Title: Is Magnolia Bark the Missing Link for Your Sleep and Health? | Psychology Today
Headings: Is Magnolia Bark the Missing Link for Your Sleep and Health?
Michael J Breus Ph.D.
Is Magnolia Bark the Missing Link for Your Sleep and Health?
Magnolia can soothe, calm, and de-stress.
THE BASICS

Content: I’ve seen magnolia bark work effectively as a sleep promoter. That’s thanks to its ability to relax the mind and body, and to ease anxiety. It’s also thanks to magnolia bark’s power to increase GABA activity. GABA is important for sleep, and people with reduced GABA activity are prone to insomnia and other sleep problems. Research shows at least one bioactive compound in magnolia bark can increase the amount of time you spend in both REM sleep and NREM sleep, and reduce the time it takes you to fall asleep. Magnolia’s ability to lower levels of the alertness-producing hormone adrenaline may also make it an effective natural sleep aid for people who tend to be wired or stressed. Stress and anxiety. Magnolia bark has a centuries-long history in traditional medicine as a stress-reliever and anxiety-soother. Magnolia’s GABA-boosting ability is one reason why. ( GABA isn’t only important to sleep—healthy GABA activity is also important for mood.)