Supplements for Sleep

Reduces cortisol and anxiety while improving sleep quality and physical recovery in stressed adults.

Supports 300+ enzymatic reactions — critical for sleep, stress response, muscle function, and cognitive health.

A gentle, well-tolerated calming herb with mixed evidence for generalized anxiety and a modest signal for better sleep quality.

Sole dietary precursor to serotonin and melatonin, studied for sleep onset and as an add-on to antidepressants.

Beat placebo for depression in meta-analyses, and small trials found no significant difference versus SSRIs, which does not show equal effect. Also studied for anxiety and PMS symptoms.

Hormone-like vitamin that regulates 1,000+ genes — deficiency is widespread and linked to poor immunity, depression, and bone loss.

A prescription antidepressant that is FDA-approved only for major depressive disorder but is prescribed overwhelmingly OFF-LABEL at low dose (around 50 mg) as a sleep aid — in the US it is the second most commonly prescribed agent for insomnia. The evidence for that use is much thinner than the prescribing volume suggests: the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's clinical practice guideline suggests clinicians NOT use trazodone for sleep-onset or sleep-maintenance insomnia, a weak recommendation against. It is not a benign sleep aid — it causes next-day cognitive and motor impairment, orthostatic hypotension and falls, QT prolongation, serotonin syndrome when combined with other serotonergic drugs or supplements, and rarely priapism, a urological emergency.

Regulates the circadian clock to reduce sleep onset time — most effective at low doses (0.3-1mg) for jet lag and rhythm disorders.

Blocks adenosine receptors to boost alertness, reaction time, and endurance — an umbrella review of 21 meta-analyses found it ergogenic for endurance, strength and power.

Essential fatty acids critical for brain health, mood regulation, and reducing inflammation throughout the body.