Alaska Sleep Education Center

Many factors can interfere with a good night’s sleep – from stress and family responsibilities to work and social commitments.  

We all have trouble sleeping sometimes, but when we’re sleep-deprived day after day, it can become a real problem. Sleeping well affects our mental and physical health and helps us function during the day. Poor sleep leaves us tired and moody and affects daytime productivity, energy, and emotional balance.

If you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, you may have turned to sleep medications for relief. However, many of these drugs have unwanted side effects, such as dizziness, headaches, abdominal discomfort, and strange dreams. Some are also addictive.

Natural sleep aid products are a much better solution. Below, we explore the best products to help you fall asleep faster.

Melatonin

Melatonin is one of the most favored sleep aid products on the market. There is a wide range of melatonin supplements, and most are available over the counter. 

Melatonin is a hormone your body produces naturally that helps let you know when it’s time to sleep. As melatonin levels increase in the evening, it puts you in a state of quiet wakefulness that helps promote sleep. 

Darkness triggers the brain to make melatonin, and most people’s bodies produce enough to sleep on their own. However, some people who have trouble falling asleep have low melatonin levels and may need supplements to support their natural melatonin production. 

Melatonin sleep aid products may help with certain conditions, such as delayed sleep-wake phase disorder and jet lag.

CBD Products
CBD is a natural wellness supplement with many potential benefits, including stress relief, pain management, and improving mood. It’s also often touted for sleep support. 
Many things cause poor sleep, such as anxiety disorders, general stress, pain, and physical conditions like restless leg syndrome and medications that disrupt your sleep-wake cycle. If external factors cause your sleeplessness, CBD products may help by treating the cause.
For instance, if stress prevents you from getting a good night’s rest, CBD could help by calming the mind. CBD is also proven by many experts to have the potential to help alleviate other stress-related issues like anxiety and depression. Furthermore, CBD can also help relieve aches and pain, so if the pain is affecting your sleep, CBD may be useful.
An array of products are available, including CBD oils, capsules, and edibles. Many CBD supplements designed to promote sleep incorporate other natural ingredients with sleep properties to enhance these effects. One example is the CBD gummies from PureKana, which contain a potent dose of CBD alongside CBN and melatonin. You can find them here: https://purekana.com/products/cbd-gummies-for-sleep/.
 
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral responsible for more than 300 processes in the body. It supports a healthy immune system, regulates muscle and nerve function, and keeps your bones strong.
Additionally, magnesium plays a large role in sleep regulation. Specifically, the mineral may improve sleep quality and reduce sleep latency – the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep. One 2020 study on young women reported that taking sufficient amounts of several nutrients, including magnesium, is important for sleep quality.
There are many different types of magnesium supplements available that can be beneficial for sleep.
 
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile has calming effects and is widely regarded as a mild tranquilizer and sleep-inducer. People have been drinking chamomile tea as a popular sleep remedy for years.
Researchers believe that chamomile’s sleep properties may be largely linked to its flavonoid content; specifically, a flavonoid called apigenin. Apigenin interacts with benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, which has a sedative effect.
Drinking chamomile tea is a great addition to your nighttime routine, helping to calm the mind before bed. 
 
Lavender Oil
Lavender is a popular essential oil, most commonly used for relaxation and sleep. A 2019 review confirms that lavender has calming and soothing effects that may improve sleep quality and duration. 
When used before bed, lavender oil can help you fall asleep and improve the overall quality of rest. Like other essential oils, lavender oil can be inhaled or applied topically. Applying it to your feet, wrists, and temples may be especially beneficial. You can also place a couple of drops on your pillow. 
 
Final Thoughts on Sleep Aid Products to Fall Asleep Faster
People who have difficulty sleeping but prefer to avoid addictive drugs with negative side effects may prefer natural sleep aid products as opposed to medications. 
Several natural products can improve sleep quality and latency.  CBD supplements that incorporate cannabidiol and melatonin, such as PureKana’s CBD sleep gummies, may be especially beneficial as they provide the sleep-promoting properties of both compounds.  
Poor sleep affects mental and physical health, so it’s important to find sleep aid products that are effective at promoting a better night’s rest. 
Talk To Your Doctor First
If you’re planning to use sleeping aids to improve the quality of your rest at night, make sure to talk to your doctor about it. Sleeping aids can be very useful for individuals who struggle to get some shuteye every night. However, using these without the approval of a medical professional can also result in side effects and health risks.
Talk to your doctor about your plans for using sleeping aids and ask about the appropriate dosage suitable for your needs. With their approval, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the sleeping aids you’ll use won’t put your health and safety at risk. 
All four of the Alaska Sleep Clinic locations are accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).  AASM is a professional society of physicians, researchers and other health care professionals who specialize in the study, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. The organization accredits sleep medicine centers in the United States.
About Accredited Sleep Centers
Each sleep center accredited with the AASM has demonstrated a commitment to the highest quality of care in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Accredited facilities have a board-certified sleep medicine physician, who leads a sleep team of trained health care professionals. To become accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, sleep centers must comply with the AASM Standards for Accreditation, the gold standard for patient care in the sleep field. These requirements incorporate the latest diagnostic and treatment advances, and the standards ensure that sleep centers provide high-quality, patient-centered care.
Call Alaska Sleep Clinic today to speak with a board-certified sleep specialist.  ASC has been using Telemedicine for years and has the most experience using Telemedicine than any other lab in Alaska.
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Alaska Sleep Clinic's Blog

Our weekly updated blog aims to provide you with answers and information to all of your sleeping questions.

Brent Fisher, MBA, FACHE, FACMPE
President and Chief Executive Officer

“Alaska Sleep Clinic has a history of providing the most comprehensive sleep medicine services in the state of Alaska. Its potential has only begun. I am here to take these high-quality, comprehensive services to all Alaskans.”

Experience

Brent Fisher has held leadership positions spanning a wide variety of complex and start-up organizations: manufacturing (pharmaceutical & medical device), software development, hospitals (academic and community), medical groups, consulting, hospice, military, engineered devices, engineered plastics, and private equity.

Publications and Organizations

His writings have been published in various magazines, trade journals, and medical journals, including the Physician Executive Journal, Healthcare Executive, Modern Healthcare, Group Practice Journal, New England Journal of Medicine, and Journal of Healthcare Management (Best Article Award).

He has served on the Board of Directors of professional associations, civic organizations, and businesses.

Hobbies and Activities

Brent enjoys being with his family, serving in the community, hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting.