I’ve reviewed several dozen sleep supplements for this site (and for my personal benefit, let’s be real), so it’s a bit surprising I haven’t gotten to one of the Internet’s best-reviewed blends yet. Intra Naturals’ LUNA Sleep Aid is one of the most talked about, broad-ranging sleep and relaxation blends on the market. It’s got a lot of very popular, very common sleep-boosting ingredients, and while the combination isn’t all that surprising, I wasn’t going to assume anything — positive or otherwise — before giving it a fair test.
Read below to see what I found out!
Stated Use
LUNA is made with natural and scientifically backed ingredients which gently ease you to sleep at night time, without any of the uncomfortable and serious side effects of prescription medications. It is also non-habit forming which means you can stop taking it at any time and not experience any dependencies in order to sleep each night.
Take 1 to 2 capsules 30 to 60 minutes before bed with 8 ounces of water or as directed by your health care professional.
Active Ingredients
- Magnesium (as Magnesium Glycinate) – 60 mg
A vital element and important regulator in sleep cycles, magnesium in its various forms is one of the most common sleep supplement ingredients. - L-Theanine – 200 mg
Shown to reduce heart rate and the body’s immune response to stress, this amino acid has also been connected to inducing a feeling of relaxation. - Valerian Root Powder – 150 mg
This fragrant herb has been historically used as a sedative and pain reliever and prescribed by ancient Greek physicians as a treatment for insomnia. - Chamomile Flower Powder – 100 mg
Often used in tea form, chamomile has frequently been used to calm an upset stomach and could help with insomnia and anxiety. - Passionflower Herb Powder – 100 mg
This plant extract helps boost GABA, (as evidenced in this study), helping mitigate both nervousness and insomnia. - Lemon Balm Herb Powder – 100 mg
An herb from the mint family often used as a relaxation-boosting ingredient in sleep supplements. - Hops Flower Powder – 100 mg
In addition to being a flavoring ingredient in beer, hops have also been used to treat anxiety and insomnia. - L-Taurine – 100 mg
A naturally occurring amino acid that’s involved in the production of GABA. - Melatonin – 6 mg
This is one of my go-to sleep enhancers. It helps me fall asleep faster and experience more restful sleep. I especially like melatonin because its effects don’t diminish with repeated use (and studies back up my experience).
Other ingredients: Hypromellose (capsule), brown rice bran powder.
Timing LUNA was pretty easy, as it fit right along with what I’m used to as far as when to take most sleep supplements. I fell asleep quicker than normal and experienced solid nights of sleep when taking this supplement. However, my sleep wasn’t completely uninterrupted, and I did toss and turn a bit, though perhaps slightly less than when not supplementing for relaxation or sleep. While I was expecting — or hoping for — a wave of calm when taking Intra Naturals’ LUNA formula due to its very broad spectrum of ingredients, it didn’t affect my pre or post-sleep mood much at all. I did not, however, feel groggy the morning after taking this supplement despite its relatively large dose of melatonin (which will sometimes do that). However, individual tolerances to this and other ingredients will vary quite a bit.
For me, LUNA was pretty much just a sleep supplement and not a sleep-and-relaxation booster (like New Mood often is).
Pros:
- Helped me fall asleep quicker than normal
- Easy to time and take
- Can be taken as the recommended dose or as just one pill for lighter sleep aid
- Improved overall sleep quality
Cons:
- Sleep was not interrupted or incredibly deep
- May cause some grogginess with less than 8 hours of sleep
The Final Word
LUNA by Intra Naturals has a very broad ingredient list, and it may be a great option for people who aren’t yet sure which compounds best aid their sleep. At the same time, it might also be overkill. Despite improving my overall sleep quality, it didn’t improve my mood or make me feel especially relaxed. I may recommend this to someone who’s new to sleep supplements and is still working to dial in their sleep routine and preferred ingredients.