Sleep is essential for health. Along with diet and daily movement, it is considered one of the three pillars of health and wellness. Yet, nearly 84 million Americans are not getting the recommended amount of sleep.

 

Many factors, from diet to environment, can contribute to a person’s quality of sleep. However, one of the most significant factors affecting people’s sleep is pain. Both chronic and moderate pain can make it difficult to get comfortable, fall asleep, and stay asleep. One way people are fighting their inability to sleep is with natural sleep aids.      

What Are Natural Sleep Aids

A natural sleep aid is a natural dietary supplement (typically a vitamin or mineral) that can help individuals fall asleep faster and stay asleep. Natural sleep aids are not prescription medications. You can easily find most of them at your local convenience store. 

Types of Natural Sleep Aids

There are many over-the-counter sleep aids that you can try to help reduce discomfort and induce a better night’s sleep. A few popular options include melatonin, CBD, magnesium, L-theanine, and valerian. 

Melatonin

One of the most popular natural sleep aids for adults is melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that the body naturally produces to regulate the sleep/wake cycle. Sometimes, when you’re in discomfort, you rely on devices like phones and televisions to help you sleep, which can disrupt your body’s melatonin production and make it more difficult to fall asleep. Taking a melatonin supplement can regulate the sleep/wake cycle, making it easier for you to fall asleep.  

CBD

A growing favorite among many Americans is CBD. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the many active compounds of the cannabis plant. Unlike the compound THC, CBD does not cause a high and is not impairing. However, early research suggests it may help with moderate pain and relaxation to help you sleep better.  

Magnesium 

Magnesium is a mineral that can affect nerve function, blood sugar, muscle function, and bone development. We get magnesium from our diets, primarily foods like nuts, leafy greens, and whole grains, but you can also get it from supplements if you’re not getting enough from food alone. Research suggests that people with higher magnesium levels get better quality sleep. 

L-Theanine

L-theanine, a natural ingredient primarily found in teas that promote relaxation, can be a great natural sleep aid if your pain comes from stress or muscle tension. While it doesn’t induce drowsiness, it can promote relaxed brain activity to calm the body and mind and help you sleep. 

Improving Chronic Pain With Mocek Spine 

If your pain is significantly affecting your sleep and other areas of your life, it may be time to speak with the pain specialists at Mocek Spine. We’re dedicated to delivering medical excellence through compassionate care to all our patients. We offer various minimally invasive pain treatment options and are here to help patients find the right solutions to their pain.  

Contact us to learn more about minimally invasive options to ease your chronic pain and help you sleep better at night.