Curious if collagen affects your sleep? 

While you may have noticed smoother skin and better joint flexibility, you might wonder if it also impacts your rest. 

In this blog, we'll uncover how collagen interacts with your body and whether it can help you sleep better or leave you feeling drowsy. Keep reading to find out!

Does Collagen Make You Sleepy?

Collagen does not directly make you sleepy. However, its amino acids may promote relaxation and improve sleep quality by supporting joint health and reducing inflammation.

Key Takeaways

• Collagen and Sleep: Collagen itself does not directly make you sleepy, but it may support better sleep quality by promoting relaxation and muscle recovery.
• Glycine and Sleep: The amino acid glycine, found in collagen, has been shown to improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation.
• Collagen’s Role in Recovery: By supporting muscle recovery and reducing inflammation, collagen can help improve overall rest and sleep quality, especially for those who exercise regularly.

What is Collagen and How Does It Work?

Collagen is a type of protein found throughout your body, especially in the skin, bones, muscles, and connective tissues. 

It’s crucial for providing structure and elasticity to your skin, as well as supporting joint health and muscle recovery. 

As you age, your body’s natural collagen production slows down, which can lead to wrinkles, joint discomfort, and other signs of aging.

Collagen is available in supplement form, typically in the form of hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which are easier for the body to absorb. 

People use collagen supplements for a variety of reasons, including improving skin elasticity, joint mobility, and muscle recovery.

But does it have any effect on quality sleep? Let’s explore how collagen may indirectly support better sleep quality.

How Collagen Supplement May Help Improve Sleep

While collagen doesn’t directly make you sleepy, there are certain aspects of collagen that may promote better sleep quality and overall relaxation. 

The secret lies in the amino acid glycine, which is abundant in collagen.

Glycine and Relaxation

One of the most interesting aspects of collagen and sleep is the presence of glycine, an amino acid that plays a role in the body’s relaxation processes. 

Glycine is a key component of collagen, and studies have shown that it can have a positive impact on sleep.

In one study, participants who took glycine before bed reported feeling more relaxed, falling asleep faster, and enjoying deeper sleep. 

Glycine is believed to work by lowering your body’s core temperature, which is essential for inducing sleep. 

It also helps the body relax by reducing levels of norepinephrine, a hormone that keeps you alert and awake.

While glycine alone may not knock you out, it can help create the optimal conditions for a restful night’s sleep. 

If you take collagen, especially in the evening, you may experience these relaxation benefits, potentially improving your sleep quality.

Muscle and Joint Recovery

Collagen is often used to support muscle and joint health. 

By improving recovery after physical activity, collagen helps reduce muscle soreness and inflammation, both of which can disrupt sleep. 

If you’re someone who exercises regularly, especially with high-intensity workouts, your muscles and joints may benefit from the soothing properties of collagen.

When your body is recovering more effectively, it may be able to relax better at night, allowing you to sleep more soundly. 

By reducing aches and pains, collagen can indirectly promote better sleep quality, especially for those who struggle with discomfort that keeps them awake.

Stress Reduction

Collagen has also been linked to stress reduction. 

By supporting your body’s recovery processes and providing nutrients that aid in muscle repair, collagen may help lower stress levels. 

Stress and anxiety are common culprits that interfere with sleep, and by reducing these factors, collagen may support a more restful night.

Moreover, collagen is known to help maintain the integrity of your gut lining, which can help reduce gut-related inflammation. 

Since the gut is strongly linked to mood regulation and stress levels, maintaining a healthy gut with collagen may help you feel more relaxed before bed.

Does Collagen Make You Sleepy?

The short answer is: No, collagen doesn’t directly make you sleepy. 

However, collagen has certain properties, like the amino acid glycine, which can promote relaxation and help you wind down. 

The improved muscle recovery and stress reduction that collagen offers can also lead to a better night’s sleep by addressing factors that may prevent restful sleep, such as soreness, discomfort, or anxiety.

While collagen won’t induce drowsiness on its own, it may indirectly improve sleep quality by creating the right conditions for a restful night. 

If you're struggling with sleep issues, collagen could be a helpful addition to your evening routine, but it’s not a magic pill for sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can collagen make me feel drowsy?

Collagen does not directly cause drowsiness, but the glycine in collagen can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality, helping you wind down before bed.

2. When should I take collagen for better sleep?

Taking collagen 30 minutes to an hour before bed may help you relax and improve your sleep. You can mix it into a warm drink like herbal tea or milk for added comfort.

3. Can collagen help with sleep disorders like insomnia?

While collagen isn’t a cure for insomnia, its ability to promote relaxation and reduce discomfort may help improve sleep quality for people with sleep issues.

Conclusion

Collagen doesn’t directly make you sleepy, but it has a number of properties that can promote relaxation, improve muscle recovery, and support overall health, all of which contribute to better sleep. 

If you’re looking to enhance your sleep quality, collagen could be a helpful addition to your nighttime routine, especially when taken in the evening. 

The amino acid glycine found in collagen can help you unwind, while the overall benefits of collagen on your joints, muscles, and skin may improve your sleep by reducing discomfort and inflammation.

By adding collagen to your daily routine and focusing on consistency, you may enjoy better sleep quality, alongside the many other benefits this supplement has to offer. 

So, if you’ve been wondering whether collagen could help you sleep, it’s worth giving it a try as part of a holistic approach to better rest and overall health.