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Natural Sleep Aids For A Full Night Of Restful Sleep

In case you find yourself lying in bed, tossing and turning at night and having difficulty dropping off to sleep in that case you’re one of the 30 percent of Americans who go through insomnia. So, fret not as you are in a growing crowd! There are many sleep aids and sleep relaxation methods to assist you cure insomnia.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder whereby one has problems dropping off to sleep or staying asleep through the night. Because of lack of sleep, the body’s biological clock is hammered. When one is sleeping, the body carries out its regular cellular maintenance. However when an individual is sleep deprived consequently he will be subject to stress, sleepiness, fatigue, acidity, headaches and being easily annoyed.

Every person may encounter 1 to 2 nights of sleepless nights in life, nevertheless if this takes place on an everyday basis then it might be induced by an underlying cause. Oftentimes, chronic insomnia is an indicator of some other illnesses like depression, heart disease, sleep apnea, diabetes, lung disorders or hot flashes. In case you suffer regular insomnia, obtain medical help right away.

Fighting insomnia is made simpler and easier compared before for the reason that there are numerous medicines that are given by doctors or those that could be acquired over the counter. Nevertheless, some of these medications have harmful adverse reactions and can turn out to be an addiction.

Natural sleep aids are the key to overcome insomnia. They aid you sleep without causing addiction and dependency.

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Using natural sleep aids like melatonin sleep aids will help you get some good relief from severe insomnia.

Listed here are some of the best natural remedies which I have tried using that worked well for me.

Melatonin sleep aid is a natural treatment for sleep. It assists people fall asleep and promote healthy sleep pattern, primarily to individuals who have had sleeping cycle interrupted like individuals who are doing work on graveyard shifts and those encountering jet lags. Melatonin is a hormone found in the body. Melatonin sleep aid must be taken 30 minutes ahead of bedtime. Individuals struggling with depressive disorders, schizophrenia, autoimmune diseases should never use this remedy.

Vitamin B complex is yet another natural sleep remedy; this is a group of essential eight vitamins which are needed for a variety of metabolic processes. Vitamin B complex deficiency may result in insomnia issues. Consuming Vitamin B complex is a wholesome approach to improve sleep.

Calcium aids the brain produce melatonin. It is a tranquilizer. It minimizes pain and stiffness, decrease leg cramps, ease restless legs and muscle spasms that loads of men and women suffer during the night.

Magnesium is a nutrient that is regarded to be not only as a key weapon against illness however also an antidote to emotional tension, the most effective relaxation mineral that could help improve sleep. Magnesium deficiency can result in muscle spasms, cramps, anxiousness, irritability, sleeplessness, mild to severe headaches, heart palpitations and bowel obstruction.

Yoga is a body-mind exercise which could be an awesome sleep relaxation ritual that gives a relaxing effect and assists promote sleep.

Additionally, there are various ways to battle insomnia just like refraining from alcohol, caffeine containing drinks, smoking cigarettes, long afternoon naps, activities that could trigger mental excitement and fast paced stimulating music prior to going to sleep. Take a warm bath, or drink a hot milk or tea, play a relaxing music and always keep your room dark, quiet and cool. Clear your mind from all the stress from work.

Keep in mind that these natural alternatives help minimize insomnia issues gradually. It is usually ideal to seek advice from a physician prior to using these natural sleep aids.

Getting Sleep Naturally- A Guide To Natural Sleep Aids

Article by Philip Tsang

If you want to be at the top of your game every day, then a good night’s sleep is essential. There is no doubt that uninterrupted sleep translates into peak efficiency. Sometimes, getting the sleep you need doesn’t come easily. Natural sleep aids could make the difference between waking up refreshed and not sleeping at all.

You may know people who have never have any sleep problems. There’s a good chance that you’ve had trouble getting the sleep you need some nights. Losing even one night’s worth of sleep can make you irritable, groggy and tired the next day. Before long, you’ll also be dealing with headaches, muscle aches, even blurred vision.

When sleep troubles persist for very long, it becomes difficult to concentrate on anything. Thinking clearly is almost impossible. If you have to do any kind of analytical reasoning, forget it. Mental exhaustion sets in and depression is a real possibility. At this point, many people turn to prescription sleeping pills, without realizing the side effects they will be forced to deal with.

Artificial sleep aids are a bad idea because sleep is a natural process. Our body naturally heals itself and our mental processes are refreshed during sleep. So it makes sense that natural sleep aids are safer and more effective for long-term sleep help.

Without enough sleep, you are more likely to suffer mental and emotional problems. This can have a negative effect on our personal and professional relationships. Most at risk is our mood. That’s why the danger of depression looms large during periods of insomnia. Our health, immune system strength, physical stamina, even our thought processes are all damaged by sleeplessness.

Lack of sleep is a serious issue that needs quick attention. Although sleep deprivation may not be directly life-threatening, it can lead to accidents that are dangerous. The longer you live with a sleep deficit, the more likely you are to weaken your health and shorten your life.

Lack of sleep can be caused by many things, so figuring out the best treatment can be complex. But if you plan to try medication, stick with natural sleep aids. They are surprisingly strong and have been proven effective in clinical studies. Because of their natural origins, these sleeps aids come with no side effects and cause no long-term damage. There is no risk of dependency and your body accepts the natural ingredients without raising defenses. For dealing effectively with the important issue of sleeplessness, natural sleep aids are your best choice.

About the Author

Natural Sleep Aids are a great alternative to sleeping pills. Sign up for our free newsletter at http://www.howtobeatinsomnia.com/natural_sleep_aid.html

Synthetic or Natural Sleep Aids? – Which is Better?

Article by Troy Truman

Many people have trouble going to sleep at night. More often than not, the problem is stress and anxiety. If you are one of these people, then you understand this problem from a firsthand perspective. You know what it’s like to lie in bed all night, thinking about tomorrow’s duties and problems. You also know that feeling of getting up in the morning and realizing that you have barely slept. You have probably tried many of the basic solutions for coping with insomnia. You have exercised during the day and cut down on caffeine. Maybe you have been sure to give yourself a sleep routine. These can be effective for some people, but many people need to go the extra step. They need to find sleep aids that will help them to feel well rested. If you have considered sleep aids, then you have probably found that not all sleep aids are the same. The question you may have is should you choose synthetic or natural sleep aids.

When you are trying to decide between synthetic or natural sleep aids, you will first want to consider the effects. Is one kind of aid more effective than the other? The answer to this question may actually be “no.” The truth is that people have had good experiences with both kinds of aid when it comes to falling asleep at night. The problem often arises when it is time to get up in the morning. Synthetic sleep aids cause hangovers. In some sense, these synthetic sleep aids are not much better than having a few drinks before bed. They will leave you feeling drowsy and may even give you a headache.

Which will leave you feeling fresh and renewed in the morning? Synthetic or natural sleep aids? The answer is natural sleep aids. These will actually leave you feeling better than you have in a long time. Not only will you feel that you have had a good night sleep, but you will also feel that you are fresh and you won’t have the drowsy feeling. The reason is because there are no unwanted chemicals in the natural aids.

When it’s time to make the decision between synthetic or natural sleep aids, you have to consider your overall health. Remember that synthetic aids are drugs that will have negative side effects on your body. They may even cause chemical dependency. If you consider the benefits of natural sleep aids, you will find that they are just has effective, but without the negative parts.

About the Author

Troy Truman is an expert on synthetic or natural sleep aids and related topics! To learn more, visit http://www.MaxaLife.com today.

Natural Sleep Aids Supplements

A fine sleep is a manifestation of physical and mental comfort. Sleep dispossession can affect your regular performance and may even have an effect on your overall character and it is a natural condition of rest that the body wants to live healthy and survive.

A regular routine is dependent upon our sound sleep the earlier night. A sleep issues and problems can be a daily incidence in several people’s lives. How you function, the strength of immune system, your emotional health-all of these can be unconstructively affected by sleep problems.

There are many ways to deal with this trouble. It is vital to avoid before-bed particularly grains, snacks and sugars. This will raise your inhibit sleep and blood sugar. The first area includes difficulty falling asleep is known as “Insomnia” and is probably the most common types of sleep disorders. Many people struggle with (hyper somnolence) because of getting extra sleep. The also very common types of sleep disorders relate to like sleepwalking, nighttime events, nightmares and night terrors.

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There are most natural sleep aids and healthy remedies to help you sleep, and many natural sleep supplements contain melatonin which definitely increases neurotransmitters in the brain to assist you sleep. Many supplements carries have additional advantages and they seem to assist people to fall asleep quicker and also seem to improve the quality of sleep. Supplements for better sleep are often the perfect choice when combating sleep troubles.

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a natural supplement is fairly safe that converts in the brain into serotonin. Serotonin is an important brain chemical involved in appetite, behavior, mood, and sleep. Melatonin is also produced by the body during sleep. Levels of melatonin in the bloodstream are highest prior to bedtime. Melatonin is a human hormone produced deep within the brain by the pineal gland, from the amino acid tryptophan.

There are a number of natural sleep aids supplements provide in market that individuals can take advantage of to attain a good night’s rest. If you are looking for a natural, safe, effective Sleep Aids supplements so Health Market Place is the best way to get it.

Are Natural Sleep Aids Effective For Treating Insomnia?

Natural medicines for treating insomnia and other sleep disorders are devoid of side-effects and hence a section of people consider them to be even more effective then chemically synthesized medicines such as ambien, sonata and Lunesta. If you want to obtain specific information on the popular natural sleep aids then let me inform you that Chamomile, Tryptophan, Valerian, The Passion Flower, and Melatonin are some of the natural sleep medicines that are extensively used for treating insomnia. Chamomile is made available in pill or tea form for treating insomnia and Tryptophan is an amino acid that provides sufficient relief from sleep deprivation by working in a thoroughly natural manner.  To add on, Valerian is a plant and its root extract is used for curing insomnia and The Passion Flower is a flowering plant that is extensively used as a popular cure of insomnia.  

Guys, all these sleep aids are 100% natural and well-known for their effectiveness against different types of sleep disorder including insomnia. As these sleep aids never yield side-effects, they have become increasingly popular among people suffering from sleep deprivation and for successful relief from insomnia, and you need to take them as per the instructions of a medical practitioner.   

Regardless of the ever-growing popularity of natural sleep medicines, the effectiveness shown by ambien and other sleeping pills in countering insomnia cannot be ruled out. Ambien is a sleep aid that has obtained approval from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) as an effective treatment for the sleep disorder insomnia.

As soon as the sleep medicine ambien is administered, it yields effects on specific chemicals present in the brain and relieves people from the grip of insomnia. The sleeping pill ambien is available on prescription only and therefore, you are entitled to buy ambien only after obtaining an ambien prescription. You can also purchase ambien pills from authentic online pharmacies and if you opt for ambien online, you are likely to procure ambien pills at unbelievably affordable prices.

So, why’s the delay? Kick-start the treatment of your insomnia with the help of FDA approved sleep medications like ambien and if you use natural sleep aid pills to treat your sleep disorder successfully, then would be able to get rid of insomnia without falling prey to disastrous side-effects.

Top 3 Herbal Sleep Aids As Well As The Secret Sleep Hormone

Article by Washington Starbenz

You’ll find an assortment of diverse herbal sleep aids on the market that claim to have a positive effect on your sleep. Although quite a few of them have been shown to aid in the onset of sleep, you will discover commonly 3 that stand out among the rest.

And, for those who haven’t heard of the sleep hormone, Melatonin, you’ll would like to continue reading to find out how that could solve your sleepless nights.

Leading 3 Herbal Sleep Aids

HOPS – hops are the flowers of the Humulus Lupulus, which is really a flowering vine that may be found in North America, Asia and Europe. Traditionally brewed in a tea, hops have been utilized throughout the ages as a result of their sleep promotion and stress-reducing qualities. Similar to chamomile or lavender flowers, steep 1oz of the flower in a glass of boiling water and drink 1 hour just before bedtime.

CHAMOMILE – the flavonoid component of this daisy-like plant, Chrysin, is thought to be its sleep promoting ingredient. As with hops, chamomile at the same time has been utilised for centuries as both a stress-reliever and sleep aid. Similar to several herbal sleep aids, the easiest strategy to take Chamomile would be to boil it up in a cup of tea to drink just before bedtime. And you can always add honey in case you prefer your tea a bit sweeter.

LAVENDER – on account of its wonderfully aromatic scent, lavender seeds and flowers are a welcome and efficient sleep promoter. Boil a cup of lavender flower tea, or attempt placing lavender flowers or a couple drops of lavender oil on your pillowcase or bed sheets to help you ease into sleep.If you are seeking a power-packed herbal sleep aid, try mixing hops in a tea with Valerian root and Chamomile to generate a natural sleep sedative with out the grogginess you get from prescription sleep medications.

MELATONIN: The Secret Sleep Hormone

Though it is not a herbal sleep aid, it’s a natural sleep aid. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland, located inside the center of the brain. This hormone helps us fall asleep so it makes sense that additional supplements of melatonin may possibly aid in locating that ever-elusive slumber.

Melatonin chemically causes drowsiness and lowers your body temperature, and also the melatonin signal is also component of the system your body uses to regulate your sleep-wake cycle.

Production of melatonin occurs during darkness, giving it the nickname “hormone of darkness”. High doses of melatonin have been shown to boost a person’s REM sleep time and dream activity throughout the night.

Meant to be taken 30 to 90 minutes prior to hitting the sheets, it acts as a mild hypnotic, causing melatonin levels within your blood to rise prior to your brains own production accomplishes it.

When you have difficulties sleeping, the above natural sleep remedies can have an incredibly positive impact on both how quick you get to sleep too as how much quality sleep you get. If the very first 3 herbal sleep aids don’t function for you, melatonin tablets could be just the thing.

As constantly before trying any herbal sleep aids, it is best to contact your physician to make sure that they will not interfere with any other medications you are on or conditions you may have.

About the Author

Stay up to date with the latest sleep aid information.

OTC And Natural Sleep Aids For Travel

Article by Trace Cordell

Have you ever wondered if what you know about natural and otc sleep aids is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on natural and otc sleep aids.

Most of this information comes straight from the natural and otc sleep aids pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you’ll know what they know. After you read this article, you will know more about sleep aids than 99% of the world, so read on.

Over the counter sleep aids are not an uncommon thing these days. According to emedicinehealth there is an estimated 30-50% of the general population suffering from insomnia. With sleep being a crucial part of normal bodily function it’s no wonder why there are so many sleep aid pills on the market. Insomnia is defined as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep. With so many over-the-counter sleep aids claiming to help you get your ZZZ’s what should you look for? Here are 5 Supplement Solutions that have been used to bring relief to sleepless nights.

You can use them in combination or alone to produce the effects that you are looking for and as always, consult a physician before adding any nutritional supplement to your dietary regime.

1) Melatonin is one of the most popular sleep aids on the market today. It is naturally produced in the body by your pineal gland, which makes serotonin that is eventually converted into Melatonin. It is usually given in dosages of 1-3mg. There have been many studies that have also linked melatonin to reduced jet lag effects as well, so this supplement may serve double purpose for you in your travels.

2) Valerian is a very popular herb in natural sleep pills. It widely accepted in some countries in Europe (Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy) as a remedy for insomnia.

3) Lavender has been used in just about every way as a sleep aid. This shrubby flowering bush has been used to help with sleep through aromatherapy, drinking tea, oils, pills, etc…

4) Chamomile has been used as a sleep aid throughout much of history. Like Lavender it has been converted to aromatherapy, tea, oils, pills, etc..

5) 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is an amino acid. It’s made by tryptophan (a key ingredient in turkey, no wonder we take a nap at thanksgiving). It is one of the 20 essential amino acids made by the human body. 5-HTP and Tryptophan raise serotonin, which has been suggested to help you sleep among several other positive affects.

Hopefully these tips will lead you to a long happy night’s sleep. If you chose to use an over-the-counter sleep aid please be sure to consult your doctor for possible side effects.

It never hurts to be well-informed with the latest on natural and otc sleep aids. Compare what you’ve learned here to future articles so that you can stay alert to changes in the area of natural and otc sleep aids.

About the Author

Our team has reviewed the current otc and natural sleep aids on the market and recommend this brand as our top choice.

Otc Sleep Aids: are They Safer Than Prescription Sleeping Pills?

Everybody knows that if it’s over-the-counter, it’s got to be safe. Or is it really? After all, prescription sleeping pills are a lot more tightly regulated by doctors and the FDA. Not to mention a lot more expensive.

Let’s just start with what everybody knows already about over-the-counter sleep aids. Just so everybody’s on the same page.

Firstly, the main ingredient of over-the-counter sleep aids is an antihistamine. Antihistamines are generally taken for allergies, but also make you feel very sleepy.
And yes, while they make you get to sleep faster, there is little evidence that they improve the quality of your sleep at all, much less help treat insomnia.

Meaning, if you really had good quality sleep, won’t you be productive in your following wake hours? That brings me to the second fact that everybody already knows about OTC sleep aids.

OTC sleep aids tend to cause “morning hangovers” or what is explained as residual next-morning sedation due to the fact that antihistamines have long half-lives. That simply means they stay very long in the bodies and therefore continue to cause drowsiness.

So most people usually try to live with that limitation by simply staying away from driving or handling heavy machinery. However, did you know that you would also have to put up with constipation and a racing heartbeat through your day? Did you also know that you could be in a state of confusion, delirium and have urinary retention? These are called anticholinergic side effects of antihistamines. That certainly wouldn’t do for that important office meeting next morning.

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Thirdly, common over-the-counter sleep medications are Sleep-Eze, Sominex, Nytol, and Unison that are mostly either diphenhydramine or doxylamine antihistamines.
However, other common OTC sleep aids like Tylenol PM and Advil PM are actually combinations of the painkillers acetaminophen and ibuprofen with an antihistamine, diphenhydramine.

And that is why, the Medical Letter, which reviews drugs, recommends against using antihistamines for sleep. Some doctors say users of Tylenol PM may be taking acetaminophen they do not need. Acetaminophen overdoses can cause liver failure.

As for ibuprofen, common side effects mainly involve the gastrointestinal system. It can cause ulcerations, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, gastritis, and even serious gastrointestinal bleeding. Sometimes, stomach ulceration and bleeding can occur without abdominal pain, and black tarry stools, weakness, and dizziness upon standing may be the only signs of internal bleeding.

And finally, back to the premise that if it’s over the counter, it’s got to be safe. That is truly the costliest and harmful fallacy that everybody has believed about OTC sleep aids being safer than prescription sleeping pills.

The reason is this. OTC sleep aids are not regulated and therefore, prone to abuse. If the OTC sleep aids were used as they were originally intended for i.e. to treat allergies or relieve mild pain that usually resolve within days, their sedative side effects would have been limited.

And because using OTC sleep aids does not require a doctor’s consultation and supervision, potential drug interactions would not have been flagged out and underlying serious side effects would have gone undetected.

Also, you can develop a tolerance for over-the-counter sleep aids after using them for just a few days. You may find quickly that you’ll need to pop in more pills each time to accomplish the same effect.

Last but not least, a so-called transcient insomnia may progress into a chronic insomnia if the root of the problem is not resolved. A slippery slope indeed. Don’t we all agree that insomnia is just a symptom of an underlying problem? And for many of us occasional insomniacs, it’s always triggered by something called stress.

Here’s a tip. Today, researchers have found that the best treatment for insomnia with the highest success rates is to change our thought patterns to then change our behaviors into those that induce sleep. So, it’s really all in the mind.

How Light Sleepers Treat Insomnia: Sleep Aids, Rozerem

For light sleepers, insomnia can be an annoying problem. The barking dog outside. The ticking of the alarm clock. Even the sound of your partner shifting in the bed can disturb your Zs.

If you’re tired of awakening at every little sound, maybe it’s time you tried some natural sleep techniques coupled with a non-addictive sleep aid such as Rozerem. Although being a light sleeper is annoying, there’s no reason you can’t ease your insomnia with a few sleep-enhancing tricks.

Insomnia Overview

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder in which the patient either has trouble falling asleep or cannot remain asleep for an extended period of time. Although most people have experienced a sleepless night or two during their lifetime, often it’s connected to a specific stress-related event such as the loss of a loved one or a job related anxiety. Doctors refer to patients in this category as temporary insomniacs. The insomnia symptoms will usually disappear when the underlying stress is resolved.

Patients with chronic insomnia are those who have battled sleeplessness for a period of six months or longer. In these insomniacs, doctors may have a difficult time pinpointing the exact cause of the condition.

Left untreated, chronic insomnia can lead to other serious problems such as depression. Due to fatigue, people with chronic insomnia may also experience a total lack of motivation or enthusiasm. As the body becomes worn down, insomnia sufferers have trouble concentrating. Performing daily routine tasks can be difficult. They may even undergo behavior changes.

Although sleep aids can help patients achieve better rest, chronic insomniacs can become addicted to certain prescription sleep aids. While they may be sleeping longer hours than before, their bodies can experience a number of unpleasant side effects related to the long-term use of sleep aids.

Today a greater number of people suffer from insomnia than ever before. Did you know that before the invention of electricity, the average American slept around nine hours a night? Only a small fraction of the current population acquires this much sleep on a regular basis. In fact, our current society might view individuals who sleep nine hours as lazy or unproductive.

How Your Work Schedule Can Aggravate Insomnia

In order to function properly, our bodies must be in tune with their internal clock or circadian rhythm. Most folks acknowledge they feel more productive after a restful night’s sleep. But for patients with insomnia, getting enough sleep and feeling refreshed is a rare occurrence.

In today’s hectic workplace, an increasing number of employees are being forced to toil during hours that conflict with the body’s natural sleep schedule. Insomnia sufferers who work afternoon or night shifts have an additional burden to overcome. These light sleepers must deal with sunlight disturbances as well as noise issues. For them, falling asleep and staying asleep may seem next to impossible.

Fortunately, there are a number of effective natural techniques that can help insomnia patients relieve their condition. You may wish to try these natural methods first before seeking relief from prescription sleep aids like Rozerem. These helpful methods can even lessen your long-term dependence on sleep aids.

Natural Methods to Help Light Sleepers Combat Insomnia

Before attempting to treat insomnia with natural sleep aids or methods, you may wish to consult with your physician first. Neurologists who specialize in sleep disorders are highly qualified to assist you in determining the cause of your insomnia. Patients who can first identify the reasons for their insomnia are more likely to have a successful outcome.

Helpful Tips for Light Sleepers

Keep a sleep diary that includes the following:

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total hours slept each night,

number of awakenings during the night,

approximate amount of time needed to fall asleep.

Over time you can identify any specific patterns or events that may be contributing to your insomnia.

Try to go to bed around the same time each night. This will help your body regulate its sleep schedule. If you simply cannot fall asleep, you may have to reduce your sleep time until your body becomes fatigued and sleep is inevitable.

Earplugs are an inexpensive way for light sleepers, especially travelers, to combat insomnia. If you’re fed up sleeping with your head tucked under the pillow, this tip may be just the cure you need.

Although noise is the enemy, many light sleepers can tolerate a consistent noise such as a fan, air conditioner, etc. During the summertime, this is the perfect way for insomniacs to drown out disturbances such as automobiles, televisions, or loud neighbors.

Soothing classical background music is a great way to eliminate other noises while relaxing your mind and body. Try listening to some of your favorite music in order to beat insomnia.

Watch your diet. If you’re an avid coffee drinker, set a specific cutoff time for your last cup of java. Caffeine aggravates insomnia and can increase your anxiety level.

Avoid eating a heavy meal before bedtime. Digesting all that food is hard work that can keep your system active and awake for hours.

Natural Herbs and Supplements Can Lessen Insomnia

Natural herbs are a great way to fight insomnia. Many of these natural sleep aids are also inexpensive to purchase. Like all drugs, you should consult with your doctor or a qualified herbalist before attempting treatment.

Most natural herbs can safely be used to treat insomnia. However, ask your doctor first if you are taking any medications or plan on using prescription sleep aids along with natural herbs.

A herb called valerian has proven especially effective in helping insomnia patients. This natural sleep aid allows patients to fall asleep quicker and helps them achieve a sounder sleep state necessary for dreams and restful sleep to occur.

Corydalis is a herb that both relaxes insomnia sufferers and lessens physical pain due to other illnesses that may be the root cause of insomnia.

Chamomile is a well known herb that can be consumed in the form of tea or as an extract. In addition to treating insomnia, chamomile helps reduce stress and depression.

Light sleepers may want to try lemon balm to lessen the effects of insomnia. This natural herb is popular for treating mild insomnia cases since it effectively reduces stress and anxiety levels.

Rozerem, a Non-Addictive Sleep Aid for Light Sleepers and Insomniacs

If you’ve suffered from insomnia for an extended period of time, you may be familiar with a new prescription sleep aid called Rozerem. Rozerem is unique from other sleep drugs as it does not cause dependence or harmful side effects.

Rozerem can be taken safely by most insomnia patients for an extended time. However, it is not necessary to take Rozerem on a daily basis. Simply take the Rozerem tablets on the days you have trouble sleeping.

Although Rozerem does not cause excess grogginess, insomnia sufferers should refrain from potentially harmful activities like alcohol consumption while using this sleep aid.

In order to learn more about Rozerem and decide if it’s the right sleep aid to treat your insomnia, visit our Rozerem facts page for more details.

Easy Guide to Non-prescription Sleep Aids

Your insomnia comes and goes? You need at least 5 hours of sleep? You want something fast that you can get without a prescription. Besides, you really don’t want to mess with those presumably “heavy duty” prescription sleeping medications. So here are the fast facts about non prescription sleep aids to guide you.

Usually, non prescription sleep aids generally refer to 2 types of sleep aids. They are the antihistamines and the dietary supplements.

Antihistamines:

1. How do they work? The ones used as non prescription sleep aids have been around for awhile, probably since you were a kid. These are the very drugs you take when you have cough and cold or allergies.

These antihistamines are very popular not just because they are effective for your cough and allergies. You recover faster because the “benefit” of their side effect of prolonged drowsiness “forces” your body to rest and recover. In the same way, you are basically using the drowsiness side effect to get you to sleep

2. What are they? Antihistamines used as non prescription sleep aids consist of 2 types of active ingredients i.e. diphenhydramine and doxylamine

3. Popular brands are:

Sominex, Nytol, Tylenol PM, Benadryl (Diphenhydramine compound) Unisom, Equate (Doxylamine compound)

4. Side effects that are common:

Prolonged drowsiness or hangover effect that impairs driving, etc Dizziness Fatigue Headaches Reduced alertness Vomiting

Racing heartbeat and constipation are also becoming frequent complaints in this group of non prescription sleep aids.

5. Who Can’t Use Them

However, there are certain groups of people who cannot use the antihistamines as a non prescription sleep aid. As with any medication, they are not for pregnant or nursing women due to unknown risk of drug transfer to the fetus and young infant on mother’s milk.

You are advised against taking diphenhydramine (Sominex, Nytol) if you have:

Heart problems Glaucoma Enlarged prostate

Especially for Unisom, you can’t even take them if you’ve got asthma or bronchitis.

6. Other precautions when you take the antihistamines.

Avoid alcohol. It increases the sedative effects of the pills. Even a small amount of alcohol combined with sleep aids can make you feel dizzy, confused or faint.

Never mix with a sleeping pill, sedative, tranquilizer, or another antihistamine. This could lead to dangerous drug-drug interaction outcomes.

Dietary Supplements:

2 of the most popular dietary supplements used as non prescription sleep aids are melatonin and valerian. This is followed by chamomile, a much milder non prescription sleep aid, that is frequently combined with other herbs as supplements in capsules.

Melatonin

It’s a hormone secreted from the pineal gland in our brain. It regulates our bodies’ internal clock or circadian rhythm i.e when it’s time to go to sleep and when it’s time to wake up. Melatonin has created much interest among researchers; you will find over 14,000 studies on this hormone compared to valerian with 556 studies, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) database.

Melatonin is probably the most widely prescribed among herbal non prescription sleep aids. Even 15% of pediatricians who prescribe sleep aids for children with insomnia recommend melatonin, according to the medical journal Pediatrics (2002).

Its synthetic form is available in many brands; AVOID natural forms that are basically melatonin derived from animal’s pineal glands due to possible contamination Side effects that are common are daytime drowsiness headaches, dizziness, a “heavy-head” feeling, stomach discomfort It may interact with common drugs

Valerian

It’s a plant; its active ingredient is still unclear therefore how it works is unclear too. Valerian appears to increase the body’s available supply of the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). It’s generally thought to help reduce the time to get to sleep.

Valerian is less effective than prescription sleep medication. One possible advantage of valerian, however, is that it does not seem to cause as much of a “hangover” effect the next day. Also, people taking sleeping pills sometimes have a temporary worsening of insomnia when they are discontinued (rebound insomnia), an effect that hasn’t been reported with valerian.

Available in many brands but hard to compare as the potencies of various ingredients vary from preparation to preparation. Generally safe when taken in recommended dosages. However, high doses of valerian can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness, vivid dreams, weakened heartbeat and even paralysis. Not to be used by pregnant or nursing women like any other non prescription sleep aid It may strongly react with other prescription on non prescription sleep aids, alcohol, and other medications

Chamomile

It’s one of nature’s oldest herbal sleep aid used for centuries. It is best known as one of the gentlest non prescription sleep aids around. The active ingredients are flavonoids namely, chrysin and apigenin, believed to reduce restlessness helping one feel more relaxed and more prepared to sleep.

It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. That’s why it’s also popularly used in cases of stomach irritation.

Known as a ‘plant doctor’ stimulating the health of other plants, you will find it in countless brands as it is popularly combined with other herbs to make standardized herbal remedies. It does not lead to dependency and has not been shown to have any side effects. However, it may cause allergic reactions in people who have plant or pollen allergies. Avoid using with other prescription on non prescription sleep aids, alcohol and medication as it may increase their effects