Getting quality sleep on a regular basis is vital to good health. When you are well rested, you’re better able to meet daily challenges. You’re alert, filled with energy and feel optimistic about what the day holds. That all changes when you start experiencing difficulty sleeping.
When you’re feeling groggy, even simple tasks seem insurmountable. You feel irritable, and desperation begins to take hold. What if you don’t get a good night’s sleep again? How will you cope tomorrow?
For many people, the answer is to try over the counter sleeping pills. Perhaps the most popular over-the-counter sleep aid is produced by Kirkland signature. You can purchase it at a great price here.
OTC sleep aids can help people fall asleep and stay asleep with a minimum of side effects. Active ingredients in these sleep remedies are gentler than those found in prescription strength pills. Accordingly, many people feel safer choosing over the counter sleeping pills instead of going to their physician for medication.
While the best sleeping pills promise a restful night, it’s still important to take them in accordance with instructions. Most of these remedies aren’t meant to be taken over long periods of time. Doing so typically lessens their effectiveness.
Most products are designed to be used for a few nights, perhaps as long as two weeks. In other words, OTC sleep aids are not a permanent solution. Once you’ve achieved a few good nights of sleep, it’s best to go back to falling asleep naturally.
This list of the best over the counter sleep aid products can be used as a guide the next time you’re suffering from insomnia. These have all undergone extensive testing and are considered safe for the average user.
Nevertheless, it’s wise to proceed with caution before using any of these if you have any major medical conditions. Some people may want to consult their doctor before using any of these remedies to ensure that the sleeping pills won’t negatively interact with medications they are already taking.
1. Kirkland Sleep Aid16
This product, which can be found here, is perhaps the strongest OTC sleep aid available. It is an anti-histamine sleep aid, which is a common category of sleep aid. It works against the histamine produced by the body’s central nervous system, making it possible for the user to feel drowsy.
Many people who have used this product report feeling both physically and mentally drowsy shortly after ingestion. The active ingredient is Doxylamine. Most people don’t build up a tolerance to it as quickly as other common sleep aid ingredients.
If you’re going to try Kirkland Sleep Aid, it’s best to do so when you’re anticipating a long night’s sleep and not having to get up super early in the morning. This drug can affect your system for many hours, so you’ll want to allow plenty of time before you have to be active and certainly before you have to drive. This may be the best over the counter sleep aid if you’re got several hours to sleep and can anticipate a lazy morning.
2. Unisom Sleep Gels
Unisom OTC sleep aids are some of the best known products on the market. Like the Kirkland sleep aid, they are an anti-histamine sleeping pill, but the active ingredient is different. Unisom, which is found here, relies on Diphenhydramine hydrochloride. This product is available in either 25 mg or 50 mg doses.
Regardless, its effect on the body’s systems is gentler than the effect of the Kirkland product. In other words, if you’re new to sleeping pills, this might be the best OTC sleep aid to try. You’re less likely to experience day after grogginess with it, and it may be advisable to start here if you are unsure how sensitive you are to sleep aids.
It’s important to be aware that many people develop a tolerance to Diphenhydramine hydrochloride fairly quickly, so prolonged use is unlikely to be effective. Nonetheless, many users report excellent results when Unisom is used appropriately.
3. Natrol Melatonin
For some people, the best sleeping pills are more natural. This selection, which can be ordered here, is not an anti-histamine product like the first two. Instead, it relies on melatonin to help induce sleep. Melatonin is a hormone that naturally occurs in the human body. Normally, it’s a product of the pineal gland, and it helps to regulate sleep and wake cycles.
Levels of melatonin tend to build throughout the evening, reaching a peak through the nighttime hours when most people are sleeping. However, production of melatonin tends to drop off as we age, and some people experience irregularities in production based on the season. That’s why some people utilize a melatonin supplement like Natrol. It’s drug free, inexpensive and, although it is not the strongest OTC sleep aid, it is very effective for some people.
Most people experience few, if any, side effects and are able to go about their regular schedules the day after taking melatonin. It’s a natural supplement that may help regulate your body’s clock without interfering with your ability to function the next day.
4. Luna Natural Sleep Aid5
While searching for the best OTC sleep aid, it’s impossible to leave out at least one product that is essentially an herbal supplement. Few scientific studies back up the effectiveness of this herbal product and others like it. Still, many people have relied on such supplements for years and swear by their potency. They are certainly not harmful, and some ingredients, like valerian, have been known to produce a drowsy effect for centuries.
Luna can be ordered here. It is appropriate for vegetarians, does not cause side effects and is completely natural. Many people who are concerned with putting chemicals in their bodies have enjoyed great results with products like Luna. In fact, some people report that taking melatonin alone was not effective for them.
However, when combined with the other ingredients in Luna, they were able to enjoy restful sleep. Moreover, the effects are fairly gentle, so most people can take Luna without fear of negative consequences.
Over the counter sleep aids can be a successful solution to a troubling problem. However, it’s vital to always use them in accordance with instructions. It may also make sense to consult a doctor before beginning use.
Also, keep in mind that most of these sleep remedies aren’t meant to be taken over long periods of time. Doing so can prove detrimental, and will certainly lessen their effectiveness. If you’re tried the best OTC sleep aids and are still experiencing difficulty, it may be time to explore lifestyle changes that can help better ensure a restful night.
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