Can’t Sleep? The Best Natural Ingredients for Calming Your Body and Brain

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with your mind racing and just stared into the darkness, wishing you were asleep but unable to get your body to cooperate? Maybe it was a deadline at work that was causing increased stress. Whatever the reason, we have all experienced nights of tossing and turning where we can’t sleep.

What’s Really Keeping You Awake at Night

Sleep disruptions are not only inconvenient, they are also detrimental to our health. Our bodies need sleep to recharge metabolism, balance hormones, and support energy use and cellular renewal. If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, it may be in your best interest to understand the root cause of your sleeplessness. Some common sleep disruptors include:

• Drop in melatonin - Melatonin (our sleep-wake hormone) is relatively stable until around age 40. After that, it naturally declines, which can lead to sleep disruptions.
• Blood sugar levels - Research has shown that having a blood sugar level that is too high or too low directly impacts sleep.
• Hormonal fluctuations - For women, sleep challenges can start during hormonal changes that come with aging.

Fortunately, once we identify the root of our sleeplessness, we can start to address the issue in order to support sleep quality. One general way we can support overall sleep quality is by creating a nighttime routine.

How to Create a Natural Nighttime Routine

Consistency is key when it comes to biohacking your sleep. Biohacking sleep includes elements like sleep tracking technology, optimizing your sleep environment, hacking your circadian rhythm, pre-bed breathwork or meditation, and supplementation. 

Many of these activities are a way to train our minds and bodies to recognize cues to help us relax and prepare for sleep. We can do this by adding structure to our nightly routine. This could include dimming lights, disconnecting from electronics, reading, journaling, and stretching. We can also incorporate natural ingredients, such as the ones found in NAD Dreams, to give our bodies the support they need in order to have a restful night’s sleep.

The Best Natural Ingredients to Enhance Your Sleep

Understanding the critical role sleep plays in cellular function, metabolism, and overall well-being, our team created NAD Dreams. This restorative night elixir is formulated with research-backed natural ingredients for sleep, including NAD+ precursors to help support optimal cell performance. Here’s what you can expect from these powerful ingredients:

Magnesium

Our synergistic blend promotes deep relaxation, stress relief, and supports restorative sleep. Magnesium Citrate aids in relieving muscle tension and supports detoxification, enhancing relaxation and skin clarity. Bisglycinate Chelate supports calming the nervous system, aiding sleep and cellular recovery, and promoting a healthy, radiant complexion. Gluconate enhances hydration and circulation and promotes restful beauty sleep.

L-Theanine

Clinically studied for its ability to promote calm and focus without drowsiness, L-theanine enhances alpha brainwave activity to support mental clarity.

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

A key neurotransmitter that supports relaxation and balance in the central nervous system, GABA promotes a sense of calm and restful sleep quality. We included this ingredient in our NAD Dreams formulation to support mental clarity and balance during times of stress.

Organic Red Reishi Extract

Known as the “mushroom of immortality,” red reishi is a powerful adaptogen that helps manage stress, supports immunity, and sleep quality.

Apigenin

A naturally occurring flavonoid found in chamomile and parsley, apigenin supports GABAergic activity to promote relaxation and balance to the nervous system and aid in sleep quality and stress management.

Organic Tart Cherry

Rich in naturally occurring melatonin and anthocyanins, tart cherry supports healthy sleep cycles, promotes recovery from exercise, and aids in managing oxidative stress.

FAQs About Natural Sleep Ingredients

Still curious about how natural ingredients for sleep can help you? Check out these frequently asked questions to learn more!

Q: What are the best natural ingredients to help you sleep?

A: With so many sleep aids on the market, it can be confusing to know what to look for. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to look for research-backed natural ingredients from companies you trust. These could include: melatonin, GABA, chamomile, magnesium, and tart cherry, among others.

Q: Can magnesium really help with sleep and relaxation?

A: Research has shown that using magnesium for sleep leads to improved sleep quality and enhanced daily activity and productivity. 

Q: What does L-theanine do for sleep and anxiousness?

A: L-theanine is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves that promotes good quality sleep without causing drowsiness. It is also known for its ability to support anxiousness.

Q: How does GABA support better sleep?

A: It is scientifically well established that the activation of GABA receptors favors sleep. GABA supplements do this by helping slow down brain activity, making it easier to fall asleep.

Q: Is tart cherry juice effective for sleep?

A: A pilot study of tart cherry juice indicated improved sleep time and efficiency for those who with unwanted sleeping patterns.

Q: Can adaptogens like reishi mushrooms reduce nighttime stress?

A: Research has shown that adaptogens can decrease our sensitivity to stressors, thus helping us better manage stress levels, which can lead to better sleep.

Q: Are natural sleep supplements safe to take every night?

A: Sleep supplements, when taken as directed, are always most effective when used as part of a holistic sleep support routine. This means that you should also incorporate healthy habits like diet, exercise, creating a restful sleep environment, and prioritizing the right amount of time to sleep. It’s always best to work with your physician to ensure you are getting the care you need.

Sleep Like You Deserve It: With NAD Dreams

Whether you’ve been struggling with sleep for a while or are looking for a functional product that offers a full-body reset while also supporting sleep, NAD Dreams is your answer. This powerful nighttime drink brings together the most effective natural ingredients for sleep while promoting calm, strengthening the skin barrier and hydration, and promoting cellular energy. Get NAD Dreams today and sleep like a baby.