Discover the soothing power of hops. Explore how this natural remedy promotes relaxation, eases insomnia, and improves sleep quality. Dive into the science behind hops’ calming effects and unlock the secrets to a restful night’s sleep. Sweet dreams await!
In this blog, we are going to take a journey into the world of hops. This ingredient is most known for its role in creating delicious brews, and its potential in promoting restful sleep. Beyond its association with beer, hops possess natural properties that can soothe the mind, relax the body, and pave the way for a more tranquil slumber.
If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, yearning for a night of deeper and rejuvenating sleep, allow us to reveal the many benefits of hops.
The History of Hops
Hops goes back thousands of years. Belonging to the Cannabaceae family, its botanical name is Humulus lupulus. The plant is native to Europe, Asia, and North America.
Jumping back to the medieval periods, hops truly began to be used more widely as parts of Europe used this to brew their beer. As you may have guessed, Germany of course used this ingredient to add a delightful bitterness that also acted as a natural preservative that would extend the beer’s shelf life and reduce the risk of it spoiling.
As we said, beer was not the only effect of hops that was noted. Eventually, the ingredient was used in other beverages like tea, due to its relaxing and calming effects.
Traditional medicine, specifically herbal medicine utilized hops for its sedative and calming properties. Often used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and nervous disorders; providing relaxation and aiding in the sleep journey.
Benefits of Hops
Allow us to get into some specific benefits of Hops. After this, we will delve into the hops’ ability to aid in better sleep.
- Anxiety and stress relief: Hops possessed mild anti-reducing effects due to its ability to increase gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate anxiety.
- Mood enhancement: Hops has been said to potentially have mood-enhancing properties. Noting its ability to influence positive neurotransmitters, it could potentially alleviate mild depressive symptoms.
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Hops contains various antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help combat oxidative stress as well as reduce inflammation in the body.
- Digestive Health: Hops is said to have mild digestive-stimulating effects. It has been said to help ease indigestion, bloating, and other gastrointestinal discomforts.
- Antimicrobial effects: Hops exhibits antimicrobial properties that can help to prevent the growth of certain bacteria, contributing to oral health and general immune support.
- Bone health: It has been said that there are potential benefits of hops on bone health; supporting bone density and preventing bone loss.
Hops’ Role in Promoting Better Sleep
The whole reason we are here; how can it help me sleep better? Well, allow us to explain.
- Sedative properties
- Melatonin regulation
- Reduction of sleep latency
- Natural muscle relaxation
- Aromatherapy benefits
- Modulation of sleep architecture
Sedative properties
Alpha acids and lupulin are both in hops, and both have mild sedative properties. These compounds act on the central nervous system by increasing GABA.
Speaking of GABA, that is one of the key components in Relaxium Sleep. We utilize 100 mg of GABA as it helps you to sleep, relax, and wind down. Not to mention, GABA helps to keep cortisol levels low, which is excellent for those who struggle with stress.
Melatonin regulation
Melatonin, the body’s natural sleep hormone, is responsible for the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. Some research has shown that hops can influence the release of melatonin which helps to synchronize the circadian rhythm, improving sleep quality.
Reduction of sleep latency
If you are not aware, sleep latency is the time it takes to fall asleep after getting into bed. Given its sedative effects, hops can shorten sleep latency which allows for the falling asleep process to occur much faster.
Natural muscle relaxation
Hops also possesses muscle relaxant properties. This helps to ease physical tension as well as promote a sense of physical comfort which makes for a more peaceful sleeping experience.
Aromatherapy benefits
It has been said that the aroma of hops possesses a soothing effect. Try inhaling the scent to contribute to a more calm and relaxing ambiance conducive to sleep.
Modulation of sleep architecture
There are multiple stages that the body undergoes when trying to fall asleep. Hops have been shown to affect specific stages of sleep. These include its ability to increase the amount of time in slow-wave sleep, the most restorative deep sleep stage, and REM, the dream-rich rapid eye movement sleep stage.
Different ways to consume Hops
If the concept of Hops has interested you thus far, no worries, we have some ways you can add it to your life. These include:
- Brewed beverages: Of course as we mentioned, one key ingredient of beer is hops. Its ability to bring bitter, flavor, and aroma is what makes beer what it is; so take a trip to a brewery!
- Herbal teas: Hops can also be added to teas. It is often blended with other soothing herbs such as chamomile, lavender, or valerian.
- Essential oils: Calling in its aromatherapy benefits, utilized the plant’s flowers in the bath or an oil to promote the feeling of calmness.
- Hopped ciders and non-alcoholic beverages: For those who do not drink, hops are also used in ciders and non-alcoholic beverages. Experience the same taste and relaxation benefits of hops without the hangover!
- Pillows and sachet: Place some dried hops flowers in a sachet or pillow to create a more soothing sleep environment.
Hops, the herb for relaxation and better sleep
Experience hops for more than its ability to create tasty beers, use it for better sleep!
Relaxium offers a number of safe and effective supplements that aid in the categories of sleep, calm, focus, and immunity. Created by Clinical Neurologist, Dr. Eric Ciliberti, TryRelaxium.com offers a 30-day Money Back Guarantee trial of Relaxium Sleep to allow our users to truly experience its effects. To try the product today visit our website for more information.
To restful and healthy days ahead.
The Relaxium Team
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17430638/