warns that melatonin can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, and strange dreams. Melatonin has been shown to regulate the sleep-wake cycle, but because it is considered a dietary supplement in the United States, it is regulated less strictly by the FDA than prescription or over-the-counter medications. Melatonin is generally considered safe for pregnant women and children in low doses, but a doctor should be consulted before use.
- Other common ingredients include: Vitamin B6It is thought to help produce melatonin; magnesiumWhich helps regulate the nervous system and produce melatonin; L-theanineIt is an amino acid that promotes relaxation. and GABAAn amino acid that helps calm the brain.
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