Why is sleep so important?

According to the National Sleep Foundation:

“We tend to think of sleep as a time when the mind and body shut down. But this is not the case; sleep is an active period in which a lot of important processing, restoration, and strengthening occurs. Exactly how this happens and why our bodies are programmed for such a long period of slumber is still somewhat of a mystery. But scientists do understand some of sleep’s critical functions, and the reasons we need it for optimal health and wellbeing.”

Healthy Brain Function and Emotional Well-Being

Restful sleep helps your brain work properly and promotes neurogenesis. While you're sleeping, your brain is preparing for the next day. It's forming new pathways to help you learn and remember new information.


Studies also show that sleep deficiency alters activity in some parts of the brain. If you're sleep deficient, you may have trouble making decisions, solving problems, managing emotions and coping with daily stress. Sleep deficiency also has been linked to depression, suicide, and risk-taking behavior.

Physical Health

Ongoing sleep deficiency is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. Sleep plays an important role in your physical health. For example, sleep is involved in healing and repairing your heart and blood vessels


Obesity is another effect of poor sleep patterns. For example, one study of teenagers showed that with each hour of sleep lost, the odds of becoming obese went up. Sleep deficiency becomes increasingly more damaging to weight management with age.


Sleep helps maintain a healthy balance of the hormones that make you feel hungry (ghrelin) or full (leptin). When you don't get enough sleep, your level of ghrelin goes up and your level of leptin goes down. This makes you feel hungrier than when you're well-rested.

Natural Sleep Aids Backed by Science

MCT Oil (Medium-Chain Triglycerides) has been shown to increase fat oxidation and reduce insulin spikes associated with high gastrointestinal carbohydrates. These are the types of carbs you can find in: potatoes, white bread, short-grain rice, most crackers, bagels, cakes, doughnuts, croissants and most packaged breakfast cereals. Insulin spikes occur when your body has a build-up of glucose in the bloodstream; MCT helps to maintain these insulin spikes and blood sugar levels which is highly beneficial when trying to settle down before going to bed, giving you a better quality of sleep.


5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a compound made naturally in the body which helps the body produce more serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood and sleep-wake cycles. It can be effective in improving mood and easing symptoms of stress and anxiousness which can interfere with sleep. 5-HTP has also been recognized as important to appetite regulation. Keeping serotonin levels from dipping can help keep appetite in check and may help reduce cravings for carbohydrates.


Melatonin is a hormone your body produces naturally that signals your brain that it’s time to sleep. According to the National Library of Medicine, melatonin may improve overall sleep quality in individuals suffering from sleep disorders. Specifically, melatonin appears to reduce the time people need to fall asleep and increase the total amount of sleep time.


Valerian Root is an herb native to Europe and parts of Asia, but also grows in North America. Its root is commonly used medicinally as a natural treatment for symptoms of anxiety, depression, menopause, nervous tension and insomnia. 

We put this in combination with

Kombu Kelp which are large brown algae seaweeds that make up the order Laminariales. There are about 30 different classifications of these seaweeds. Kelp grows in "underwater forests" in shallow oceans, and is thought to have appeared in the Miocene, 5 to 23 million years ago. Kelp and other species of seaweed are rich in polysaccharides which support the essential building blocks for the body. Seaweed also contains Iodine, which is an element that is needed for the production of thyroid hormones. These hormones control the body's metabolism and many other important functions. The body does not make iodine, so it is an essential part of your diet.


CENALGA`s Sandman Tincture is an alcohol free sleep support formula that encourages deep and restful sleep with safe, natural ingredients.