If you can’t fall asleep – and you don’t enjoy counting sheep or getting fleeced by drug companies – lots of folks are finding success by increasing their magnesium intake, according to: “What Magnesium is Best for Sleep?” Magnesium is important for natural melatonin production, and it can even help calm our nervous systems. As a result, some studies found magnesium supplementation can reduce the time to fall asleep by about 20 minutes. Where can you get extra magnesium? Well, this week on the SMM Podcast, we spoke to Lagoon founder Ryan Hurley, and he explained that they incorporate magnesium along with L-theanine into their “Night Bites.” They’re chocolates which use carob powder instead of traditional cocoa for a caffeine-free midnight snack. What exactly is L-theanine? Cleveland Clinic’s article “L-Theanine: What It Is and 3 Benefits” explains it’s an amino acid that may help relieve anxiety and increase sleep duration. Interestingly, Ryan mentioned Lagoon intentionally omits melatonin from their formula. While melatonin is a popular sleep aid, it has drawbacks like possible daytime grogginess or inconsistent supplement quality, according to this Healthline story: “Melatonin: Benefits, Uses, Side Effects and Dosage.” If you are considering melatonin, finding what works can involve some personal experimentation. A study published in the Journal of Pineal Research suggests that for some, taking 4mg about 3 hours before the intended bedtime could be an effective approach, but individual results will likely vary.

#GoodNightBites