According to the CDC, 35.2% of all adults in the U.S. report sleeping less than seven hours per night on average, but the Sleep Foundation says adults between the ages of 18 and 64 need seven to nine hours of sleep. Proper rest is critical to our overall health and wellness, and most supplements on the market contain melatonin, which is a hormone that occurs naturally in our bodies and not a drug, but can still come with side effects.
Some call it the “hangover effect” because it can make you feel groggy come morning, which is also why it’s often recommended as a short-term sleep aid and not something to use for months on end. These six supplements are melatonin-free and super effective for a good night’s snooze.
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HUM Nutrition Mighty Night ($40)
In addition to sleep-enhancing valerian root, passion flower and hops, these softgels also possess skin-care benefits. Ceramides help the skin retain moisture overnight (when moisture loss is at a high), and antioxidants ferulic acid and coQ10 fight free radicals to prevent signs of aging. Take two at bedtime, with or without food.
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Arrae Sleep ($48)
According to the brand’s research, women are 40 percent more likely to have insomnia than men, and women are also more likely to have more excessive daytime sleepiness and a higher degree of difficulty concentrating on things due to lack of sleep or tiredness. These melatonin-free capsules contain a blend of four herbs and a neurotransmitter to help regulate the body’s natural sleep cycle. They help you fall asleep in less than an hour, so take them ahead of bedtime.
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Genexa Sleepology ($17)
Our 2021 NewBeauty Award winner for Best Sleep Supplement, these organic chewable tablets (they have a vanilla-lavender flavor) promote deep and restful sleep so you can wake up feeling your best. Chew two at bedtime and let the homeopathic remedy work its magic.
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Hush & Hush MindYourMind ($55)
These capsules contain natural calming ingredients such as tryptophan, valerian root, magnesium and holy basil leaf that bring about a sense of calm during that last hour before bedtime (so be sure to take it at least 30 minutes before you want to doze off). Once you’re asleep, it helps you sleep sounder, and without any drowsiness come morning.
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Equilibria Rapid Sleep Melts ($45)
For those who like hemp-based sleep enhancers, these melt-in-your-mouth, cherry-flavored tablets are made with 5 milligrams of full-spectrum hemp (CBN), 10 milligrams of GABA and tart cherry extract, and they’re also vegan and sugar-free. The quick onset time—10 to 15 minutes—is patent-pending technology that allows users to drift off faster and absorb the supplement better.
Here’s how the brand says to use it: Wet your mouth with a sip of water and swallow. Then place the melt under your tongue and do not swallow until it dissolves, which takes no more than five minutes. Avoid chewing, crushing or swallowing the melt whole.
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Remrise Sleep Vitamins ($50)
A blend of Eastern and Western medicine, these capsules are made with tryptophan, reishi, magnolia bark, spine date seed, schisandra berry, and magnesium to promote real REM sleep (take four an hour before bed). If you take them regularly, the brand says they can also “help improve mental acuity, boost the immune system, reduce symptoms of anxiety, and promote gut health utilizing natural ingredients to restore your body’s individual circadian rhythm.”
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