AUSTIN — There are supplements available that claim to help you get a good night's sleep, but do sleep aids like melatonin, glycine and magnesium actually work?
Dr. Edward Ortiz, who works at Sleep Center Austin, said some of his patients swear by them, primarily those with mild insomnia. Melatonin is one of the more popular natural sleep aids.
"Melatonin is a hormone produced in our brain to help regulate our sleep wake cycle our natural sleep cycle runs on a 25-hour clock, so patients who are blind they can have a free roaming sleep cycle that kind of drifts by one hour every day," said Ortiz.
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Depending on the individual, there may be side effects with melatonin supplements.
"Sensitive patients, such as seniors taking other medications, you know there can be hangover, stomach upset, headache, mood disturbances, depression, so they have to be careful with what they're taking and what dose they're taking," Ortiz said.
As with most supplements, it's always a good idea to speak with your doctor before taking them. While many people use sleep aids, there is not currently enough research to indicate they are an effective way for everyone to get a good night's sleep.