The Best Non-Prescription Sleeping Aid?

If you suffer from sleep problems, you're not alone. Research has shown that one in three people experience either primary or secondary insomnia at some time in their lives. Primary insomnia means that sleep problems occur with no apparent external cause. Secondary insomnia occurs when sleep problems are related to something else. Secondary insomnia can be caused by a myriad of factors, including illnesses, medications, significant life events (such as changing jobs) and even chronic stress.

What makes 5HTP the best sleep aid? The answer lies in melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep, and serotonin, the neurotransmitter melatonin is manufactured from in the brain. Melatonin controls the body's circadian rhythm, which is in essence our internal "clock" which tells us when it's time to rest.

5-Hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is a naturally occurring amino acid used by the brain to make the neurotransmitter serotonin. Sleeping patterns, mood, and the perception of pain and happiness are all regulated in large part by serotonin. 5-HTP is itself the chemical precursor to serotonin, which means that without it, serotonin production does not occur.

Taking a 5-HTP supplement amounts to giving the brain more of the material it needs to make serotonin. Serotonin is converted to melatonin in the brain's pineal gland, so the more serotonin available, the more melatonin can be manufactured. 5HTP's ability to effectively enhance melatonin production is one of the reasons it may be the best sleep aid for insomnia sufferers.

Studies conducted at the National Institutes of Health showed that 5HTP has the effect of extending the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep, in which dreaming usually occurs, and improves the quality of deep-sleep phases without extending total sleep time. Unlike 5HTP, prescription sleep aids do not provide a higher quality of sleep, and tend to extend total sleep time, to the point of causing daytime drowsiness.

These medications have also been reported to impair memory and result in dependence, neither of which have been documented in association with 5HTP use. For those wishing to control insomnia without experiencing these negative side effects, 5HTP may be the best sleep aid available.

When taking a 5HTP supplement to promote restful sleep, a common dosage is 100 mg, taken about half and hour before bedtime. 5HTP may not be medically appropriate for everyone, and should not be taken by those using anti-Parkinson's or prescription antidepressant medications. Consulting a health care professional before beginning a 5htp regimen is advised.