How Long Does It Take for Valerian Root to Kick in?
Valerian root, also called Valeriana Officinalis, is a plant that originated in Europe, and it has been used as a natural remedy since the middle ages. It is often prescribed to patients who feel high levels of anxiety or those who suffer from insomnia. But how effective is it, and how quickly can you expect a result? The answer is that everything depends on your symptoms and your body’s reactions to the root.
While some patients experience an immediate relief, others don’t derive much benefit from Valeriana Officinalis. In general, you can expect an improvement within 2-4 weeks. If you don’t notice any changes to your sleeping patterns and your anxiety levels, you can try some alternatives. Nootropic medicines are designed to improve cognition, but many of them are also effective at calming down the body and the mind.
How Long Does It Take for Valerian Root to Have an Effect?
Patients who have insomnia should start taking 450–1,410 mg of whole valerian every night before they go to bed. Those with anxiety should take 400–600 mg of valerian extract up to three times a day for best results. While these are some standard doses, you should speak to your doctor before starting to take this medicine, especially if you have a medical condition.
Not everyone feels instant changes after they begin to take Valeriana Officinalis. The speed of results depends on your individual reaction to the root and the amount you take each day. Some people start to notice changes almost right away, while others need to wait for two to four weeks. If you’ve been taking Valeriana Officinalis for four to eight weeks and you haven’t noticed any improvement in your condition, you might need to look for a stronger alternative.
What Effects Does Valeriana Officinalis Have?
GABA is one of your body’s most important chemical messengers, and it affects your nerve impulses. One of its main functions is to regulate your sleep. While scientists aren’t yet completely certain how Valeriana Officinalis calms your body down, it’s likely that some of the plant’s compounds increase the amount of GABA available in your body. This can help you sleep better, but it also reduces the amount of anxiety you feel.
Helps with Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are major problems in our current society. It is estimated that 77% of the population experiences stress that affects their physical health, and a third suffers from extreme stress. While it’s always important to address the root cause of the problem, taking a supplement that reduces anxiety can be a first good step. Valeriana Officinalis has been shown to relax the body and the mind, and it can also reduce hyperactivity.
Helps You Sleep Better
If you take Valeriana Officinalis one hour before you go to bed, you might be able to sleep better and for longer. What’s more, you might not wake up as often during the night as you otherwise would. Several studies have been conducted, and all of them have shown an increase in sleep quality in at least some of the patients.
While there are more effective sleep drugs available, one of the main benefits of Valeriana Officinalis is that it is all-natural and therefore safe for almost every patient. Often, supplements containing this root also include other natural substances that promote sleep or improve the immune system, such as hop and jujube.
Who Should Take Valeriana Officinalis?
Side effects from Valerian root are extremely uncommon, so this medicine is appropriate for virtually all patients. If you suffer from anxiety, stress, or insomnia, you could give it a try and see if your situation improves. Sometimes, the root can also be beneficial for people who have menopausal symptoms, menstrual issues, or restless leg syndrome.
To make sure the medicine is safe for you, you should take it in the recommended dosage and avoid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Anyone who has a serious medical condition or is currently undergoing treatment for a disease should speak to their primary physician before taking Valeriana Officinalis.
What Are Some Nootropic Alternatives to Valeriana Officinalis?
For many people, Valeriana Officinalis works well. However, it isn’t the right solution for every patient. If you can’t take this medicine because of health concerns, or you’ve tried it and you haven’t experienced the desired results, you should give some alternatives a go. Nootropics are drugs designed to improve cognition and memory, but some of them are also extremely effective at helping you to fall asleep.
Huperzine-A
Huperzine-A is a chemical that can be found on Chinese club moss and fir club moss, and it increases the levels of acetylcholine in the body. This drug is used for a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s, dementia, schizophrenia, and depression. Additionally, it can increase your REM sleep, which is the stage during which you dream.
REM sleep is particularly important for processing events that happened during the day and increasing memory development. Just like with Valeriana Officinalis, you should expect the effects of Huperzine-A to become noticeable within a few weeks of taking your first dose.
Phenibut
Phenibut is similar to GABA, so it has a comparable effect on the brain. Most people who take this nootropic experience increased tranquility and an improved mood. If a small dose is taken at night, the patient falls asleep faster and gets a good night’s sleep.
When you take this drug as a pill or a powder mixed with a liquid, you will feel its effects within two hours. Unfortunately, Phenibut isn’t available in many pharmacies, so you might have to visit specialist stores or order online.
Aniracetam
Aniracteam works on the AMPA receptors in your brain cells and increases the speed of your neurological signals. It is therefore a great drug for anyone who suffers from memory loss and problems with concentration. Some of the conditions it commonly treats include ADHD, motion sickness, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, it also has a positive impact on your mental health and your sleep, and in some cases, it can even address clinical depression.
Most people who take Aniracetam will experience an increase in their REM sleep around five days after the initial dose. To get the best results, you should experiment with the time of day you take your medicine. Some people feel more awake when they take Aniracetam late in the evening, so they should take it in the morning instead if they want to get a good night’s sleep.
If you suffer from anxiety and insomnia, you should give Valerian Root a try. This natural medicine has provided good results for many people. While some patients are able to sleep better within a few days of starting to take the root, others won’t feel a difference until several weeks. Depending on the reason for your insomnia or anxiety and your individual reaction to natural remedies, you might need a stronger medicine to improve your condition.
Some great nootropic alternatives are Huperzine, Phenibut, and Aniracetam. These drugs are designed to improve cognition and calm you down, but they can also be extremely effective sleep aids.