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: 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.) Another reason is magnolia’s ability to activate cannabinoid receptors. I wrote recently about the calming, mood-elevating power of cannabinoid compounds, and the body’s own endocannabinoid system. Studies show magnolia bark’s effectiveness as an anxiolytic. One study indicates that one of the active compounds in magnolia bark—honokiol—works as effectively as the drug diazepam to treat anxiety, without the same risks of dependency or side effects. Low mood.