Best for Sleep
Compounds that improve sleep quality and duration
133 compounds studied for this goal
Ashwagandha
SupplementAshwagandha demonstrates consistent, clinically meaningful improvements in sleep quality across multiple well-designed human RCTs. Effects are most pronounced in individuals with diagnosed insomnia and at doses ≥600 mg/day, with improvements in sleep onset latency, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency documented in meta-analyses.
GLP-1
PeptideGLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly tirzepatide and semaglutide, demonstrate strong evidence for improving obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) through weight loss and direct metabolic effects. Multiple RCTs and meta-analyses confirm clinically meaningful reductions in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), though evidence is specific to OSA rather than general sleep quality.
Probiotics
SupplementProbiotics demonstrate consistent, clinically meaningful improvements in sleep quality across multiple human RCTs, with effect sizes ranging from 7-40% improvements in various sleep metrics. Evidence is supported by meta-analyses showing significant effects in both healthy adults and clinical populations, though long-term durability and optimal strain/dose protocols remain incompletely defined.
Melatonin
SupplementMelatonin supplementation has strong, consistent evidence for improving sleep quality in humans across multiple RCTs and meta-analyses. Effect sizes are moderate and clinically meaningful, with robust replication across diverse populations.
Lemon Balm
SupplementLemon balm demonstrates consistent, clinically meaningful improvements in sleep quality across multiple human RCTs with moderate to good sample sizes. Effects are replicated across diverse populations and formulations, with clear dose-response relationships and measured improvements in standard sleep indices.
L-Theanine
Amino AcidL-theanine demonstrates consistent, clinically meaningful improvements in sleep quality across multiple well-designed human RCTs, with optimal doses of 200-450 mg/day showing benefits in sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, and subjective sleep quality. Evidence is strong but not conclusive at the highest tier due to modest effect sizes and some inconsistent findings across studies.
DSIP
PeptideDSIP shows mixed efficacy for sleep in humans with some positive RCT results, but effects are generally weak, inconsistent across studies, and clinical significance remains unclear. Multiple well-designed RCTs exist but report conflicting outcomes and modest effect sizes.
Ibutamoren
PeptideIbutamoren (MK-677) shows probable efficacy for improving sleep quality in humans based on 3 small RCTs, with demonstrated increases in deep sleep and REM sleep duration. However, evidence is limited by small sample sizes and single-study findings without independent replication.
Cortexin
PeptideCortexin shows probable efficacy for sleep disturbances in humans based on multiple observational studies and one RCT, but evidence is limited by small sample sizes, lack of independent replication, and absence of placebo-controlled designs in most studies.
Omega-3
SupplementOmega-3 supplementation shows probable benefits for sleep quality in humans, with multiple RCTs demonstrating modest improvements in sleep parameters. However, evidence is limited by small sample sizes, short intervention periods, and inconsistent effect measures across studies.
Magnesium
SupplementMagnesium supplementation shows modest but inconsistent improvements in sleep onset latency and sleep quality in some populations, particularly older adults and post-surgical patients, but efficacy is not proven across diverse groups and effect sizes are small.
Vitamin D3
SupplementVitamin D3 shows probable benefit for sleep quality based on a meta-analysis of 5 RCTs demonstrating significant improvement, but evidence is limited by small study counts, moderate sample sizes, and high heterogeneity. Clinical significance remains modest.
Zinc
SupplementZinc supplementation shows probable but not conclusive benefit for sleep quality in humans, with multiple small RCTs and meta-analyses suggesting improvements, but results are inconsistent and clinical significance remains unclear.
Curcumin
SupplementCurcumin shows modest promise for sleep improvement in specific populations (migraine patients, premenstrual syndrome), but evidence remains mixed with one negative RCT and results not independently replicated across different patient groups. Efficacy is probable but not conclusive.
NMN
SupplementNMN shows probable efficacy for improving sleep quality in humans based on 3-4 RCTs, but evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, short intervention periods, and lack of independent replication. Effects appear modest and focused on sleep quality metrics rather than objective sleep architecture.
CoQ10
SupplementCoQ10 shows probable benefit for sleep disturbance in specific conditions (tinnitus, ME/CFS, fibromyalgia), with positive results in multiple human studies, but evidence is limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous populations, and inconsistent effects across different outcome measures.
Collagen Peptides
SupplementCollagen peptides show modest improvements in sleep fragmentation in a small human RCT, but efficacy is not conclusively proven. One study found reduced awakenings and improved cognitive function; however, other quality metrics were unchanged, and independent replication is lacking.
Milk Thistle
SupplementMilk thistle appears to improve sleep quality when combined with other nutraceutical ingredients in human RCTs, but evidence is limited to 2 human trials with mixed study designs. Efficacy as a standalone intervention for sleep is not established.
Rhodiola Rosea
SupplementRhodiola rosea shows probable efficacy for improving sleep quality in humans, supported by multiple RCTs and observational studies, but evidence is limited by small sample sizes, short intervention periods, and lack of independent replication across large populations.
Black Seed Oil
SupplementBlack seed oil (specifically proprietary thymoquinone-rich extracts) shows probable efficacy for improving sleep quality in humans based on 3 RCTs, but evidence is limited by small sample sizes, short study durations, and lack of independent replication. One RCT found no significant improvement compared to placebo.
Spirulina
SupplementSpirulina shows modest benefits for sleep quality in humans based on two small RCTs, with one study demonstrating significant improvements in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores. However, evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, short intervention periods, and inconsistent effects across sleep parameters.
Fenugreek
SupplementFenugreek shows probable efficacy for sleep improvement, primarily in menopausal women, based on two human RCTs and one mechanistic animal study. However, the evidence is limited by small sample sizes and lack of independent replication in broader populations.
Vitamin C
SupplementVitamin C shows probable but not conclusive benefit for sleep quality based on limited human evidence. One large observational study found reduced sleep disorder risk with higher dietary intake, and one RCT showed vitamin C improved sleep quality after noise exposure in women, but direct sleep efficacy studies are sparse and results are mixed.
Vitamin B Complex
SupplementVitamin B Complex shows probable benefit for sleep quality, particularly when combined with magnesium and other nutrients. Evidence is moderate but inconsistent: some RCTs show improvements in sleep dysfunction and dream recall, while others report adverse effects on sleep quality.
Vitamin B12
SupplementVitamin B12 shows moderate evidence for sleep improvement, primarily through circadian rhythm modulation rather than direct sleep enhancement. Multiple human studies demonstrate effects on melatonin rhythm and light sensitivity, but results on actual sleep quality and duration are mixed and inconsistent.
Vitamin E
SupplementVitamin E shows probable benefit for sleep quality in postmenopausal women with insomnia, demonstrated in one well-designed RCT with meaningful improvements in sleep scores. However, evidence remains limited to a single human RCT with moderate sample size, and most other human data are observational associations rather than intervention studies.
Iron
SupplementIron supplementation demonstrates probable efficacy for sleep improvement in iron-deficient populations, particularly those with restless legs syndrome (RLS). Evidence comes from multiple human studies showing consistent improvements in sleep quality and RLS symptoms, but most studies are observational or small RCTs with limited sample sizes.
Boswellia
SupplementBoswellia shows probable efficacy for sleep improvement based on 2 human RCTs, but evidence is limited by small sample sizes, short study durations, and inconsistent measurement of sleep outcomes across studies.
Pycnogenol
SupplementPycnogenol shows probable efficacy for sleep improvement in menopausal women, with one double-blind RCT demonstrating significant benefits for insomnia/sleep problems. However, evidence is limited to a single rigorous human trial and lacks independent replication in this specific population.
Bromelain
SupplementBromelain shows probable efficacy for improving sleep quality in the immediate postoperative period after third molar surgery, based on a meta-analysis of RCTs with a large effect size. However, evidence is limited to a single clinical context and lacks replication in other populations or sleep disorders.
Kava
SupplementKava shows probable efficacy for sleep and anxiety in humans, supported by 2 RCTs and multiple observational studies demonstrating reduced sleep latency and anxiety symptoms. However, evidence is limited by small sample sizes, short treatment durations, and serious safety concerns including hepatotoxicity that restrict clinical use.
Passionflower
SupplementPassionflower demonstrates probable efficacy for sleep improvement in humans based on 2 RCTs and multiple observational studies, but evidence is limited by small sample sizes, short treatment durations, and inconsistent objective measures. Clinical meaningfulness remains uncertain.
Schisandra
SupplementSchisandra chinensis shows probable efficacy for sleep improvement based on 2 human RCTs and consistent animal evidence, but human studies are limited in sample size and the overall evidence base remains modest. The compound appears to work through multiple neurotransmitter pathways, but independent replication and larger trials are needed.
Butyrate
SupplementButyrate shows probable efficacy for improving sleep through multiple mechanistic pathways in humans, supported by 2-3 human RCTs and consistent mechanistic evidence in observational studies. However, evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, short intervention periods, and lack of independent replication in large-scale trials.
Lion's Mane
NootropicLion's Mane shows probable benefit for sleep quality based on 2 human studies, but evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, short intervention periods, and lack of independent replication. Efficacy is suggested but not conclusively proven.
Vinpocetine
NootropicVinpocetine shows probable efficacy for sleep-related outcomes in humans with chronic cerebral ischemia, but evidence is limited to small observational studies without placebo controls. The single RCT found no interaction with a benzodiazepine, not direct sleep efficacy.
Bromantane
NootropicBromantane (ladasten) shows probable efficacy for sleep disorders in humans based on 3 RCTs, with 90.8% of patients reporting improvements in sleep-wake cycle normalization. However, evidence is limited by lack of placebo-controlled sleep-specific outcome measures and absence of independent replication.
Glycine
Amino AcidGlycine shows probable efficacy for improving sleep quality in humans based on 2-3 small RCTs and observational studies, with demonstrated reductions in sleep fragmentation and sleep latency. However, evidence remains limited by small sample sizes and inconsistent outcome measures across studies.
5-HTP
Amino Acid5-HTP shows probable benefit for sleep quality in humans based on 2-3 RCTs and observational studies, with improvements in subjective sleep measures and serotonin levels. However, evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, inconsistent outcome measures across studies, and mixed results on objective sleep metrics.
GABA
Amino AcidGABA supplementation shows probable efficacy for improving sleep quality in humans based on 3-4 small RCTs, but results are not yet conclusive. Evidence is limited by small sample sizes, short intervention periods, and lack of independent replication across multiple research groups.
Ornithine
Amino AcidOrnithine shows probable efficacy for improving sleep quality in healthy, stressed populations based on one well-designed human RCT. However, evidence is limited to a single study with a small sample size, and replication by independent research groups is lacking.
L-Serine
Amino AcidL-serine shows probable efficacy for sleep disturbances in rare GRIN2B-related neurodevelopmental disorders based on 2–3 small human studies, but evidence is limited to this specific genetic condition and lacks independent replication in broader populations.
Creatine Monohydrate
SupplementCreatine monohydrate shows emerging but inconsistent evidence for sleep benefits in humans, with only 5 RCTs of modest sample sizes and mixed results. One animal study suggests potential sleep-reducing effects through brain energy mechanisms, but human efficacy remains unproven.
Selank
PeptideSelank has not been directly studied for sleep as a primary outcome in humans. One small RCT suggests it may reduce benzodiazepine-induced sleep disturbances when used as an adjunct to phenazepam, but this is indirect evidence and not a direct test of efficacy for sleep.
Epithalon
PeptideEpithalon shows consistent effects on melatonin production and circadian rhythm regulation in animal models and limited human observations, but no randomized controlled trials in humans exist for sleep as a primary outcome. Efficacy is plausible based on mechanism but unproven in clinical sleep studies.
Sermorelin
PeptideSermorelin (GHRH analog) shows a plausible mechanistic link to sleep regulation in animal and antagonist studies, but there is NO direct evidence that sermorelin administration improves sleep in humans. Evidence remains preliminary.
Tesamorelin
PeptideTesamorelin has been investigated for sleep maintenance insomnia in early-phase clinical trials, but no efficacy results are reported in these abstracts. Evidence remains preliminary and based on mechanistic rationale rather than proven clinical outcomes.
GHRP-6
PeptideGHRP-6 shows modest effects on sleep architecture and hormone secretion in two human RCTs, but efficacy is limited and route-dependent. Animal studies demonstrate circadian modulation, but clinical significance for sleep improvement remains unproven.
VIP
PeptideVIP's role in sleep is mechanistically studied and well-documented in animal models and circadian system research, but there is no direct human evidence demonstrating that VIP supplementation or manipulation improves sleep quality or duration in patients.
Cerebrolysin
PeptideCerebrolysin shows plausible neuroprotective effects and may improve sleep disturbances associated with diabetic neuropathy, but evidence is limited to one small human RCT (n=20) and mechanistic reviews. Efficacy for sleep as a primary outcome is not established.
Prostatilen
PeptideA single uncontrolled observational study reports that prostatilen improved sleep in 96.7% of chronic prostatitis patients, but this finding is incidental to the study's primary endpoint and lacks rigorous methodology. Efficacy for sleep specifically is plausible but not proven.
NAC
SupplementNAC shows plausible but unproven efficacy for sleep based on one human RCT demonstrating benefit for blast-induced mTBI sleep disturbances, plus suggestive animal and mechanistic evidence. Human evidence is limited to a single combat field study with small sample size.
Quercetin
SupplementQuercetin's effects on sleep remain unproven in humans. One RCT found no significant benefit for sleep quality over 6 weeks, while another reported secondary improvements in sleep metrics alongside fatigue reduction, but sleep was not the primary outcome. Animal data suggests potential circadian rhythm effects, but this does not translate to demonstrated sleep efficacy in humans.
Resveratrol
SupplementResveratrol has been studied for sleep in several human RCTs, but evidence of efficacy is weak and inconsistent. Most studies report null effects on sleep quality, with only mixed results on mood and well-being.
Vitamin K2
SupplementVitamin K2 has been studied in one human RCT for nocturnal leg cramps, but the abstract does not report actual efficacy results—only study design and planned outcomes. A secondary mechanistic study documents bioavailability but provides no evidence of sleep-related benefits.
Tongkat Ali
SupplementTongkat Ali shows plausible sleep-enhancing effects in animal models through circadian rhythm modulation and melatonin biosynthesis pathways, but human efficacy for sleep remains unproven. Two human RCTs measured sleep quality as a secondary outcome with unclear or unreported results.
Green Tea Extract
SupplementGreen tea extract shows plausible but unproven effects on sleep in humans. One moderate-quality RCT found improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia severity in a polyphenol blend containing EGCG, while another RCT in older adults showed only a trend toward improvement with matcha. Animal studies and mechanistic research suggest circadian rhythm modulation, but human evidence remains limited and inconsistent.
Psyllium Husk
SupplementPsyllium husk shows plausible benefit for sleep quality through gut health improvement in one human observational study, but evidence remains preliminary with no RCTs, small sample sizes, and results not independently replicated.
Saw Palmetto
SupplementSaw palmetto has been studied primarily for benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms, not directly for sleep. While some studies show associations between urinary symptom improvement and sleep disturbance reduction, there is no direct evidence that saw palmetto improves sleep as a primary outcome.
Selenium
SupplementSelenium supplementation shows plausible but unproven efficacy for sleep. One animal study demonstrated prolonged sleep duration in rats, and one observational study in hemodialysis patients found lower blood selenium associated with severe sleep disturbance, but no rigorous human trials directly testing selenium for sleep improvement exist.
Urolithin A
SupplementUrolithin A shows mechanistic plausibility for sleep health through circadian rhythm modulation and mitochondrial function in preclinical models, but no human studies have directly measured sleep outcomes. Current evidence is limited to animal and in-vitro studies.
Beta-Glucans
SupplementBeta-glucans show promise for sleep quality in preliminary human studies and circadian rhythm regulation in animal models, but direct evidence of efficacy for sleep is limited to one pilot RCT with a small sample and a multi-ingredient formulation. Most evidence is mechanistic or indirect.
Cordyceps
SupplementOne small human RCT (n=59) shows Cordyceps militaris may improve sleep in depressed patients when combined with duloxetine, but efficacy is not yet proven. Supporting animal evidence suggests cordycepin (a Cordyceps compound) promotes sleep through HPA axis modulation, but human data remain limited.
Reishi
SupplementReishi shows consistent sleep-promoting effects in animal models through multiple mechanistic pathways, but human evidence is extremely limited—only one small observational study in cancer patients. Efficacy in humans is plausible but unproven.
Epicatechin
SupplementEpicatechin shows plausible mechanisms for sleep support through circadian rhythm and immune modulation, but evidence is limited to mechanistic studies and one animal model demonstrating sleep prolongation. No human trials have directly tested epicatechin for sleep.
Apigenin
SupplementApigenin shows promise for sleep improvement based on consistent animal studies and one human observational study, but lacks human RCT evidence. Efficacy is plausible but not yet proven in humans.
Pterostilbene
SupplementPterostilbene shows promise for sleep-related outcomes through circadian rhythm restoration in animal models, but no human clinical trials exist. All evidence comes from rodent studies demonstrating circadian clock gene normalization and sleep architecture improvements.
Grape Seed Extract
SupplementGrape seed extract shows promise for modulating circadian rhythms and sleep-related parameters in animal models, but evidence of direct efficacy for sleep improvement in humans is minimal. Only one human RCT reported sleep outcomes, showing modest reductions in insomnia scores with high-dose extract in menopausal women.
Olive Leaf Extract
SupplementOlive leaf extract shows potential sedative effects in animal models, but human evidence for sleep is absent. One observational article mentions it as an immune enhancer without sleep-specific data, while a rat study demonstrated sedative properties through anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Cistanche
SupplementOne double-blind RCT found that a combination product containing Cistanche and Ginkgo improved chronic fatigue symptoms and unrefreshing sleep in adults over 60 days, but this is a single study with a botanical combination rather than Cistanche alone, making it preliminary evidence for Cistanche's specific role in sleep improvement.
Valerian Root
SupplementValerian root shows weak and inconsistent efficacy for sleep improvement in humans. While generally safe, most rigorous studies find no significant benefit over placebo for objective sleep measures, with subjective improvements that may reflect placebo effect.
Pregnenolone
SupplementPregnenolone is a neurosteroid precursor implicated in sleep regulation through GABA receptor modulation, but clinical evidence of efficacy for sleep is minimal. One small human RCT found pregnenolone by itself had no significant effects on sleep quality, though it did attenuate benzodiazepine-induced sedation.
Rapamycin
SupplementRapamycin modulates circadian clock function and sleep-wake regulation through mTOR signaling pathways, with evidence primarily from animal studies and mechanistic research. Human evidence is limited to one observational case series of rare genetic disease, showing that rapamycin can improve circadian rhythm amplitude in specific pathological contexts, but no rigorous human efficacy trials for sleep improvement in healthy populations exist.
Astragalus
SupplementAstragalus polysaccharide shows promise for sleep disorders in a Drosophila aging model, but human efficacy for sleep remains unproven. Only one animal study directly addressed sleep outcomes; no human RCTs specifically testing astragalus for sleep were identified.
Peppermint Oil
SupplementPeppermint oil shows promise for improving sleep as part of a multi-ingredient formula in one human RCT, but there is no direct, isolated evidence that peppermint oil alone improves sleep. Sleep improvement was a secondary outcome in a GI-focused study, not the primary endpoint.
Alpha-GPC
NootropicAlpha-GPC has not been directly studied for sleep improvement in rigorous human trials. One case report mentions sleep restoration when alpha-GPC was used as part of a multi-component regimen, but this provides minimal evidence of efficacy for sleep as an isolated outcome.
Bacopa Monnieri
NootropicBacopa monnieri has been studied for sleep in humans and animals, but evidence of actual efficacy remains limited and mixed. While traditional use and mechanistic studies suggest potential benefits, the two human RCTs show inconsistent results, with one finding no significant sleep improvement and another not reporting sleep outcomes directly.
Phosphatidylserine
NootropicPhosphatidylserine shows plausible but unproven efficacy for sleep. While one animal study demonstrated acute restoration of sleep patterns in Parkinson's disease models, human evidence is limited to small observational studies and mechanistic findings; no rigorous human RCTs directly testing PS for sleep exist.
CDP-Choline
NootropicCDP-Choline shows plausible benefits for sleep-related outcomes in one human observational study (38.6% insomnia disappearance rate), and improves memory deficits caused by REM sleep deprivation in rats. However, no human RCTs exist, and evidence for direct sleep improvement is limited and not conclusively proven.
Ginkgo Biloba
NootropicGinkgo biloba has been studied for sleep-related outcomes primarily as an adjunctive treatment in insomnia patients and in combination with other interventions. Evidence is limited to observational data, small-scale human trials, and mentions in meta-analyses of broader psychiatric conditions; no dedicated, high-quality RCTs specifically testing ginkgo for sleep as a primary outcome have been identified in this dataset.
Panax Ginseng
NootropicPanax ginseng shows plausible promise for sleep improvement based on mechanistic studies and limited human evidence, but efficacy is not yet proven. Most human studies show mixed or null results for sleep specifically, while animal models and mechanism-focused research suggest potential pathways involving orexin and oxidative stress reduction.
Piracetam
NootropicPiracetam has been used in clinical practice for sleep-related conditions and appears in observational studies of insomnia treatment, but direct evidence of efficacy for sleep improvement is minimal and largely indirect. No well-controlled RCTs specifically testing piracetam for sleep disorders were found in this evidence set.
Aniracetam
NootropicAniracetam shows plausible but unproven efficacy for sleep. One small human study (n=9) reported 78% treatment success when combined with zopiclone, but this was observational with no placebo control. Animal studies suggest mechanisms involving circadian rhythm regulation, but human sleep efficacy remains unestablished.
Uridine
NootropicUridine has been studied for sleep in only 2 human trials, both small and focused on specific populations (infants and low back pain patients). While both showed positive effects on sleep metrics, the evidence is insufficient to prove efficacy in the general population.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Amino AcidAcetyl-L-carnitine has not been proven effective for sleep improvement in humans. While animal studies suggest potential mechanisms involving melatonin and circadian rhythm modulation, human evidence is limited to indirect observations in fibromyalgia and other conditions where sleep was a secondary outcome, with mixed or non-significant results.
Taurine
Amino AcidTaurine's effects on sleep are not directly studied in humans. Evidence is limited to two animal studies showing taurine can help restore sleep-deprivation-induced damage to skin and intestinal barrier function, and one observational study noting that energy drinks containing taurine are perceived to cause insomnia—suggesting taurine may impair sleep rather than improve it.
BCAAs
Amino AcidBCAAs show mixed and mostly negative effects on sleep in the limited human evidence available. One population-based study found higher BCAAs associated with shorter sleep duration and more sleep troubles in children, while one RCT showed modest improvements in insomnia severity as a secondary outcome when combined with exercise. Efficacy for sleep is not proven.
L-Carnosine
Amino AcidL-Carnosine supplementation showed modest improvements in sleep disorders in autistic children in a single small RCT, with 7.59% reduction in total sleep disorder score, but evidence remains preliminary with only one human study and no replication.
Arginine
Amino AcidL-arginine shows plausible mechanisms for supporting sleep health through circadian gene regulation and endothelial function, but evidence is limited to one small human RCT (n=20) and animal models. Human efficacy for sleep as a primary outcome has not been proven.
Tryptophan
Amino AcidTryptophan is mechanistically involved in sleep-wake regulation through conversion to serotonin and melatonin, but direct evidence for tryptophan supplementation improving human sleep is absent. Evidence consists primarily of mechanistic studies and animal models; no human RCTs demonstrate efficacy for sleep improvement.
BPC-157
PeptideNo direct evidence exists for BPC-157's effects on sleep. Only mentioned indirectly in a review as part of a broader discussion of therapeutic peptides in orthopedics.
TB-500
PeptideTB-500 has only theoretical connections to sleep through review mentions of circadian regulation, but no studies have actually tested its effects on sleep outcomes.
GHK-Cu
PeptideGHK-Cu is mentioned in a 2026 review as a wound-healing peptide with potential orthopaedic applications, but there is no direct evidence that it affects sleep. The review does not report any sleep-related studies or outcomes for this compound.
CJC-1295
PeptideCJC-1295 is mentioned as a growth hormone secretagogue in a single review article on orthopaedic peptides, but there is no direct evidence of efficacy for sleep. The compound is not studied or discussed in relation to sleep outcomes in the available literature.
Ipamorelin
PeptideIpamorelin is mentioned as a growth hormone secretagogue in a single review article, but there is no direct evidence that it improves sleep. The review does not report any sleep-specific outcomes or efficacy data for this compound.
PT-141
PeptidePT-141 has no evidence for sleep as a health goal. The single identified abstract reports a case of anorgasmia treatment where a patient experienced insomnia and nocturia as adverse effects, not therapeutic benefits.
Thymosin Alpha-1
PeptideThymosin Alpha-1 has not been studied for sleep efficacy in humans. The available evidence only demonstrates that thymosin alpha-1 levels follow circadian rhythms regulated by melatonin and sleep-wake cycles, but provides no evidence that administering thymosin alpha-1 improves sleep quality, duration, or any sleep-related outcome.
MOTS-c
PeptideMOTS-c was measured as a circadian biomarker in a single animal study investigating graviola oil extract in lambs, but there is no evidence that MOTS-c supplementation affects sleep or circadian function in any organism.
AOD-9604
PeptideAOD-9604 is mentioned only as a growth hormone secretagogue in a broad review of therapeutic peptides for orthopaedics; there is no evidence presented that it affects sleep, and the review explicitly notes a lack of clinical trials for peptides generally.
LL-37
PeptideLL-37 has no demonstrated efficacy for improving sleep in humans. The evidence consists of one pilot RCT measuring LL-37 as a secondary outcome of vitamin D supplementation in ICU patients, and two studies showing LL-37 involvement in rosacea-sleep associations in animal models and observational human data—none of which establish LL-37 as a sleep intervention.
Dihexa
PeptideDihexa is mentioned only as a neuroactive peptide with potential to enhance BDNF and neuroplasticity in a review article; no actual sleep studies, human trials, or efficacy data exist for this compound-goal pair.
Kisspeptin
PeptideKisspeptin has NOT been proven to improve sleep in humans. All evidence linking kisspeptin to sleep comes from mechanistic studies in menopausal women, where kisspeptin hyperactivity is implicated in sleep disruption rather than improvement. No direct kisspeptin supplementation trials for sleep exist.
Melanotan 1
PeptideMelanotan 1 (afamelanotide) was studied in EPP patients where it increased light exposure and may have affected sleep timing, but there is no evidence it directly improves sleep quality, duration, or sleep disorders in any population.
Humanin
PeptideHumanin has not been demonstrated to improve sleep outcomes in any study. The two available human observational studies mention humanin only as a biomarker altered in sleep disorders, not as a therapeutic intervention.
Thymalin
PeptideThymalin has not been studied for sleep effects in any of the available abstracts. The compound shows immune-modulating and neuromodulating activity in animal studies, but no direct evidence demonstrates efficacy for sleep.
Pinealon
PeptidePinealon is mentioned as a recovery-enhancing peptide targeting circadian and mitochondrial regulators in a 2026 review, but no human or animal efficacy studies for sleep are available in the PubMed literature. Evidence is purely theoretical based on proposed mechanisms.
Oxytocin
PeptideOxytocin is not meaningfully studied for sleep in the available literature. The single relevant abstract is a systematic review of ASD pharmacotherapy that mentions sleep (insomnia) as a comorbidity but does not evaluate oxytocin's efficacy for sleep.
Berberine
SupplementNo evidence demonstrates berberine improves sleep. The single human case report mentioned insomnia as one of many symptoms in a complex intervention; all other studies investigate metabolic and circadian clock mechanisms unrelated to sleep outcomes.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
SupplementAlpha lipoic acid has not been studied for sleep in humans. The single available study examined circadian rhythm gene expression in aged rats, showing altered clock gene transcription but no direct assessment of sleep quality or duration.
Maca Root
SupplementNo human evidence exists demonstrating that maca root affects sleep. A single 2024 review notes that maca's stimulant properties raise questions about sleep effects, but provides no efficacy data—only identifying this as an area needing investigation.
Fisetin
SupplementNo evidence supports fisetin for sleep. The three available studies examine cardiac aging, hepatic lipid metabolism, and hyperammonemia—none directly investigate sleep outcomes or sleep-related endpoints.
Spermidine
SupplementSpermidine shows promise for circadian clock modulation in cell culture, but there is no human evidence that it improves sleep quality, sleep onset, or any clinically relevant sleep outcome.
Sulforaphane
SupplementNo human evidence demonstrates that sulforaphane improves sleep. The single human RCT in autism did not measure sleep outcomes, and animal studies show only indirect circadian rhythm effects without direct sleep improvement data.
Astaxanthin
SupplementNo evidence supports astaxanthin for sleep. The single available study focuses on heart failure patients and measures physical activity and quality of life, not sleep outcomes.
Glutathione
SupplementNo evidence supports glutathione for sleep. The single identified study examined kidney disease mechanisms in mice and did not assess sleep outcomes or glutathione supplementation effects on sleep.
TUDCA
SupplementTUDCA has not been studied for sleep as a primary outcome in humans. One zebrafish study noted circadian rhythm disruptions in disease but reported only 'partial improvements' with TUDCA treatment without quantifying sleep-specific outcomes. No human evidence exists for TUDCA's efficacy on sleep.
Shilajit
SupplementOnly a narrative review exists discussing Shilajit for high-altitude insomnia; no human trials, animal studies, or mechanistic research on sleep efficacy are presented. Claims about sleep improvement are theoretical, not evidence-based.
Lactoferrin
SupplementLactoferrin has not been demonstrated to improve sleep in any studies. The single available study examined intestinal circadian rhythm disruption in growth-restricted mice and found lactoferrin did not prevent the effects of growth restriction on gut clock function.
Echinacea
SupplementNo evidence exists that Echinacea improves sleep. The single available abstract is a review of Echinacea's effects on liver disease, with no mention of sleep outcomes or sleep-related mechanisms.
CLA
SupplementCLA has not been studied for sleep efficacy in any human trials. The available evidence consists of mechanistic studies in cells and animals showing that CLA modulates circadian clock gene expression, but there is no direct evidence that CLA improves sleep quality, latency, duration, or any other sleep outcome.
Whey Protein
SupplementWhey protein supplementation does not improve sleep quality or duration in humans. The two available RCTs show null or irrelevant results for sleep outcomes.
D-Ribose
SupplementD-ribose has not been proven effective for sleep in humans. The available evidence consists only of theoretical mechanisms proposed in review articles, with no clinical trials demonstrating actual efficacy for sleep outcomes.
Forskolin
SupplementForskolin (Coleus forskohlii) was screened in one animal study for arousal effects but showed no significant sleep-inducing properties; the study's focus was on Garcinia cambogia, which demonstrated arousal effects. No evidence supports forskolin's efficacy for improving sleep.
Betaine HCl
SupplementBetaine HCl has no demonstrated efficacy for sleep based on available evidence. The only human RCT studying betaine for a neurological condition (Angelman syndrome) reported adverse events including worsening or onset of sleep disturbances, with no beneficial effects on any outcome measure. The second study is a review of L-carnitine (a betaine derivative) in horses with no relevance to human sleep.
Centrophenoxine
NootropicCentrophenoxine has not been demonstrated to improve sleep in humans. The only relevant study in rats showed no significant effects on sleep-wake patterns, making efficacy for this goal unproven.
NSI-189
NootropicNSI-189 showed potential in a single mouse study as a mitochondrial protector that rescued memory impairment caused by alprazolam; however, there is no direct evidence that NSI-189 improves sleep itself, and all data come from animal models with no human trials.
DMAE
NootropicDMAE has not been studied for sleep in humans. A single animal study showed sleep disturbance with a DMAE analogue (NADE), but this does not constitute evidence that DMAE improves or treats sleep.
Sulbutiamine
NootropicSulbutiamine shows EEG and sleep architecture changes in a single small animal study, but there is no human evidence of efficacy for sleep. The study demonstrates facilitation of wakefulness rather than sleep improvement.
Oxiracetam
NootropicOxiracetam appears in observational data as a medication used by insomnia patients, but there is no direct evidence that it improves sleep. The only mechanistic study examined cerebrovascular effects in rats, not sleep outcomes.
L-Glutamine
Amino AcidL-Glutamine has not been directly studied as a sleep intervention in any human trials. While glutamine levels are mentioned in mechanistic studies of sleep disorders and insomnia treatments, there is no evidence that L-Glutamine supplementation itself improves sleep in humans.
Beta-Alanine
Amino AcidBeta-alanine has not been proven effective for sleep in humans. The available evidence consists of one meta-analysis on autism (which identified sleep as a secondary outcome but did not report sleep-specific efficacy data), one military training study that did not measure sleep outcomes, one review discussing hot flushes and sleep disturbances (without empirical sleep data), and one in-vitro Drosophila study unrelated to sleep.
L-Citrulline
Amino AcidL-Citrulline has not been demonstrated to improve sleep quality or sleep outcomes in humans. Available evidence is sparse and indirect, focusing on blood pressure regulation and arginine metabolism rather than sleep-specific endpoints.
Leucine
Amino AcidNo evidence demonstrates that leucine improves sleep in humans. All studies are animal models or in-vitro mechanistic research examining circadian rhythm alterations, not sleep quality or duration outcomes.