Did you know that more than 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems? It is not surprising given the fact that sleep problems can be caused by a wide range of factors, ranging from health issues and chronic stress to living in an unsafe neighborhood and sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress.
If you are having trouble falling asleep, you might feel tempted to start using strong medications. However, it might not be as effective as you might think, as medications often come with a number of unpleasant side effects. Instead, you should look into using natural sleep aids.
Would you like to learn more about such sleep aids? If so, this article is for you! Below, you will find a list of natural sleep aids that are worth using, including cannabidiol, melatonin, and valerian. It will touch upon the properties of each of the aids listed here, as well as its pros and cons. Check it out!
Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol is the second most concentrated cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. It is a non-psychoactive and highly useful compound that has been used for a wide range of applications including treating pain, inflammation, anxiety disorders, stress relief, and more. However, it is also believed to have sleep-inducing properties, which is why many people are using it as a natural sleep aid.
Cannabidiol is thought to induce sleep by activating the adenosine receptors, which are linked to sleep. Additionally, it is believed that cannabidiol increases the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. These two chemicals are highly involved in regulating your mood and making you feel good – and as such, they promote sleep naturally.
To use Cannabidiol as a sleep aid, you will need to start consuming only a small amount of it. In fact, it is recommended that you take about 10mg of cannabidiol for ten days in a row and then gradually increase the dosage if needed. However, you should also know that this compound is not as effective as other sleep aids.
You also need to check the THC content of a product you choose – some may contain delta 8 THC, which can have minor psychoactive effects. If there is any, make sure to check how long does delta 8 stay in your system, along with the effects it has on your body.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in your brain. This hormone helps you regulate your sleep cycles, controlling when you feel sleepy and when you do not. As you age, your pineal gland is less capable of producing melatonin. As a result, younger people are able to fall asleep easier than older individuals.
If you have trouble sleeping or suffer from insomnia, you might be interested in using melatonin supplements. The way melatonin helps you sleep better is by increasing the amount of time you spend in the delta stage of your sleep, during which time your body gets rejuvenated and rested.
Additionally, melatonin helps you fall asleep faster and increases the quality of your sleep throughout the night. If you are an older individual who struggles with insomnia, melatonin supplements might be exactly what you need to get back on track.
Valerian
Valerian is a plant that has been used for hundreds of years as a natural sleep aid. Ancient civilizations in Asia and Europe first used it as an herbal remedy for various ailments. Since then, it has been used by numerous individuals looking to improve their sleeping patterns.
Valerian works by increasing the amount of GABA in your brain – a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating your anxiety levels and inhibiting your excitement at night. If you struggle with anxiety or have trouble relaxing at home before going to bed, it might be worth giving valerian extract a try!
You can use valerian either as a tea or as an extract supplement. Unfortunately, there are some side effects to be aware of. Namely, if you take valerian in large doses, it can cause temporary drowsiness, headaches, and stomach aches.
In Conclusion
People who struggle with sleeping disorders tend to think they have to rely on medications to get better. However, as this article has shown, many natural sleep aids can help you improve your sleeping patterns.
If the problem persists, you might have to contact a medical professional and get yourself diagnosed with a sleep disorder, such as insomnia. Make sure that you keep your doctor in the loop with these remedies, and if you feel that they are not effective, talk to them about medications or other treatment options that will help you with your sleeping patterns. Good luck!
