Study of self-reported quality of sleep in healthy adult volunteers taking a dietary supplement containing valerian root, Passionflower extract and GABA.
Fourteen healthy adult volunteers [7 males and 7 females, 25 to 59 years old (average age 46.9)] successfully completed a series of online surveys related to the quality of sleep. The study was conducted in two phases.
During the first phase, the surveys were completed for five consecutive days without supplementation. In the second phase, the identical surveys were completed while taking Sleep, a dietary supplement from NOW® (Sleep #4768) containing 600 mg Valerian Root Extract (min. 0.8% Valerenic Acid), 300 mg Hops (4:1 concentrate, Strobiles), 200 mg Passionflower Extract (Aerial parts, standardized for flavonoids Vitexin and Isovitexin), 200 mg GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid), 8 mg Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Palmitate), in two capsules administered one hour prior to bedtime, for five consecutive nights. The surveys were completed on the days following supplementation.
The study was not blinded. Rather, the study was designed to collect self-reported data from the volunteers fully aware of the nature of the supplement they were taking. Upon completion, the results were collected and analyzed for the following:
- Time to fall asleep; in minutes (see Figure 1).
- Number of times the person remembered waking up during sleep (see Figure 2).
- Self-reported level of feeling rested upon waking up (see Figure 3).
- Self-reported level of energy during the day following the supplementation (see Figure 4).
- Duration of sleep (using self-reported sleeping and waking times, a decrease of sleep duration was observed (on average 12 minutes).
Results
The results of the study indicate that volunteers had a positive experience with the dietary supplement Sleep (#4768, two capsules) containing valerian root, hops, passionflower and GABA. Volunteers fell asleep faster and woke up less often during the night while taking two capsules of Sleep one hour before bedtime.*
The highlights of the study were a feeling of being better rested upon waking up and an increased energy level during the day following the supplementation with Sleep.* A majority of volunteers described an improved sleep quality (felt a difference while taking Sleep).* Finally, on average, volunteers slept a shorter period of time while feeling more rested when taking Sleep, which reinforces the notion of improved sleep quality.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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