They have a much higher risk of dependency, withdrawal and side effects than OTC sleeping pills such as Nytol. Tranquillisers and benzodiazepines can be pretty problematic meds, too. Valerian root is found in a number of popular sleep aids, such as Kalms.” What about benzodiazepines or melatonin? It actively promotes sleep and may be best suited to regulate your body clock. “But if you’re struggling to sleep due to disruptions to your body clock, I’d recommend valerian root. Nytol, for example, would be a good choice. “If you’ve been struggling with stress, I’d say an OTC medication with a calming effect is your best option. “Sleep deprivation can be caused by a whole range of things, from hormone imbalances to stress and anxiety,” says Hussain Abdeh, superintendent pharmacist at Medicine Direct. READ NEXT: These are the best magnesium supplements to buy right now Which type of sleeping pill is best for me?Įxperts recommend sedating antihistamines to get you through a period of stress-related insomnia, and herbal/natural sleep aids to sort out disrupted sleep patterns (after travelling, for example) and for longer-term use.īest earplugs 2022: Protect your hearing from just £4.60
Vitamin B12 also appears regularly in natural sleep aids.
Chamomile and lavender are two of the most commonly used herbs in natural sleep aids.(A double dose helped too, but made them more tired the next day.) Tests have shown that 450mg per night helps people fall asleep faster. The plant grows all over Europe, and acts as a sedative on the brain and nervous system. Valerian root has been used as a natural sleep aid for thousands of years.Here are some of the ingredients they contain: Herbal sleeping pills and natural sleep aids can be extremely effective. The downside of sedating antihistamines is that your body develops a tolerance to them over a few days, and they effectively stop working after a week or so. As well as making you drowsy and helping you sleep, these types of sleeping pill may also soothe your allergies. Most over-the-counter sleeping pills are based on sedating antihistamines (the “drowsy” type of antihistamine), usually either promethazine (for example, Sominex) or diphenhydramine (for example, Nytol One-A-Night).
How to choose the best sleeping pills for you What ingredients do sleeping pills contain? Best homeopathic option: Rescue Night Liquid Melts | Buy now.Best melatonin-style option: Nutrienne 5HTP+ Sleep Capsules | Buy now.Best herbal option: Kalms Night | Buy now.