Sleep Gummies: How Do They Promote Sleep?

Those with sleeping troubles have mountains of options they can turn to with mixed success. Read a book, do yoga, don’t look at electronics 30 minutes before bed, exercise to tire yourself out — some of these may work, but not for everyone. No one person is exactly like another, so there is no guarantee that what works for others will work for an individual. In lieu of achieving decent rest with these tips, some might turn to sleep gummies for an answer.

Sleep gummies are another natural solution that might be able to aid a restless sleeper in getting a full night of sweet dreams. However, many would like to learn about them before grabbing a bottle at the store. While it is best to speak with a medical professional before making any decisions on supplements, here is a look at what sleep gummies are and how they work.

What Are Sleep Gummies?

As their name suggests, sleep gummies are a way to help people sleep better. Instead of taking a pill, they can simply consume a delicious gummy that may be an answer to their problems. The gummies might be great for people who can’t take pills, children who have trouble with medicine or anyone who would rather have something that tastes good over something they merely swallow.

Some may love that they’re a natural option for anyone struggling with resting. There are three typical components that could make up the sleep-inducing chews — L-theanine, cannabidiol (CBD) and melatonin. Each of these has a different effect that could help someone finally get a good night’s sleep.

L-theanine

This amino acid naturally occurs in some tea leaves, which is probably why another commonly recommended sleep is to drink tea before bed. However, taking a gummy with L-theanine helps avoid taking in any liquid that could result in a late-night disruption. It works by promoting anxiolysis — or reducing anxiety.

It can work even better when people take it with GABA — gamma-aminobutyric acid. In one study, these two ingredients showed an 87.3% increase in sleep duration in mice compared to taking them alone. While L-theanine does a great job of promoting sleep on its own, finding a gummy with GABA could also help some people find peaceful nights.

CBD

While utilizing cannabidiol for sleep is nothing new, studies on its effectiveness are. It is an active ingredient in marijuana but does not have the mind-altering effect tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has. Many people know it for its medicinal properties, such as reducing pain and seizures. But it can also act as a powerful sleep aid for those who need it most.

Manufacturers can create CBD synthetically, but it is also possible to extract it from the cannabis plant. However, remember that this chemical does not work the same way as THC. Multiple studies have shown its ability to improve symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, as well as increase sleep duration. While more research is essential, these early findings are promising.

Melatonin

Melatonin is the component most people probably think of when they picture sleep gummies. It naturally occurs in the human body — low lights and minimal screen exposure before bed can help promote melatonin production. Aside from disrupting the body’s natural circadian rhythm, increased blue light at night can actually inhibit melatonin secretion in the brain. However, any bright-enough light can also have the same effect.

This is because melatonin has a direct influence on circadian rhythms. It responds to darkness, sending signals that it’s time to be tired and go to bed. It helps control the body’s sleep patterns and makes a person fall asleep faster and less likely to wake up in the middle of the night. It can also be an effective treatment for jet lag, since it can help someone regulate their circadian rhythms.

How Do Sleep Gummies Work?

Each active ingredient has a different effect on the brain. Therefore, it is crucial to look at what is in the gummies before purchasing them since they may not be the proper answer to an individual’s problem. All in all, each supplement works to encourage effective sleep patterns, reduce stress and influence better sleep in the brain.

As was stated before, melatonin helps the body know when it is time to sleep. It activates and releases when it gets dark outside so a person gets drowsy. Some people have reduced melatonin production, which is why it can be helpful to take it in gummy or pill form to promote falling and staying asleep.

CBD can work by reducing anxiety, which can significantly affect a person’s ability to sleep. This ability is one of its main features of being a potential sleep aid. However, it can also do plenty of work to adjust a person’s sleep-wake cycle. It can help prevent daytime drowsiness and promote feelings of wakefulness in low doses, but higher amounts can also act to sedate someone if they take it a few hours before they plan to go to bed.

L-theanine has some fascinating effects on the brain. First, it can promote higher levels of GABA, along with serotonin and dopamine. GABA also helps the body fall asleep, but increased dopamine and serotonin also help the brain calm down, which can lead to better rest. However, it also lowers the number of chemicals that induce stress and anxiety at the same time. Interestingly L-theanine also appears to encourage alpha brain waves, which occur during rapid-eye-movement sleep — or the deepest stage of rest.

Using Sleep Gummies to Promote Proper Rest

Each ingredient of sleep gummies can help a person finally obtain the sleep they’ve been craving. However, speaking with a doctor before adding any supplements to a diet is vital. These ingredients can work against some medications and the body could eventually become tolerant of them, causing them not to work. They can be incredibly helpful for some people, but others may need to find an alternative.

Overall, the ingredients of sleep gummies have recorded effects of promoting more peaceful rest. Talk to a physician today if these sound like they could be the solution to any sleep-related stressors.