Main image courtesy of Medical News Today.
Getting enough sleep is more difficult than ever in our constantly plugged in world. When we’re not working, we’re oftentimes staring at our phones or tablets, trying to get caught up on social media or the news of the day. Sometimes our schedules are so packed, we simply don’t have time for ourselves to catch up on hobbies or chores, and need to cut into our sleep time. This means that a lot of us are working right up until bed, which can make it hard to let our brains and bodies know it’s time to wind down.
1 in 3 adults do not get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night, resulting in more tossing and turning and feeling fatigued and tired the next day. There are a lot of ways you can try and mitigate sleep issues, including creating a good wind down routine and improving your sleep hygiene. Another is to enlist the help of supplements or medication prescribed by a doctor. But which one is right for you?
In this article we’ll be covering:
- The differences between valium and valerian root
- Whether or not valium is made from valerian root
- Sleep supplements you can pick up right now for help falling asleep
What is valium?
What is this medication and what is it commonly prescribed for?
If you’ve ever dealt with anxiety before, whether that’s related to sleep or not, chances are you’ve heard of the medication valium. This is the brand name for the drug diazepam that is often prescribed by healthcare practitioners for anxiety disorders or alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It is used to treat anxiety that can be the result of an overactive nervous system that has a hard time calming down. Someone with anxiety might talk to their doctor about this medication, as it is only available with a prescription.
Valium helps by enhancing a neurotransmitter known as GABA (gamma amniobutyric acid) at the GABA A receptor. This drug reduces the excitability of neurons, resulting in effects that are sedative, sleep-inducing, and muscle-relaxing. Valium is typically prescribed for those individuals who are experiencing anxiety, especially before bedtime. Thanks to the sedative-like properties of this medication, users find that they’re able to fall asleep faster and stay asleep.
This medication is not meant to be taken for the long term, in fact most healthcare professionals prescribe it for only a few months at a time and there are frequent check-ins with their patients to ensure the drug is affecting them the way that it was intended. Valium is not intended as a long-term solution to sleep anxiety, or any type of anxiety that occurs before bed. You will need to discuss those types of measures with your doctor.
There is a high risk of addiction associated with valium, which is why its use is heavily restricted.
Side effects of valium include:
- Drowsiness
- Being tired
- Muscle weakness
And you should never just stop taking this medication. Instead doctors will gradually decrease the amount you’re taking slowly.
What is valerian root?
Get to know more about this helpful plant and what it’s used for
Valerian root is a flowering plant that is native to both Asia and Europe, and has been used for centuries to treat problems with sleep. Often referred to as “nature’s valium,” this plant’s roots and rhizomes are commonly turned into tinctures, capsules, and tablets and used to help people have a more restful sleep. Valerian root interacts with the same receptor, GABA, that valium does thanks to its natural compounds, valerenic acid and valerenol. GABA is one of the main neurotransmitters that’s responsible for telling our body it’s time for sleep, and taking valerian root can increase the amount of GABA available in the body, which has calming and sedative effects. Valerian may also interact with serotonin and adenosine, which can help better regulate your mood and reduce the amount of anxiety you feel before bed.
A lot of folks have anxiety that they can’t seem to get rid of when the time comes to wind down for sleep, or alternatively they have anxiety regarding their inability to fall asleep. This can lead to many sleepless nights, having a detrimental effect on their health. Getting a prescription sleep aid like valium isn’t the first choice for a lot of people, which is why valerian root has been gaining in popularity thanks to its ability to assist with better sleep quality.
Taking valerian root before bed may help you fall asleep faster, as it works to calm the nervous system, allowing your mind to relax so you can drift off to sleep. Additionally, it may also help those users who have trouble staying asleep, and deal with multiple wakings each night. You’ll need to consistently take valerian root in order to see results, as herbal supplements aren’t as fast-acting as a prescription sleep aid. And while there are no serious side effects to taking valerian root, you may experience:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Vivid dreams
- Fatigue
Although valerian root is safe for use over the course of a few weeks, you may still want to consult your healthcare practitioner regarding your sleep concerns. This is especially important if you are taking other medications or herbal supplements.
Is valium made from valerian root?
Deconstructing the composition of valium and valerian root
The short answer to is valium made from valerian root is no, they are two separate substances. Valium is a synthetic chemical compound whose main ingredient is diazepam, while valerian root comes from a plant (valerian). The two are entirely separate with distinct chemical compositions. The reason people may think that valium comes from valerian root is they have purportedly the same effect on the GABA neurotransmitter, resulting in a decrease in anxiety and an increased sense of calmness. It also doesn’t help the confusion about how valium is derived when valerian root is consistently referred to as “nature’s valium.”
Although both valium and valerian root target the nervous system, you would use them in different circumstances. Valium is only prescribed by a physician for difficult cases of anxiety and any sleep disorders that are the result of that. It is a highly addictive substance, which is why you’ll need to speak with your medical doctor if you are interested in using it. Valerian root on the other hand can be taken by anyone who is seeking help reducing their anxiety and increasing their chances of a good night’s sleep. Valerian root is an herbal remedy that you can find in a variety of online stores, but it’s always a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider before beginning any herbal supplement.
Supplements to help you fall asleep fast
Looking for sleep supplements that include valerian root? Dr. Emil Nutrition has you covered!
Starting with a supplement is a great way to determine whether or not a certain substance will help with anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Supplements typically are consumed in smaller doses, so you don’t have to worry about taking too much. After you speak to your provider, we recommend starting with a small dose to see how it affects you. If you’re not getting the results you want, you may want to increase the dose up until the recommended amount.
Sleep can be hard to come by for a lot of different reasons, which is why Dr. Emil Nutrition has a few supplements that include valerian root and are designed to help you wind down, experience more calm, and get better sleep!
Bedtime Burn
What if we told you that burning fat in your sleep wasn’t a myth? It certainly isn’t if you’re using Dr. Emil’s Bedtime Burn! This supplement is designed to help you burn fat as you sleep, while also calming your mind and boosting your metabolism. The ingredients in this sleep supplement are chosen for their efficacy for fat burning and include white kidney beans and green tea extract—both of which boost your metabolism and reduce late night cravings. What you won’t get are nausea or the jitters that typically accompany the stimulants used in traditional fat burners.
This two for one supplement also includes valerian root, l-theanine, tryptophan, passion flower extract, and melatonin to help you relax before bed so you can fall asleep fast and stay asleep. Taken consistently, you’ll wake up feeling more refreshed thanks to deeper sleep, and you’ll start noticing less cravings and a faster metabolism ready to burn fat!
Bedtime Burn is perfect for both men and women, and all the ingredients are made in the USA and 3rd party tested.
EZ Doze
If you want to fall into a restful sleep fast, and not worry about waking up groggy the next day, you’ll want to pick up Dr. Emil’s EZ Doze. Image courtesy of Dr. Emil.
Another fantastic sleep supplement option from Dr. Emil is the EZ Doze (or EZ Doze Plus!). The ingredients in this supplement are designed to help you fall asleep fast, while avoiding a groggy morning as well as a dependency on them. With a full 2mg of melatonin, you’ll also find herbal and plant ingredients like:
- Valerian root
- L-theanine
- GABA
- St. John’s Wort
- Lemon balm
- And more!
All of these ingredients combined will ensure that not only will you relax easier and fall asleep fast, but you’re more likely to stay in a deep sleep throughout the night. What sets Dr. Emil’s supplement apart from the rest of over the counter sleep options out there are that in addition to being made in the USA with quality ingredients, this supplement also contains B12, which is time-released to help you wake up feeling great without drowsiness or grogginess.
The blend of ingredients in EZ Doze will help calm the body and quiet the mind as you prepare for sleep. It’s non-habit forming, and based on doctor-driven science to help you get a more restful slumber.
Bonus supplement!
And if you’re looking for a way to combine better skin, joints, and nails with a fantastic night’s sleep, then consider picking up Dr. Emil’s Multi Collagen Plus Sleep Support! This easy to use powder contains 9g of collagen, which can help with skin elasticity, better joint health, and improve the overall health of your hair and nails. Additionally, it contains hyaluronic acid to help plup the skin and give it a youthful appearance, as well as biotin to aid in cell growth and keratin production.
Take this in the evening and you’ll also get the benefit of having better sleep. This supplement contains 5HTP to improve sleep quality and mood, l-theanine to promote relaxation and better sleep quality, as well as melatonin to help you fall asleep fast.
Valium vs. valerian root, which is right for you?
If you’re looking for a way to safely lower your anxiety and promote a healthy sleep routine, you may want to first look into valerian root and other herbal supplements. Options like Dr. Emil’s Bedtime Burn and EZ Doze both contain valerian root, which can help calm your nervous system down so you can prepare for a good night’s sleep. If you’re still having trouble with your anxiety symptoms before bed, consider speaking with your medical provider about whether or not valium would be the right choice for you.
