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Gaia Herbs Sound Sleep Review – Is it Effective?

By Michelle Giordano

Reviewed by Rebecca Williams, MD, MA, MB, BChir

Last Updated:

Evidence Based | Synopsis | Ingredients | Health Benefits | Precautions | Cost | How To Use | Final Thoughts

In today’s society, the demand for increased productivity at work, responsibility to family and friends, and a variety of everyday stressors is progressively rising.

These pressures can affect sleep quality. In fact, the CDC reports that over one-third of adults do not get enough sleep on a regular basis. Sleep is critical to our overall health and well-being. Fortunately, there are products available that can assist you if you are having trouble with getting a good night’s sleep.

Sound Sleep is an herbal formulation designed to help someone fall asleep. This formula, manufactured by Gaia Herbs, advertises that it makes the transition from wakefulness to sleep easy and quick, while promoting calmness and relaxation throughout the body.

If you are one of the millions of Americans who need help with sleep, Sound Sleep may be a good choice for you.

Synopsis

1) Sound Sleep at a Glance

Gaia Herbs offers a wide range of herbal supplements and claims to exclusively use organically grown herbs. The company has a 20-year market experience, and during this time they have cultivated their private farm to grow plants that heal.

The supplement Sound Sleep is a blend of natural herbs that help to reduce anxiety, ease muscle tension, and promote sleep. Some ingredients in this product facilitate relaxation so that the body is primed to rest, while others directly help to induce sleep.

Ingredients

2) Sound Sleep Ingredients

Sound Sleep includes the following active ingredients:

  • Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis)
  • Proprietary Synergistic Extract Blend: Passionflower flowering vine (Passiflora incarnata)
  • Kava Kava root (Piper methysticum)
  • American Skullcap fresh herb (Scutellaria Lateriflora)
  • California Poppy herb and root (Eschscholzia californica)
  • Blue Vervain herb (Verbena Hastata)
  • Hops strobile (Humulus lupulus)
  • Gotu Kola leaf (Centella Asiatica)

Valerian root extract is commonly used in alternative medicine to bring relief from sleep disorder symptoms and to treat anxiety and stress. It is the most commonly used herbal supplement in the U.S. and Europe for sleep. Kava kava and passionflower are indicated to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, including panic attacks and social phobia. They both cause drowsiness and promote sleep.

The herbs skullcap and California poppy have been shown to reduce pain and relax nerves to support a restful state.

Blue vervain is another plant that helps reduce anxiety, and it also relaxes the muscles, making it particularly effective for premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Hops strobile has historically been used to treat symptoms of insomnia.

3) Does Sound Sleep Work?

The ingredients found in Sound Sleep have demonstrated sleep-inducing properties. Valerian has been researched in relation to conditions including insomnia and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The data demonstrating the effectiveness of valerian root is good, however, larger-scale human studies are needed.

Kava kava has also been shown in studies to not only reduce anxiety symptoms that can prevent falling asleep but also increase the overall quality of sleep a person receives.

Human clinical trials and scientific research for passionflower are scarce, however, it remains a popular choice of traditional herbalists. The plant is safe if used for a short period of time, usually less than one month.

Blue vervain has been used for centuries to promote a general sense of well-being and relaxation. Although there is not a significant amount of clinical research available on this herb compared with others, it is credited for its restorative properties and is widely used around the world today.

Gotu kola has been shown to have a short-term anti-anxiety effect, but more studies need to be conducted to confirm this.

There are testimonials posted online about Sound Sleep. Comments include:

  • These make me a bit drowsy
  • Did nothing for me
  • Cheap and helpful
  • Non-addicting, I could reduce my dose with no withdrawal side effects

More than sleep, some herbal formulas also use them for their herbal brain health benefits.

Health Benefits

4) Sound Sleep Health Benefits

Proper sleep is essential to living a healthy and productive life. Many people have tried non-medicinal methods to help with sleep issues, like listening to soothing music or breathing exercises before bed, but they may not work. Others turn to prescription medications that have a high potential for abuse and addiction.

There are alternatives, like Sound Sleep, that are natural and non-habit forming. Sound Sleep is a combination of organically grown herbal products, meaning the formula is free of pesticides and contaminants. This product includes herbs that have been shown in studies to produce sedative effects. It is also a great option for vegetarians and vegans as this product is 100% plant-based.

Precautions

5) Precautions of Sound Sleep Use

Sound Sleep is generally considered safe, but there are precautions associated with some of the ingredients found in this product. The FDA warns that Kava kava can cause liver damage. The effect is rare, but it should be avoided in people with liver disease or who use alcohol. Kava also has many interactions with drugs that are metabolized by the liver including, Benadryl, Prozac, Vicodin and Lithium. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised not to take kava kava.

Passionflower is a potent herb with strong sedative effects, but it has also been shown to alter an individual’s state of consciousness, which can cause disorientation, lightheadedness and impaired judgment. Skullcap can cause similar effects of mental confusion, so it is important that you only use this product before bedtime.

Blue vervain is considered safe according to the FDA; however, this herb can irritate the kidneys and cause inflammation, so it should be avoided in people suffering with any form of kidney disease.

Cost

6) How Much Does Sound Sleep Cost?

Sound Sleep costs approximately $20 for 30 capsules, depending on where you purchase the product. If taken as directed by the manufacturer, one bottle would last for 10 to 15 days.

How To Use

7) How to Use Sound Sleep

Sound Sleep is recommended for adults only. The dose is 2 to 3 capsules taken 1 hour before desired sleep. Sound Sleep may only be used for a maximum period of one month. Also, the manufacturer advises that if side effects associated with Kava kava occur, (nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, tiredness, abdominal pain, weakness, and loss of appetite) the product should be stopped, and a health-care professional should be consulted.

Final Thoughts

8) Final Thoughts on Sound Sleep

Sound Sleep is advertised as a sleep remedy that facilitates falling asleep. The formula contains a mixture of herbal ingredients known to support relaxation and to have sedative properties. We like the fact that Gaia herbs’ philosophy maintains that plants are grown to heal. Consumer reviews are generally positive on this product with most users confirming that it helped them fall asleep and provided feelings of relaxation. Some, however, claim it had no effect at all.

Given the widespread abuse of certain prescription medications used to treat insomnia, Sound Sleep may be a good option to consider if you are having trouble falling or staying asleep. The ingredient of concern is kava kava as it has many drug interactions and side effects. If you have concerns, you should speak with your health-care provider.

4/5 - (2 votes)
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Deborah kimberly

I am not impressed with Sound Sleep, for me it didn’t work. 45 minutes after taking 2 capsules I still lied in bed awake. I took it for like 4 or 5 days and then gave up. I have two cousins who take it and are very satisfied. I don’t know why it didn’t work for me.

Leonard

I think Sound Sleep is excellent. It helps me go to sleep and rest the whole night through, without feeling like I have a drug induced hangover in the morning.