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Published Apr 17, 2022

SUNDAY BRUNCH: Glycine as a Sleep Hack

Discover the science-backed sleep-enhancing benefits of glycine as Louisa Nicola delves into its ability to improve deep and REM sleep, regulate body temperature, and boost serotonin and melatonin levels, all while sharing her personal sleep optimization journey.
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  • Glycine Benefits

    Glycine, a nonessential amino acid, plays a crucial role in enhancing sleep quality. explains that glycine helps lower core body temperature, facilitating deep sleep and REM sleep by promoting vasodilation, which aids in body heat loss 1. This amino acid also increases serotonin levels in the brain, indirectly boosting melatonin production, the hormone responsible for sleepiness 1.

    Glycine may indirectly affect melatonin production by increasing the supply of serotonin.

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    For those interested in trying glycine, Louisa suggests a dosage of 3 grams taken an hour before bedtime to improve sleep quality and reduce daytime sleepiness 1.

       

    Personal Journey

    Louisa shares her personal journey of optimizing sleep amidst a demanding lifestyle. She recounts how her sleep quality was nearly nonexistent due to working up to 100 hours a week while training as a triathlete 2. This intense schedule led her to explore various methods to improve sleep, ultimately discovering the benefits of glycine supplementation.

    My quest for better sleep has been ongoing for the past ten years.

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    Louisa emphasizes that glycine can significantly enhance deep sleep, REM sleep, and reduce sleep latency, primarily by regulating body temperature 2.