How Nootropics Can Help You Sleep Better

Majority of us go to sleep at night, not giving it a second thought. However, many people are not so lucky. There are various sleep disorders that inhibit people from getting enough sleep. These disorders also hinder the quality of sleep.

Getting enough sleep is essential for your health; both physical and mental. If you do not sleep well, you have probably been looking for solutions. Luckily, there are nootropics that help promote sleep. Although nootropics are generally sought after for their positive cognitive effects. They also improve sleep.

Why Is Sleep So Important?

Although you may not be active while you sleep, your brain sure is. As you sleep, your brain is highly active in terms of brain function and development. There are four stages of sleep. When we’re in a deep state of sleep, this is known as REM sleep (rapid eye movement). This is the fourth stage of sleep, which is when we dream.

Deep sleep tends to decline as we age. As we sleep and approach REM, information is consolidated. This is why sleep is so essential, as it plays a major role in how well we process and remember information.

If we do not reach REM and deep sleep, we become lethargic, lack focus, and our mood worsens. There are over 35 million Americans who have trouble sleeping. When focusing on brain health, sleep is one of the most important lifestyle factors.

We now know that sleep if vital for learning, performance, and memory. When we do not get enough sleep, our brain becomes over-stressed and tired. Sleep is so important, as it influences daily brain functions. When we lack sleep, our brain power may actually be short-circuited.

Nootropics and Sleep

As we now know, sleep is essential for our brain. Not only can lack of sleep make us lethargic, but it can actually negatively affect your cognitive health. If you do not sleep enough, you can harm your neurons and memory systems.

Yes, nootropics are taken to improve cognitive functioning, yet they’re also used to improve sleeping patterns. Improvements are seen when trying to fall asleep, improving the quality of sleep, while promoting a more restful sleep.

There are many factors that may be interfering with your sleeping patterns. It’s important to figure out what these factors are and address them. Stress is a common factor, as people are not able to reach relaxation. This can make it hard when trying to ‘turn off’ your brain for the night. Others fall asleep, yet they do not spend enough time in a deep sleep.

Factors That Affect Sleep and How Nootropics Can Help

Each individual differs in terms of their sleeping habits. Some individuals are able to fall asleep, but then wake up often. Others fall asleep quickly, but can’t seem to reach REM for long enough periods of time. There are nootropics that target various issues.

When You Need to Fall Asleep Quickly

Not being able to fall asleep is more common than we’d like to believe. If you’re someone that tosses and turns, you may be experiencing cognitive over-excitement. When this occurs, you need to boost neurotransmitters that have an inhibitory effect.

Phenibut is one the strongest nootropics that you can take in terms of relaxation. Taking a dose before bed, allows this supplement to cross the blood-brain barrier, affecting brain chemicals. This allows the brain to be less active, as GABA and dopamine are affected. These both help counteract feelings of anxiety.

Picamilon is another supplement that increases relaxation, allowing you to sleep better. This supplement is made from Niacin and GABA (which is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter). This supplement inhibits your neurons from becoming overly excited.

Basically, GABA has the ability to turn off excitatory neurons, creating feelings of relaxation, well-being, and calmness. When this neurotransmitter is boosted, one’s ability to fall asleep increases. If your excitatory neurotransmitters are high and unbalanced, you can struggle to fall asleep.

When You Struggle to Stay Asleep

Many individuals struggle to stay asleep. If you wake up frequently, this is hard on your sleep cycle. You brain will not get the rest it needs in order to function properly. Once again, Phenibut is a good choice. Since its relaxation effects are not short-lived, it can help individuals wake up less often.

Aniracetam is another nootropic suggested for sleeping difficulties. Since Aniracetam utilizes serotonin and dopamine; mood, relaxation, and sleep are improved. It is also used for combating anxiety and depression, which are often linked to sleeping difficulties.

When You Need a More Restful Sleep

Some individuals can sleep straight through the night. They wake up feeling as though they only feel asleep a few minutes ago. When you’re woken up by an alarm clock for instance, it’s common to feel foggy and confused. This is because you’re awakening yourself from your REM cycle.

If you’re trying to achieve deeper sleep, L-Theanine is a great solution. This compound is found in green tea, targeting your alpha brain waves. In turn, this creates deep relaxation. When your body is relaxed and your brain is calm, you can potentially sleep much deeper.

When individuals have taken Huperzine A, they have increased their deep sleep by up to 30%. Since this supplement can potentially create a tolerance, it’s recommended that you only use Huperzine A a couple times a week.