ZZZ

Mineral blend (Vitamin B-6 (as Pyridoxine HCL), Magnesium (as Magnesium aspartate), and Zinc (as Zinc monomethionine)):

Sleep is important, but sleep is not important for its own sake. Rather, we sleep because of the collection of physiological processes that it enables: the repair of tissue, the biosynthesis and release of hormones, and so on. While each of the individual ingredients in our mineral blend is important in this regard, the formulation as a whole has previously been demonstrated to have tangible physiological effects.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA):

GABA, known technically as, γ-Aminobutyric acid, is a potent depressive and the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human brain. As GABA plays a critical role in the sedative and depressive functions of the brain, GABA receptor subtypes – principally GABAA – have been positively associated with the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle.

In addition to GABA’s potential role in the regulation of sleep itself, additional research has uncovered that GABA may potentiate certain benefits of deep sleep – namely, the increase in plasma growth hormone. 

L-Glycine:

L-Glycine is a non-essential amino acid, so-called because the human body is capable of synthesizing glycine from sources internal to the body (serine). Like many other amino acids, glycine possesses physiological effects independent of its function as a ‘building block’ to protein. In glycine’s case, its physiological effects stem from its role as a neurotransmitter in the human brain.

Three methodologically-sound studies have investigated glycine’s effect on sleep and sleep quality in humans – and each used the same serving size as that found in Core ZZZ, 3 grams.

L-Tryptophan

L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, and one of the most critical in the human body. Tryptophan is critical because it is the biological precursor to both serotonin (one of the body’s principal neurotransmitters regulating mood, appetite, and sleep) and niacin (a vitamin and a crucial biological intermediate).

Among dietary supplements or ingredients purported to regulate the sleep-wake cycle, tryptophan is perhaps the most well-studied. The body of literature pertaining to tryptophan’s sedative effects is vast and varied, reaching back at least 40 years and featuring hundreds of articles.

L-Ornithine HCL:

L-Ornithine is a non-protein amino acid, meaning that, unlike most other amino acids, it is not involved in the production of proteins and is not encoded by DNA. In humans, ornithine is most commonly associated with the urea cycle, though recent research has revealed a potential role for ornithine in the regulation of sleep and arousal.

Mucuna pruriens Extract (seed) (50% L-dopa):

Mucuna pruriens is a hanging or climbing plant endemic to India and sub-Saharan Africa. The plant has been used extensively in the Indian traditional medicinal system known as Ayurveda for a number of purposes, including virility and gastrointestinal disorders.

Velvet Bean has been demonstrated to improve GH release during sleep in other independent trials.

L-Theanine:

L-Theanine is a non-protein amino acid found mostly in green tea. The structure of L-Theanine closely resembles L-glutamic acid and has a mechanism of action they may be mediated through glutamate receptors, a possibility supported by its partial co-agonistic effect on the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.

Due to L-Theanine being a widely ingested phytochemical during normal everyday life, it has the potential to be an ingredient in many nutraceutical applications due to its proposed benefits on cognitive function and neuroprotective properties.

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan):

Serotonin has often been at the center of the discussion in the regulation of sleep. This “feel good” hormone has been shown to be essential in many physiological functions including circadian rhythm, thermoregulation, cognition, and nociception.

When serotonin levels are low, it is critical to find ways to restore balance. Supplementation, to help with recovery and sleep, can be beneficial in reducing stress and restoring this balance.

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a natural chemical compound that has been shown to benefit certain aspects of health, including mental function and sleep quality as it is a natural precursor to serotonin in the brain. 5-HTP passes the blood brain barrier easily, making it very efficient in its action. 5-HTP, when combined with other nutrients such as GABA, may be effective at decreasing time required to fall asleep and improving sleep quality and duration.

Melatonin:

Irregular sleep is a problem that is common amongst the population and most are often searching for remedies to improve sleep quality and circadian rhythms. Melatonin is a neurohormone that is secreted by the pineal gland known for its sleep regulation properties. Its secretion is often suppressed by light, which when this occurs can often disrupt normal sleep patterns. When sleep patterns are disrupted and irregular, it has the ability to increase risks of certain health issues and premature aging. Supplementation exerts most of it benefits through decreased sleep latency and increased onset of sleep.

This can also be related to its ability to work with the biochemistry and decrease body temperature in users. Supplementation with melatonin is the most efficient way to increase melatonin levels prior to sleeping. However, diet and improvements in quality of life are also ways to improve normal melatonin secretion as well as normal circadian rhythm for better quality sleep.