If you’re having trouble getting a good night’s sleep and want to avoid relying on sleep-aid drugs, a new study suggests that you may be able to stave off insomnia with a natural supplement, in the form of saffron extract.
Coming from researchers in Australia, the new research involved giving 63 participants either two 14-mg doses of the extract or a placebo daily over the course of 28 days. Neither the test subjects nor the people administering the substances knew who was getting what.
When 55 of the test subjects subsequently rated their sleep according to a standardized survey, it was found that those who had been taking the extract experienced improvements in sleep quality compared to those who had been given the placebo. In fact, most of the first group noticed those improvements within seven days of beginning the treatment, with no adverse side effects recorded.
While it still isn’t entirely clear how saffron may help fight insomnia, a planned larger study may provide some answers, and could unlock the potential of keeping those sleeping pills away from your nightstand.
