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Our Choice: Sleep Supplements in 2024

How To Choose Sleep Supplements in 2024


Can sleep supplements really fix your nighttime troubles? Here’s how to spot the ultimate sleep formula for restful, rejuvenating, and restorative nighttime sleep.


We all dread those seemingly endless nights of tossing and turning, just hoping that sleep will eventually come to us before the sun rises.


Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

According to the Sleep Foundation, 35.2% of American adults say they sleep less than the recommended 7 hours per night! [1]

So what’s the most common solution that people turn to when they can’t stop tossing and turning? Sleep supplements!

How may other sleep supplements on the market not meet your needs?


Poor quality sleep seems to be a more and more common concern among people these days. This explains why sleep-supporting supplements are virtually everywhere.


Unfortunately, some generic sleep aids may not meet your needs or expectations. With so many options available, it can be hard to know which one to choose.


What type of sleep supplement may benefit you the most?


Fortunately, there are now plenty of high-quality sleep supplements that focus on herbal extracts and calming ingredients that may help support sleep quality with no daytime drowsiness or hung-over feeling. Best of all, many of these options use holistic ingredients that you can take daily before bedtime.


Spotting the ultimate sleep supplement doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are some popular ingredients found in holistic sleep supplements to look for when shopping for a sleep supplement.

What To Look For:

Melatonin

Melatonin is an essential sleep hormone that sends signals to your brain when it’s time to sleep, wake, and eat. Shown to help regulate your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm), melatonin can help regulate your body temperature and other important hormones needed to fall asleep soundly.*

Valerian root

Valerian root has been used for centuries for its calming, sleep-promoting benefits. Research suggests that valerian may help promote the length and quality of deep, restorative sleep, as well as reduce the time it takes to fall asleep at night.* [2]

Important Amino Acids

Amino acids like Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) and L-Tryptophan are thought to help your body produce the proteins and molecules needed for good sleep and relaxation.*

Calming Herbal Extracts

Look for soothing herbal extracts like chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, and hops. They are thought to help support relaxation and calm which are important for unwinding after a long day, de-stressing, and preparing your body for sleep.*

Magnesium

One of the most abundant minerals in your body, magnesium supports over 300 bodily processes, including sleep regulation. Magnesium supplementation has recently become a popular way to support sleep quality.*

Note: Individual results may vary.

Try To Avoid:

Unclear or Misleading Labels

A quality sleep supplement should always clearly list exactly what’s included in the formula.

Lack of Third-Party Testing

Look for sleep supplements that have been independently third-party lab tested. These unbiased test results will guarantee that the product is top quality and free from unwanted extras, such as contaminants, traces of heavy metals, or pesticides.

Diphenhydramine

Some generic sleep supplements may contain an antihistamine known as diphenhydramine that’s used in allergy medications. This ingredient may leave some with a sleepy, groggy feeling the next day.

Our Choice: Sleep Supplements in 2024

PROS
  • With valerian root, magnesium, amino acids, and melatonin
  • 90-day money-back guarantee
  • 2-capsule serving size
  • Includes 4 herbal extracts
  • Certified safety & purity testing
  • Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients

CONS
  • Only available online
  • Due to high demand, sometimes runs out of stock

BOTTOM LINE

Primal Sleep by Primal Harvest features a blend of premium ingredients including essential amino acids L-tryptophan and GABA, as well as melatonin, valerian root, and a form of magnesium known as magnesium bisglycinate chelate.


It also features an herbal extract blend of lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, and hops. It comes in a convenient two-capsule serving size which only needs to be taken about 30 minutes before sleep making it easy to incorporate into any bedtime routine.


As all high-quality supplements should be, Primal Sleep is third-party lab tested and made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients in a GMP-certified facility. The brand has a convenient Subscribe & Save program which means you can order this formula through their convenient and hassle-free subscription service. By signing up for a subscription you get 20% off all products plus free shipping.

To top it off, Primal Harvest has a 90-day money-back guarantee for all of its products.​

2. Qunol Sleep
by Qunol
GRADE
B+
PROS
  • Melatonin and GABA
  • Plant extracts
  • 1-capsule serving size
CONS
  • No magnesium
  • 30 day money-back guarantee

BOTTOM LINE

Qunol Sleep Support is a sleep support supplement with melatonin, ashwagandha, GABA, valerian root, and L-theanine. The serving size is 1 capsule daily and each container contains 60 servings. Although this sleep support formula features a wide range of ingredients, it does not include magnesium. Another aspect you may want to note is that the product website doesn't clearly state whether this supplement is third-party tested or not.

3. Nature's Bounty Melatonin
by Nature's Bounty
GRADE
B
PROS
  • Dissolvable tablet
  • Features 3 mg of melatonin
  • 1-tablet serving size
CONS
  • Can only be purchased through 3rd party retailers
  • Flavored

BOTTOM LINE

Nature’s Bounty Melatonin is a melatonin supplement that delivers 3 mg of melatonin in each quick-dissolve tablet. This product is simple and comes in a single tablet serving which is convenient to take. It’s good to note that the tablet comes in a cherry flavor as a flavored tablet may not be the most preferred way of taking a supplement for everyone.

4. Relaxium Sleep
by Relaxium
GRADE
C+
PROS
  • Includes melatonin, GABA, L-tryptophan
  • Contains magnesium
CONS
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

BOTTOM LINE

Relaxium Sleep by Relaxium is formulated with ingredients like valerian root, GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), and ashwagandha root. This sleep formula comes in two capsules which should be taken 30-40 minutes before bedtime. All-in-all this product is fairly similar to the number one product on this list, although you may want to note that Relaxium only offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

5. Melatonin
by Natrol
GRADE
C
PROS
  • 1-tablet serving size
  • 5 mg of melatonin
  • Price
CONS
  • No magnesium
  • Contains wheat and soy

BOTTOM LINE

Natrol’s dissolvable melatonin tablets deliver 5 mg of melatonin in each serving. While our team felt that these tablets are easy to take and liked that they are sold at an affordable price, they are not gluten-free as the product contains wheat. It also contains soy and therefore may not be suitable for everyone. They also only contain melatonin, making its variety of ingredients smaller than some of other products on our list.

Our Choice
  • by Primal Harvest [1]
    • USA-made with globally sourced ingredients
    • Features melatonin, valerian root, GABA & magnesium
    • Easy-to-swallow capsules
    • Made in a GMP-Certified facility
    • Free shipping on orders over $75
★★★★★
Based on 3739 Reviews of Primal Harvest

CITATIONS


DISCLAIMER: This scientific research is for informational purposes only. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Primal Harvest provides this information as a service but does not endorse it. This information should not be read to recommend or endorse any specific products.


[1] “Sleep Statistics - Facts and Data about Sleep 2023.” Sleep Foundation, 13 Feb. 2023, https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-facts-statistics.

[2] Donath F, Quispe S, Diefenbach K, Maurer A, Fietze I, Roots I. Critical evaluation of the effect of valerian extract on sleep structure and sleep quality. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2000;33(2):47-53. doi:10.1055/s-2000-7972


To see a list of our other references, please click here.

[1] This website is owned and operated by Primal Harvest®, and BeautyLux® brands.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Note: The information contained within this site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have, expect to have, or suspect you may have any medical condition, you are urged to consult with a health care provider. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only. * Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

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