Given the stress and anxiety levels at its peak today, many of us have trouble getting proper sleep. It manifests into a variety of problems like insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless legs syndrome (RLS). Several unavoidable factors contribute to the disturbance of our circadian rhythm. It leaves us feeling groggy and continuous lack of sleep develops into critical problems like depression and bipolar disorder.
What to drink to sleep faster?
As sleep is an essential factor when it comes to the proper functioning of the body and the mind, experts have developed a drink that is said to have a remarkable effect on a person’s sleeping habits. Som Sleep drink is engineered to help you fall asleep faster while avoiding any kind of addiction. They are recommended by professional athletes, experts, and alike.
It has all the necessary ingredients that promote a healthy and regular sleep pattern. Som sleep contains melatonin, L-theanine, GABA, magnesium, and vitamin B6.
The website also claims that it is drug-free, gluten-free, has no genetically modified organisms (GMO), and has zero sugar. It not only promotes health but is also non-habit forming while enabling people to fall asleep within 30 minutes.
Som Sleep comes in two distinct flavors.
- An original and sweetened flavor
- A sugar-free flavor
The fine print on the website says that the claim statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. It also mentions that the product does not intend to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Where to buy SOM Sleep:
About the Manufacturer
Som Sleep is a privately held company in Santa Monica, California. The company size ranges to 1 to 10 employees and is considered to be a good competitor in the Health, Wellness, and Fitness industries. It was founded in 2017, and the company’s concerns include sleep support and nutritional support.
The significant employees in Som Sleep are:
- Abdul Khan: Co-founder and President
- Rob Bent: Co-founder and Chief Product Officer
- John Shegerian: Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer
- Brad Marks: Chief Marketing Officer
- Christine Khan: Head of E-Commerce
- Erica Huennekens: Marketing Manager
- Jerel Mascarinas: Head of Content
Is Som Sleep drink safe?
The safety of Som Sleep drink has been widely accepted. A can of Som sleep contains around eight-ounces of the drink. The ingredients include a rough estimate of 357 mg of melatonin and l-theanine and 40 mg of magnesium.
Dieticians confirm the effects of these ingredients when it comes to sleep-inducing action. However, they have vehemently requested to consult the primary healthcare physician before consuming Som Sleep.
Som Sleep Claims
Som Sleep Drinks are particularly designed as a form of remedy for people who have a hard time falling asleep and thus promote relaxation.
It claims to:
- act as a sleep aid
- be a drug-free and non-habit forming drink
- be useful to fall asleep if taken 30 minutes before bedtime
- contain around 40 calories in a single can
- helps in providing nutritional support
- aids in maintaining a proper sleep cycle
Som Ingredients Analysis
- Magnesium
- Vitamin B6
- GABA
- L-theanine
Other ingredients:
- Water
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride
- cane sugar
- Stevia leaf extract
- Erythritol
- Magnesium citrate
- natural flavors
- citric acid
Melatonin
Melatonin is a natural hormone in the body. It can also be synthesized in the laboratory for medical purposes. The most common form of melatonin used in terms of medical purposes is in the pill form. It is taken mostly by people suffering from insomnia and helps with deep sleep, as its primary use is to adjust the body’s sleep cycle.
- Side note: Melatonin is unsafe during pregnancy and also acts as a form of contraceptive.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a type of mineral, which plays a significant role in the formation of standard bone structure in the body. Lower levels of magnesium cause ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, clogged arteries, and osteoporosis.
Magnesium deficiency can result in a loss of sleep or insomnia. Magnesium is an important factor when it comes to the proper synthesis and maintenance of GABA, a neurotransmitter that aids in ensuring sleep. With the ability to increase GABA, magnesium promotes relaxation and sleep.
- Side note: Magnesium might be hazardous when taken in larger doses and also slows down blood clotting.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 can be found in cereals, liver, eggs, beans, meat, and vegetables. It can also be manufactured in the laboratory.
Various researches are out there to state that a lack of Vitamin B6 can result in insomnia and depression. This particular Vitamin, aids in the production and synthesis of the hormones – serotonin and melatonin. Both of these hormones are important for sound sleep.
- Side note: It is possibly unsafe when taken in high doses. The side effects include weight loss, diabetes, and angioplasty.
GABA
GABA is an acronym for Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid. It is a chemical ingredient that is produced in the brain. Foods containing GABA are whole grains, lentils, walnuts, almonds, fish, and cocoa.
GABA is a very important factor for sound and restful sleep. The availability of GABA helps the body to relax and ultimately, fall asleep at night. Lack of GABA activity can cause insomnia and interrupted sleep, which, in turn, can lead to high levels of depression and anxiety.
- Side note: GABA is safe when opted in small doses for a limited period of time (probably up to 12 weeks or so). Not much is known about its use during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
L-theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid that is not produced in the human body. Black tea, green tea, and certain types of mushrooms contain this particular amino acid. L-theanine can affect certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin. Thus, impacting the mood, emotions, sleep, and the cortisol level of the body. L-theanine is a functional component for dealing with stress.
A 2018 study showed that the consumption of l-theanine before bedtime could act as a relaxation factor for people when taken daily for eight weeks in a row.
L-theanine also promotes relaxation by reducing a person’s heart rate.
- Side note: Too much of L-theanine can result in a drastic fall of blood pressure, which can be very risky if left unadministered.
How Effective Is Som Sleep Drink?
Som Sleep contains melatonin as its principal and primary ingredient. Melatonin generally functions as a sleep-inducing component for the human body. According to many dieticians and physicians, the ingredients of Som, such as magnesium, Vitamin B6, l-theanine, along with melatonin are considered to be a form of sleeping aid, thus increasing the effectiveness of this som sleep drink.
According to a New York-based dietician Maya Feller, the ingredients in the Som Sleep drinks “can improve either the quality or duration of sleep.” However, for safety reasons, it is better to talk to a healthcare provider before starting it.
How much melatonin is in Som Sleep?
Melatonin is an important factor for sleep. The production and release of melatonin rise during the evenings and fall during the mornings.
The official Som Sleep website mentions that each can contain about 3 mg of melatonin.
How does it work?
Melatonin helps in the management of your body’s circadian rhythm. It rises when it is dark outside, thus, signaling your body to rest. Furthermore, it binds to the receptors in the body and helps you to relax by reducing nerve activity. Another function of melatonin is to reduce the dopamine levels in the body as dopamine helps your body to stay awake. As melatonin helps in the induction of sleep, people who do not make enough melatonin struggle to fall asleep. This is where Som Sleep becomes useful.
Do people need melatonin supplements to fall asleep?
Although melatonin supplements are a rage these days, at first, it is better to take a look into one’s sleep habits and hygiene. Supplements should only be taken when there are no other options to improve your sleep quality. In order to have a better sleep pattern, avoid watching TV or using your phone for an hour before bed.
Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and exercising too closely before bedtime can also disrupt your sleep cycle and thus, make it difficult for you to fall asleep faster. It is better to try and modify those habits before opting for a supplement.
Side effects of melatonin
Melatonin is very likely to be safe when taken from both the mouth and applied directly to the skin. There are no short-term as well as long-term effects for melatonin. The average validity of melatonin is about 2 years. However, it is shown to have some side effects when it comes to these ingredients – headaches, stomach cramps, daytime sleepiness, irritability, depression, and dizziness.
It can be a bit unsafe for pregnant women as melatonin is similar to birth control and thus, it can be inadvisable to not use it while trying to become pregnant. However, the argument is sparsely researched and thus it is best to not use it if either of the 2 persists.
Customer Reviews
“One of the biggest daily psychological challenges athletes deal with is insomnia. Som helps to resolve this. With a better night’s sleep, they can have a clearer mind and better performance.” – Dr. Jarrod Spencer, Sports Psychologist
“Sleep is critical to a patient’s rehabilitation and recovery, and Som helps my patients and myself get the rest we need to rebuild.” – Dr. Jane Danford, Physical Therapist
Conclusion
The Co-founder and CEO of Som Sleep describe it as a “sleep supplement […] to fit better sleep seamlessly into everyone’s lifestyle.”
As an NSF-certified item, Som Sleep is essentially a medium to help you with your sleep pattern. It has all the ingredients to provide you a good night’s sleep. However, the official website advises against the use of Som if pregnant or nursing. It is better to consult your doctor before opting for it.
