Learn why you shouldn’t use valerian root for insomnia and discover other natural ways to reduce your anxiety, improve your sleep, and lift your mood.
0:00 Introduction: What is valerian root?
0:43 How GABA affects anxiety
2:15 Why you shouldn’t take GABA for insomnia
2:50 Getting to the root of your symptoms
3:48 Why you shouldn’t take melatonin
4:35 How to increase your melatonin naturally
6:42 The best ways to support sleep, calmness, and wellbeing
8:38 Thanks for watching
In this video, we’re going to talk about valerian root.
Valerian root is an herb that can help with anxiety. However, it's not a good solution to insomnia.
Valerian root provides benefits similar to valium for symptoms of anxiety but without many of the side effects.
Both valerian root and valium help increase the effects of GABA by blocking GABA receptors. When receptors can’t take in GABA, more of it stays in your nervous system for longer.
Why is this important? GABA is a crucial neurotransmitter that helps reduce stress and support calmness. Those who are deficient in this neurotransmitter tend to experience anxiety and insomnia.
Kimchi helps boost GABA by supporting gut microbes that create neurotransmitters.
Valerian is a sedative—so taking it before bed can produce some unwanted effects, including:
• Drowsiness
• Sluggishness
• Slow heart rate
• Insomnia
• Daytime sleepiness
It’s better to get to the root of the problem. Why are you experiencing anxiety, sleeplessness, or a low mood?
These can be symptoms of hormone and neurotransmitter imbalances. High cortisol is the primary hormone behind anxiety and sleeping problems. Additionally, poor sleep is associated with low melatonin—and low melatonin related to low serotonin. Those with a serotonin deficiency often experience depression.
It’s important to increase your melatonin, but without taking melatonin supplements. Supplementing any hormone can reduce your body’s natural output that hormone over time.
These are the best ways to support sleep, calmness, and wellbeing naturally:
1. Increase exercise and physical work
2.. Increase infrared light exposure
3. Take vitamin B1 (naturally found in nutritional yeast and sunflower seeds)