What can I take to help me stay asleep?

Sleep aids: The options
  1. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine. ...
  2. Doxylamine (Unisom). Doxylamine is also a sedating antihistamine. ...
  3. Melatonin. The hormone melatonin helps control your natural sleep-wake cycle. ...
  4. Valerian. Supplements made from this plant are sometimes taken as sleep aids.


Why do I keep waking up at night?

Reasons this might happen include drinking caffeine or alcohol late in the day, a poor sleep environment, a sleep disorder, or another health condition. When you can't get back to sleep quickly, you won't get enough quality sleep to keep you refreshed and healthy.

Why do I struggle to stay asleep?

Common causes of chronic insomnia include: Stress. Concerns about work, school, health, finances or family can keep your mind active at night, making it difficult to sleep. Stressful life events or trauma — such as the death or illness of a loved one, divorce, or a job loss — also may lead to insomnia.


Why can't I stay asleep at night?

Make sure your room is as cool, dark, and quiet as possible. Only use your bedroom for sleep and sex. Turn off your TV, smartphone, and computer. The blue light from these devices delays the release of the hormone that helps you fall asleep (melatonin).

Is it OK to take melatonin every night?

Regardless of whether it truly helps with sleep or not, Dr. Ramkissoon doesn't recommend taking melatonin long-term. "Namely, because if you think you need to take melatonin every night to get to sleep, we need to understand why that's the case," explains Dr. Ramkissoon.


Medication for Sleep Problems



How can I sleep through the night without waking up?

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  1. Establish a quiet, relaxing bedtime routine. ...
  2. Relax your body. ...
  3. Make your bedroom conducive to sleep. ...
  4. Put clocks in your bedroom out of sight. ...
  5. Avoid caffeine after noon, and limit alcohol to 1 drink several hours before bedtime. ...
  6. Avoid smoking. ...
  7. Get regular exercise. ...
  8. Go to bed only when you're sleepy.


What are the negative effects of melatonin?

The most common melatonin side effects include: Headache. Dizziness. Nausea.
...
Other, less common melatonin side effects might include:
  • Vivid dreams or nightmares.
  • Short-term feelings of depression.
  • Irritability.
  • Stomach cramps.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Constipation.
  • Decreased appetite.
  • Urinary incontinence at night.


Who shouldn't take melatonin?

If you've been drinking alcohol, it's also not safe to take melatonin. Melatonin is also not for you if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Researchers simply don't have enough data to know if it's safe for fetuses or breastfed babies.


Why do I wake up in the middle of the night when I take melatonin?

Light defeats melatonin.

If you correctly take melatonin 2-3 hours before you want to fall asleep, but you continue to be exposed to bright light or “blue light” (such as every electronic screen you own, from your mobile phone to the TV), your body is getting mixed messages, and taking melatonin won't help.

What's the best melatonin?

A quick look at the best melatonin supplements
  • Best overall: Pure Encapsulations Melatonin.
  • Best gummy: Olly Sleep.
  • Best advanced-strength gummy: Vicks ZzzQuil PURE Zzzs.
  • Best for vegans: HUM Nutrition BEAUTY zzZz.
  • Best fast-dissolve tablet: Natrol Melatonin Sleep.


What foods contain melatonin?

Eggs and fish are higher melatonin-containing food groups in animal foods, whereas in plant foods, nuts are with the highest content of melatonin. Some kinds of mushrooms, cereals and germinated legumes or seeds are also good dietary sources of melatonin.


Does melatonin help you stay asleep?

About melatonin

It helps control your sleep patterns. You can take a manmade version of melatonin for short-term sleep problems (insomnia). It makes you fall asleep quicker and less likely to wake up during the night. It can also help with symptoms of jetlag.

Can you become dependent on melatonin?

Melatonin doesn't cause withdrawal or symptoms of dependence, unlike other sleep medications. It also doesn't cause a sleep “hangover,” and you don't build up a tolerance to it. In other words, it doesn't cause you to need more and more as time goes on, which is a hallmark of addiction.

Does melatonin make you gain weight?

The short answer is no. In fact, melatonin may well do the opposite. Melatonin is an incredibly important hormone that all human bodies produce so that we can sleep.


How do I stop waking up at 3am?

Aim for a consistent bedtime each night, and wake up at the same time each morning. Sleep in a comfortable, dark, quiet space. Make sure you're sleepy enough before going to bed, and don't lie there for 20 minutes or more if you can't fall asleep.

Why can I only stay asleep for 4 hours?

Common reasons include the following: Stress. Poor sleep environment caused by loud noises or light. Too much caffeine.

How can I force myself to sleep at night?

Here are 20 simple ways to fall asleep as fast as possible.
  1. Lower the temperature. ...
  2. Use the 4-7-8 breathing method. ...
  3. Get on a schedule. ...
  4. Experience both daylight and darkness. ...
  5. Practice yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. ...
  6. Avoid looking at your clock. ...
  7. Avoid naps during the day. ...
  8. Watch what and when you eat.


Does magnesium before bed help you sleep?

One study of older adults with insomnia found that magnesium supplementation at a dose of 500 milligrams daily for eight weeks helped them fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, reduced nighttime awakenings, and increased their levels of naturally circulating melatonin.

Why do I wake up at 4am and can't get back to sleep?

Anxiety or depression

Stress can make it hard to get to sleep in the first place (that's called sleep-onset insomnia). But anxiety can also cause you to wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble getting back to sleep (called middle insomnia, or sleep-maintenance insomnia).

Does melatonin help you stay asleep?

About melatonin

It helps control your sleep patterns. You can take a manmade version of melatonin for short-term sleep problems (insomnia). It makes you fall asleep quicker and less likely to wake up during the night. It can also help with symptoms of jetlag.


Is there a sleep aid that doesn't make you groggy the next day?

"Melatonin is generally thought to be safer to use than other sleep medications and less likely to cause side effects such as daytime grogginess the next day.

Why do I wake up in the middle of the night when I take melatonin?

Light defeats melatonin.

If you correctly take melatonin 2-3 hours before you want to fall asleep, but you continue to be exposed to bright light or “blue light” (such as every electronic screen you own, from your mobile phone to the TV), your body is getting mixed messages, and taking melatonin won't help.

What is the new sleeping pill?

The bottom line

In January 2022, the FDA approved Quviviq (daridorexant) to treat insomnia in adults. This medication can be helpful both for falling and staying asleep.


What is the over-the-counter equivalent to Ambien?

Over The Counter Alternatives

Diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl, Aleve PM, etc.): Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine. Side effects might include daytime drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and urinary retention. Doxylamine (e.g., Unisom SleepMelts): Doxylamine is also a sedating antihistamine.