Buyer's Guide To
Sleep Supplements
What Everyone Needs to Know About Sleep Health

Power to Sleep PM

Rating: B
Company: Irwin Naturals

Specs: Lab Report
Site: www.irwinnaturals.com

What is it?

Power to Sleep PM is a natural dietary supplement that claims to promote relaxation and restore the body's natural sleep cycle, fighting the symptoms of insomnia, a sleep disorder. It also reportedly prevents the stress and anxiety that can arise before bedtime, making it more difficult to fall asleep--and in some cases, difficult to fall asleep at all. Its main ingredients include valerian root and melatonin, which reportedly help calm the body and restore the body's natural sleep rhythm. Two capsules before bedtime are recommended, though it does not say how quickly its effects kick in.

What ingredients does Power to Sleep PM contain?

Power to Sleep PM contains calcium, magnesium, valerian extract, ashwagandha extract, hops extract, passionflower extract, lemon balm extract, GABA, L-theanine, melatonnin and Bioperine, a patented black pepper extract.

Do the ingredients in Power to Sleep PM help promote sleep?

Over the long term, it may be very effective. According to a 2003 study published in the Journal of Complementary Therapies in Medicine, valerian helped improved their overall energy levels after sleep--over 96 percent of the group reported significant changes--with few side effects reported. A following study also showed it helped reduce other symptoms of insomnia--poor sleep onset, trouble staying sleep--significantly in patients who took it for more than 28 days at a time. There were lesser effects seen in participants who used it sporadically, or did not use it for up to 28 days at a time.

According to a report by WebMD.com, hops extract may also play a significant role in sleep. Taken regularly, hops may cause drowsiness, helping people fall asleep faster, though it did not have a significant impact on their sleep quality or duration. Melatonin, another key ingredient, has been reported to cause the same effects, especially in the elderly.

Is Power to Sleep PM safe?

Yes--but hops extract may cause some drowsiness. These effects are described as temporary and mild to moderate.

Verdict:

As a sleep aid, Power to Sleep PM is far superior compared to other natural supplements, with few side effects reported.