Medical disclaimer

Sleepmaxx publishes educational content about sleep science and research. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.

Research findings describe averages across groups of people, often in specific populations. They may not apply to you. Evidence ratings describe the strength of research behind a claim, not whether something is right or safe for you personally.

Supplements and medicines

Supplements can interact with medicines and medical conditions, and their legal status, dosing and quality vary between countries. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, particularly if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take prescription medication, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine because of something you have read here.

Tools and calculators

Our calculators use simplified models and published averages. They give rough estimates to help you think about habits, not precise predictions or diagnoses, and they can't account for every factor that affects you.

When to seek help

See a doctor if poor sleep lasts more than a few weeks and affects your daytime life, if someone notices you snoring loudly, stopping breathing or gasping during sleep, if you fall asleep at inappropriate times (especially while driving), or if you have distressing symptoms at night. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact emergency services or a crisis line in your country immediately.

Effective treatments exist for most sleep disorders, including cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which is the recommended first-line treatment for chronic insomnia in many clinical guidelines.