The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Zinc
Posted by Flippside (Tampa, Fl) on 09/30/2015
★★★★★
I am a 52 year old post menopausal woman who has had a challenging time during the past couple of years during the transition due to adrenal fatigue. I have tried everything for insomnia due to cortisol fluctuations and recently tried zinc supplements (zinc glycinate chelate) after reading that zinc lowers cortisol. Results were immediate and I'm happy to report that I have been sleeping like a baby, 8-9 hours straight, for over two weeks now! I initially started with 30mg before bed, but I have cut back to 15mg with no noticeable affect. I also take magnesium glycinate before bed but it alone wasn't enough. Just wanted to share in hopes that supplementing with zinc might help others!
Iron
Posted by Gal (Gal) on 09/30/2015
★★★★★
I happened to be at the hospital and spoke to a sleep Dr.She said the first thing she has sleep patients do is start iron. Said that, often, this is enough to correct the sleep issue. I've never heard of this but I'm willing to try anything. What kind is most easily tolerated? I've tried the sloFE and it was awful on my tummy. Thanks.
Flax Seeds
Posted by Lily (Los Angeles) on 08/06/2015
★★★★★
Whenever I can't sleep, I take about 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds at night in rice or almond milk or cottage cheese and I instantly feel calm and can have the best night's sleep!
Chia Seeds
Posted by Wendy (New York, Ny) on 03/09/2015
★★★★★
I've been suffering from insomnia for years and I finally found something that really works & wanted to report it for people here! I've been taking 2 heaping tablespoons of Chia seeds in 8 ounces of almond milk, and within an hour after, I'm out like a light and super relaxed all day, I may even feel a bit too sleepy throughout the day, but it's a welcomed relief from the insomnia that has left me stressed out & debilitated for years. Chia has been a real miracle for me, definitely try it if your stressed out, have anxiety, and can't sleep!
Copper and Zinc
Posted by Gabass (Atlanta) on 02/24/2015
★★★★★
I read that hypnic jerks are caused by a copper deficiency. I am currently taking a combination capsule of copper and zinc twice a day. I must say by the third day they have stopped.
CoQ10
Posted by Raphael (Boston, Us) on 01/29/2015
★★★★★
I took care of anxiety, racing mind, depression and hot flush by taking Vitamin D3 with Omega3 4000IU - 8000IU, plus Vitamin E 1000IU... the only thing not yet fixed is insomnia, I sleep about 3 -4 hrs, always wake up 3-4 am in the morning and then cannot get back to asleep, I also need Melatonin to help me get to sleep when I get to sleeping time.
I found after I took CoQ10 100-200 mg my sleeplessness can be taken care of and now I wake up in the middle of night, go to bathroom, and then I can get asleep in about 5-10 mins. and I have a total of 7 hrs sleep average.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Lois (Victoria, Canada) on 04/02/2025
★★★★★
Yes! It is my go to remedy for insomnia. I actually do put it in my thyme tea at night and it helps me have a restful and uninterrupted sleep. It's by far the best remedy!
Electrical Devices
Posted by Ann (Brevard, N.c.) on 06/03/2014
Insomniacs need to try moving the head of their bed 1-2 ft. from the wall since electrical wiring in the walls emanate electrical fields that affect our brains/body. google: Electromagnetic Sensitivity for increasingly more info. The increase of cell phones, cell towers, computers, cordless phones, smart meters, etc. etc. is making our world population sick and sicker with time and most people aren't aware of the cause. a great site: ElectricSense (Lloyd Burrell in France) is loaded with knowledgeable blogs. This is nothing to ignore as I almost died from it 3 years ago before becoming aware. Let me know any questions out there. (Sweden so far is the only country that's determined ES (electric sensitivity) a disability , but all other countries are being controlled by the high tech and utility company big boys - it's all about money.)
Melatonin
Posted by Les (Atlanta, Ga) on 05/12/2014
★★★★★
This supplement combination has been helping me sleep better at night. The article I got it from stated it was as effective as taking Ambien (but without the side effects.)
5mg melatonin
11.25 mg zinc
225 mg magnesium
Take 1 hour before bedtime.
Lemon Water
Posted by Terry (Hemet, California U.S.) on 02/21/2014
★★★★★
I was having a heck of a time getting sleep! I would toss and turn most of the night and I was very tired by morning. I have heard so many people that are now senior citizens claim that they can't sleep? So I know that I am not alone with this frustrating problem.
I learned this from my husband as he loves to read about health issues.
He told me to try this for insomnia:
1. Fill a pitcher or container full of clean water.
2. Take a fresh lemon and slice it across in a few slices.
3. Place the slices of lemon in the water and allow this to sit for awhile.
4. Throughout the day drink a few glasses for this lemon/water. I try to drink at least 5 or 6 glasses of the lemon water.
This helps me sleep like a baby! Don't give up if it doesn't work for a few days. Keep drinking this solution.
What the lemons do is Alkaline the water! My husband read that our drinking water is too acidity. He read that this solution is similar to using baking soda. This has helped me so much in getting sleep.
I hope it works for those with insomnia. It works for my husband, my sister in law, and it works for me!
Once more thing if you use sugar in this water the sugar will only make the water acid again. Please do not use sugar in it.
Lemon Water
Posted by Brad (Ontario) on 11/04/2022
★★★★★
I know this is an old post, but a calcified pineal gland will contribute to sleep problems, and lemon water will help decalcify pineal gland.
Magnesium
Posted by Yc (Virginia) on 01/17/2017
I took 400 mg magnesium glycerinate an hour before bed for 2 nights and had severe insomnia both nights. Does that mean I am not MG deficient? Or should I take them during the day? I have been having menopause based insomnia, I think, for over 5 years, and so eager to find something that can help me sleep.
Magnesium
Posted by Jean H. (Us) on 04/15/2018
I don't doubt what you're saying, but magnesium has what's called 'bowel tolerance' where your body shunts any excess to the GI tract washing it out. When you've reached the amount your body needs, you develop loose stools and/or diarrhea that washes the excess out of your system. Look at the magnesium citrate given for bowel cleanses and colonoscopies that are at least 12,000 mg, and are considered to be safe.
Eliminate EMFs
Posted by Michele (Los Angeles, California) on 07/15/2013
★★★★★
I read recently about the dangers of WIFI and we put a timer to turn it off automatically at night. In one night, I went from extremely poor sleep to very good sleep.
Niacinamide
Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 05/13/2013
★★★★★
Niacinamide stops the chatter of the mind but take it with other B's they work together... It also helps sleep. First time I took it my mind went blank, freaked me out.
Theanine, Taurine
Posted by Steven (Jersey City, Nj, Usa) on 10/04/2012
UPDATE: I found the last ingredient that is allowing me to sleep solidly throught the night with no awakenings - L-glutamine (1/4 tsp[1 gm] in the morning)! It has been working for two weeks now. The only catch is I guess I'm sleeping so soundly I have no recall of dreams anymore. Taurine and Theanine seemed to increase dream recall for awhile. I reduced my dose of b-12 also which I believe was contributing to an increase of dream recall, so that is something to play around with, but for now I'm happy with solid sleep so I can live during the day instead of dreams.
Castor Oil
Posted by Jean H. (Us) on 04/14/2018
Be careful giving melatonin to children as my research indicates it can cause seizures in children. I researched it for an article for my blog which is how I came across this. Plus, taking it can cause your body to stop producing it.
Sea Salt
Posted by Sarah (Melbourne, Australia) on 03/18/2011
★★★★★
I had developed insomnia and always felt awake till late in the night. Ltely I came to know about sea salt water cure. I take pinch of sea salt in water and also mix Apple Cider Vinegar in the water to make it tasty and now my sleep pattern has changed. I sleep easily. Yesterday I tried pinch of salt on tongue and later flushed it inside with water and could sleep like a baby. This method has worked for me. All of you can also try.
Magnesium Citrate
Posted by Stephanie (Chicago, Il) on 07/14/2010
★★★★★
For two years now, I've been taking 400mg of Magnesium Citrate every night before bed and I sleep like a baby! My boyfriend takes it too, completely relaxes you and makes it easier to fall and stay asleep. I read somewhere it is the most 'relaxing mineral' and people need higher amounts of it as we age as it becomes depleted with stress. Major side benefit--it also just happens to eliminate PMS symptoms, fyi. Oh, and migraines! Also, make sure you are drinking at least 4-6 glasses of water per day if you suffer from any ailments whatsoever as most people are chronically dehydrated and have no idea why their body is deteriorating with age. Aging is a process of dehydration!
5 HTP
Posted by Tina (Houston, Usa) on 11/07/2012
Hello Judy from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - Please google Rutavala Essential Oil. Rub it liberally on your back neck, temples, wrists (and bottom of feet) about 1/2 hr before bedtime, and you will find that it miraculously lulls you into sleep.
I generally do a sea salt bath with lavender oil for about 20 mins. Then rinse off with soap/water, and do the rutavala oil routine before turning off the lights.
I also know folks who put 2-3 drops of rutavala oil in empty 00 size capsules and drink with water (however I have not needed to try this) since liberally applying oil takes care of my 20 yrs of insomnia.
Good luck, T
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cathy (Picayune, Ms) on 02/08/2010
I am confused about the properties of ACV. It states that for a boost of energy in the day to drink acv. Then you guys state that to sleep better, drink acv. It sounds like an oxy moron to me. I have been using acv for a long time and it does have great benefits. I take it for my stomach, great for gas pains. I just don't believe in the help you sleep and help you energize. It can only do one of the 2. It does not help me sleep nor does it energize me. I have noticed that if I take it to late before I go to bed that I don't sleep as well.
Borax
Posted by Leelannee (Sussex, Nj) on 09/02/2013
Timh--In my post yesterday, I mentioned diabetes only because that's how I came across some of this information, but I hope I didn't imply that this remedy could only be used by diabetics. Even non-diabetics can experience low blood sugar at some point during the sleep cycle, and may have nightmares as a result.
I have Type 2 diabetes, but I learned the "raw cornstarch trick" from people with Type 1.
Also, I double-checked my internet search suggestion and it doesn't bring up what I intended; "blood sugar nutrition crisps" works better!
Borax
Posted by Leelannee (Sussex, Nj) on 09/08/2009
★★★★★
I read about using 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of borax in water for various health issues, although not insomnia specifically. I decided to try it, and right away noticed that I was able to fall asleep easily and sleep through the night better. I've had insomnia & nightmares for years & have tried many natural supplements & remedies. I'm often tired but don't feel sleepy...after so many years of insomnia, I LOVE that delicious sleepy feeling! Magnesium has worked ok for me but gets expensive & sometimes I'd be awake for an hour or more after sleeping for just a few minutes. Perhaps the borax is detoxifying flouride or something from my body, or killing off a fungus that was affecting my health. However, I've skipped the borax twice in the last few weeks and had a horrible time that same night. I've read that boron helps you absorb calcium better, and calcium helps you relax and sleep, so maybe that's why it's helping me. In the morning I prepare a liter bottle with 1/4 teaspoon borax and sip it throughout the day. Even if I finish it in the early afternoon or drink the whole bottle an hour before bed, it seems to work
Magnesium
Posted by Anna (Dayton, OH) on 07/10/2009
★★★★★
I take two 200 or 250 mgs of magnesium every night to help me sleep. I have tried other products to help me sleep like phosphorus and melatonin. Phosporus is also very good but makes me too groggy when I wake up. Melatonin also makes me too groggy. I take Melatonin when I have had caffiene before bed and it knocks me out. I get the tablets and nibble the tiniest bit off of the edge and it works everytime but seems to be too strong for me and makes me tired during the day. For me magnesium is gentle and when I wake up I feel relaxed but not tired. We stayed overnight in New York City at my daughters boyfriends apt on a busy, noisy, avenue. I took my two magnesiums as usual but woke up in the middle of the night because of the terrible street noises. The next few nights I took 3 magnesiums (200 or 250mg's)and slept thru it all. At home I take two every night. Thank you so much for this website!! People helping People!! YaY people power!
