You should look for a supplement that contains Vitamin B6, Ashwagandha root, Melatonin, and GABA as each of these have been shown through research to support a good night’s sleep. 

Vitamin B6, which is also called pyridoxine, enhances the activity of a neurotransmitter called serotonin that regulates sleep. Vitamin B6 also converts a protein called 5-HTP into serotonin, thereby further promoting your ability to fall asleep easily and stay asleep. 

Ashwagandha root is another potent botanical that has been shown to improve the quality of sleep, but it helps improve memory and cognition as well, which means you will feel well rested and will also be more alert during the day. 

Everyone has heard of melatonin, and it is often called the ‘sleep hormone’.  Melatonin controls the way you naturally fall asleep and wake up, but factors such as high levels of stress, consuming a lot of caffeine, or limited exposure to daylight during the winter months, for example, can decrease the amount of melatonin your body produces. Therefore, taking a supplement with melatonin can help ensure that your body has the right amount of this sleep-inducing hormone. 

GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid is another neurotransmitter that is naturally found in the brain. When GABA activity in the brain increases, it begins to make you feel calmer and more relaxed, but it also improves your mood and reduces symptoms of anxiety.

If, for instance, your lifestyle or job duties cause you to experience high levels of anxiety this may lead to sleep problems. Adding a supplement that contains GABA to your diet can promote relaxation and help you fall asleep easier. 

Passion flower is a popular plant that has been used for centuries for people suffering from sleep problems due to its ability to reduce restlessness, irritability, and tenseness that often prevents people from falling asleep.  Research also suggests that passion flower supports healthy levels of GABA in the brain. 

Additional herbs and minerals that you should look for in a natural sleep aid are valerian root, zinc, and magnesium as studies show that they relax restless muscles, target insomnia, and improve the ease in which a person falls asleep.

Other well-known sleep-inducing botanicals that you should look for in a supplement include: lemon balm, chamomile, skullcap, hops, and L-Theanine.