Magnesium, melatonin, glycine and a handful of herbal extracts show up in almost every "natural sleep aid" list. Some have reasonable supporting evidence for specific situations; others are mostly marketing. This section separates the two.

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Natural Sleep Aids: Magnesium, Melatonin and What They Actually Do

Natural Sleep Aids: Magnesium, Melatonin and What They Actually Do

Magnesium and melatonin are the two most recommended natural sleep aids — but they work through completely different mechanisms, and neither is a sedative.