Supplements for Sleep

How can you sleep better without supplements?

Start with your routine. The NHS advises only going to bed when you're sleepy, keeping your bedroom dark and quiet, and relaxing at least 1 hour before bed, along with no alcohol, tea or coffee for at least 6 hours before bed, no screens right before bed and no daytime naps.

See a GP if changing your sleeping habits hasn't helped, or if you've had trouble sleeping for months.

Do sleep supplements work?

None of the products in this collection has an authorised sleep claim, so we don't claim they help you sleep. The NHS says sleep aids sold in pharmacies, some with natural ingredients such as valerian or lavender, are not a long-term answer to insomnia and should not be taken for longer than 1 to 2 weeks, and advises checking with your doctor before taking anything for sleep problems.

Magnesium has the authorised claim "Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function", where a product is at least a source of magnesium (GB register of authorised health claims), but that isn't a sleep claim. Browse sleep and relaxation.

Are sleep supplements safe?

Check with a GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition. For magnesium, the NHS says taking high doses (more than 400mg) for a short time can cause diarrhoea.

This collection includes a magnesium drink for children: supplements for under-18s should be discussed with a GP or pharmacist first.

We sell the products on this page. That's our commercial interest, and it's why we show the evidence alongside them. This page is general information for adults, not personalised medical advice. Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet.

Written by Andy Arshad, SupplementHQ. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.