OK, Do Sleep Supplements Actually Work? What The Experts Really Say

He likens taking a sleep supplement for chronic insomnia to expecting teeth brushing to fix your overbite: You can brush all you want—and you’ll be better off for it—but at the end of the day, you’ll need to get those braces if you want to correct the overbite.

This is an important distinction because when people start a new supplement with unrealistic expectations, they’re bound to find them ineffective. If you consistently struggle to fall or stay asleep, to the point that it affects your quality of life, you’ll want to visit a doctor or sleep specialist instead of trying supplement after supplement.

However, if you don’t have a sleep disorder but suspect that you could be sleeping deeper and waking up more refreshed, the right supplement might be able to help.*