I tried taking Valerian root for anxiety yesterday evening. I took 225 mg twice. The last dose was at 9 PM. I also took my usual sleeping meds which is 50 mg of Trazodone. I don't think I slept more than 2.5 hours. And I had been sleeping good for a week or so now. The only thing I did different was take Valerian root. Is this stuff know to cause insomnia? I needed to get sleep last night. I was supposed to have a busy day. Scratch that idea.
Does Valerian Root Cause Insomnia?
Question posted by Thor283 on 28 Jan 2012
Last updated on 17 June 2018 by Jinnesa Arnejo
7 Answers
Jinnesa Arnejo
17 June 2018
I have sleep problem,i can't sleep tight,so I try taking valerian 500mg but it cause sleepless, but it cure my anxiety
kadamay21
29 May 2017
I have adverse reactions to any prescription sleeping medications which means no sleep if I take those. I also cannot sleep when I try to take Valarian root blend or 100% so to me it's just working adversely and keeping me up like some Rx meds I was prescribed and was shocked they do the opposite of what are supposed to do. Also I take Valarian as directed and only around bedtime so it's just my bodies reaction to these type of supplements and I'm guessing yours too.
Ageranger361
18 Jan 2014
Valerian Root is best used on a consistent basis so that it has a chance to effectively saturate your system. You should load your system at the beginning of the month, maintain it throughout the month, then wash your system out at the end of the month by not taking it for 3-5 days.
Trazodone is an anti-anxiety medication that is used to help go to sleep as well. 50mg is on the moderate side dosage wise. You should never take more than prescribed as it can cause vein induced priapism if taken in too large a dose. In layman's terms this means you could have your penis amputated.
I used to take it but sought out a different medication due to the side effects (headaches and grogginess). I'm now on a 25-50mg daily dosage of amitriptyline. It is an anxiety medication that eases migraines and sleeplessness. I also take 25-50mg of Benadryl with it at night to help go to sleep.
I have PTSD brought on by combat action in Afghanistan in the USAFR. The current combination has been very effective.
billuppity
31 Dec 2013
I had exactly the same response. I have since gone back to the one and only med that gives me any sleep - Xanax. My insomnia is untreatable with conventional sleeping meds. Find a good doctor that's willing to work first you to find the best alternative. Herbal supplement are only effective for the mildest forms of insomnia. Its best to leave in the hands of a competent physician. Good luck. Hope your search ends soon and your able to get some z's.
seewuh
21 March 2013
Sorry for the awfully late reply, but I had the exact same problem after taking valerian root. At first, I took 500mg, then another 500mg when the first dose didn't work. I had a hard time falling asleep, slept poorly, and didn't sleep for very long. My blood pressure also seemed to increase for a few hours after taking it.
Things like this have happened to me before where I took a drug or herb that was supposed to do one thing, and it did the opposite. Perhaps you and I are biologically similar.
Thor283
28 May 2013
I don't know. But my guess is that's what in those capsules isn't Valerian at all. It's probably something mixed with Cocoa. Anyway, that was a long time ago. I finally found a Doc to treat me for my anxiety.
Thank you.
ganae8
23 Nov 2013
I have the same problem when I take around 500mg of valerian.I have done this a few times and every time it causes my heart to race and gives me horrible anxiety and shakes. It has been shown to effect the heart and liver, and I know I can't drink alcohol or caffeine because of the effects on my liver, seems to trigger anxiety in me. So you're not alone.
lady from T.O.
29 Jan 2012
Hey Thor,
You're the first person I have heard who's had that effect. Aren't you thrilled? NOT!
What about melatonin? I know you are more used to the benzo family than just herbal supplements. Like me, I find most of these a joke-I've just been using the REAL stuff too long.
Back to you ~ IF you want to try again, take less and take it with a nice relaxing tea while you're taking a nice hot bath-then go straight to bed. DO NOT PASS GO-straight to bed, no lights on, nothing! Maybe, just maybe the combination of this might bring a few hours of shut eye. I hope so for you!
Thor283
29 Jan 2012
Yep, this is exactly why I don't take herbs. I never knew Valerian root smelled like Cocoa. Maybe that's what it is. I bet a few of these could make a great cup of hot chocolate. And that's something that would keep a person awake.
As much as I'm sometimes down on the FDA, I prefer taking something FDA regulated. I checked the label on the bottle, it's supposed to be just Valerian, no caffeine or chocolate.
I also prefer the real things. For me to have wasted $10 on an herb you know I have severe anxiety. Otherwise I would have never bought these things. I don't plan on trying them again.
Inactive
29 Jan 2012
Hi Thor, I've a Melatonin Valerian mix capsule and it most definitely does NOT smell like cocoa. Can you take it back to the store where you bought it and get a different brand?
I hope you get some sleep, and soon.
Lara
Thor283
29 Jan 2012
So that settles it. That stuff is not Valerian. That pharmacy does me many favors. Making an issue out of this would be seen as petty. At least it was a half price sale.
But once again, this is why I don't use herbs.
Inactive
30 Jan 2012
Thor, here is a giggle... Don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff! (anything to get you to crack a smile or laugh my friend!!)
LaurieShay
28 Jan 2012
Valerian root is known to be sedative unless taken in too high a dose which can cause giddiness. Might you have over done it a bit?
jk13
28 Jan 2012
I have not heard of this before, but I guess that it would make sense given the situation. I would also imagine that this herb would effect different people in different ways. I'm assuming that it's 100% Valerian. It however is extremely common for it to be mixed with other supplements, even when advertised as a Valerian supplement. Just a thought.
Well, another thought would be that if you find it stimulating, you might want to give it a try during the daytime, of course assuming that you want to give it another go. The stimulating effect doesn't make sense to me as it acts in the same way as do benzos, affecting the gaba.
If I find information that more clearly explains what happened and why, I'll make a follow up comment. My experience with the herbs labeling is that a person can increase the dose for more effect. Also as I mentioned earlier, this herb is commonly utilized as a sleeping pill. 500mg if memory serves me right is more or less a standard dosage.
Sorry for the sleepless night!
Sincerely,
Jeff K
Christie00
28 Jan 2012
All I know is some herbs mixed with meds don't do what they are suppose to do. So I personally stay away from anything herbal while I taking script meds, that are for sleep.
Thor283
29 Jan 2012
How could I have over done it. The caps are supposed to have 450 mg each. I took 1/2 the capsule 2 times.
jk13
29 Jan 2012
As I had mentioned before, 500mg is more or less an average dose, and while looking up info for my post below, the average dose ranges from 1gram to 10 grams. You took an amount right in the middle. I'm willing to make a bet that if you had taken another 500mg that it would have put you to sleep, but then again with the reaction that you had, it might not be the best idea. Is there any chance that you might have been nervous about taking the supplement, waiting for it to do something, sort of getting all anxious in anticipation? Just a thought...
Thor283
29 Jan 2012
No, I wasn't nervous taking it. But I was damn curious why it smelled like chocolate. You seem to be familiar with Valerian root, does it smell like chocolate? It's a very popular brand. I don't know if it's permissible for me to name the brand. I take Vitamins by this company, and they seem fine. I'm thinking that somehow chocolate was put in those capsules. About 15 years ago I had spray in the mouth vitamins, and one was to help you quit smoking. It had a lot of Valerian in it. I remember that spray did nothing or if anything it made me drowsy.
Have you noticed all the products the FDA is calling back lately? Many have foreign ingredients in the bottles. I bet these pills are full of Cocoa. That's what they smell like. Is Valerian supposed to smell like Cocoa?
Inactive
29 Jan 2012
Thor my dear,
Any Valerian root I ever took did NOT smell or taste anything like chocolate (or I would have been eating the heck outta it... chocoholic here ;-)). And to the best of my recollection, long term memory not effected by ECT, did absolutely nothing to me. So darling, that's all I have to add to that question.
But I slept like a rockafter taking Robaxin all day yesterday... thank you "Oh Mighty One", no RLS.
Hope you find an answer to your insomnia problem, I hate insomnia.
Love Always Bro,
The Sweetest Lovable Hippie
jk13
29 Jan 2012
Coaco has become popular as of late due to its natural component of PEA, a stimulant. Valerian does not smell like chocolate, but does have a very distinct odor that is hard to describe.
Inactive
29 Jan 2012
You are exactly right jk... actually I used to givea small amount to my terrier when she got scared and shook uncontrollably.
Hipster
jk13
29 Jan 2012
It's interesting to see so many medications utilized on people also used on animals, tramadol being one of the many. On another very unhelpfull note, cats reaction to valerian is strangely similar to that of catnip. Before I ever became aware of valerian, my cats would climb up into our cabnets, take out the celestial seasons tea named sleepy time, and tear up the tea bags distributed evenly throughout our apartment. Turns out to contain the herb in that particular tea.
DzooBaby
30 Jan 2012
Valerian stinks like sweaty gym socks left in a gym bag for days! It is a strong, pungent, stinky smell, not pleasant at all! Nothing like chocolate or could even be mistaken for chocolate. Herbs are not regulated in this country and can be contaminated with all kinds of fillers. You have to be very careful. If I buy herbs, I buy ones that say standardized because they have to contain what they say they contain to be labelled standardized. If you just buy Valarian, it could be any part of the plant, not just the root and may not have any of the active ingredient. Be sure you buy standardized herbs.
DzooBaby
30 Jan 2012
Also, I want to add that the effects of Valarian are pretty mild. If you are not used to strong meds they will put you to sleep easier than if you are used to stronger sleepers. It doesnt work like a strong sleeper. I have actually found that Valarain works better for me if I add a couple of Benedryl but if you feel stimulated from the Valarian, I wouldnt recommend this, as the Benedryl can sometimes cause paradoxical stimulation and could make you worse than ever!!
Monkey614
28 May 2013
Has anyone had any hair loss?
LaurieShay
28 May 2013
I doubt the culprit is Valerian, but it can be indicative of a thyroid imbalance.
Aurora_August_MH
19 Jan 2018
Valerian is known to be stimulating to a small percentage of the population (around 10%). If this is you then you need to find a different herb to help with insomnia. Hops (Humulus lupulus) is a good alternative. Or Withania (Withania somnifera), especially if your sleeplessness is associated with stress.
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valerian root, anxiety, insomnia
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