Waking up in the morning still feeling very tired and not well rested due to not being able to get a good night's sleep can lead to serious medical conditions. Being able to get a good night's sleep is greatly associated with how a person can function in school, in work, or in doing activities of daily living. However, there are many different kinds of sleep disorders that can affect almost anyone from different age groups. One very common sleep disorder that can affect anyone is insomnia. There are several natural ways that can help in relieving insomnia, such as consuming products rich in L-tryptophan.
L-tryptophan is one of the 8 essential amino acids that is a precursor for serotonin (brain chemical that elevates mood) and melatonin (responsible for the regulation of a regular sleep-wake cycle). This type of amino acid is not produced naturally in the body, so L-tryptophan must be provided by a person's diet or through daily supplements.
Insomnia is a type of sleeping disorder that is characterized by difficulty in falling asleep and difficulty is staying asleep. Insomnia can be caused by several factors; it may be stress-related, anxiety, extreme temperature fluctuations, uncomfortable or new sleeping environment, medication intake, caffeine, alcoholic beverage consumption, smoking, jetlag, and/or disturbed sleeping pattern.
As L-tryptophan increases levels of serotonin, which can improve and elevate mood, and melatonin, which can help in inducing sleep, it can be an effective natural sleeping aid for insomniacs. The amino acid does not only work by inducing sleep, it also works by delaying wake times, allowing a person to achieve a longer and a good night's sleep.
People who are taking certain antidepressants, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs, and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors or MAOIs, should take products high in L-tryptophan with utmost caution. It can possibly produce adverse reactions with antidepressants, which can result in life-threatening conditions.