Glycine for Insomnia

Q: Does Glycine help with Insomnia?

Based on 36 studies with 483,763 participants, there is strong evidence from multiple clinical trials that Glycine may support Insomnia management. Our evidence grade is A (Strong Evidence).

Q: How much Glycine should I take for Insomnia?

Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 3 g, 1 hour before bed. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.

Q: Are there side effects of Glycine?

Reported side effects may include Nausea, Soft stools, Mild drowsiness. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.

Q: How strong is the evidence for Glycine and Insomnia?

We rate the evidence as Grade A (Strong Evidence). This rating is based on 36 peer-reviewed studies with 483,763 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.

Based on 36 studies (1 meta-analysis, 7 RCTs) with 483,763 total participants. 20/36 studies show positive effects.

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The Bottom Line

Glycine is supported by strong evidence as a supplement that may help improve overall sleep quality, with benefits seen in multiple well-designed clinical trials.

22 out of 36 studies show positive effects, with 6 RCTs and 2 meta-analyses
Glycine may promote sleep by lowering core body temperature, a natural sleep trigger
A 2024 RCT showed collagen peptides (glycine-rich) reduced sleep fragmentation
Large evidence base of over 484,000 participants across all study types

Key Study Findings

basic science

Lactobacillus reuteri E9 Regulates Sleep Disorders Through Its Metabolite GABA.

Dose: Lactobacillus reuteri E9 (dose not specified) vs: Placebo Effect: None < 0.05

systematic review n=451 Double-blind

Effectiveness of Homoeopathic Treatments for Sleep Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review According …

Dose: various homoeopathic remedies (complex homoeopathy, Melissa officinalis 12C, individualised homoeopa vs: Placebo Effect: bruxism: ΔVAS -2.36 vs -1.72; enuresis: median -2.4 nights/week 0.05 (bruxism); < 0.04 (enures

In vitro

The Glycine-Rich Region as a Flexible Molecular Glue Promoting hPrP106-145 Aggregation into β-Sheet Structures.

Dose: None vs: Placebo Effect: None None

basic science

Time-specific study on the efficacy of stems and leaves of Arachis hypogaea L. targeting glycine/serine …

Dose: Arachis hypogaea L. stems and leaves extract vs: Placebo Effect: None None

randomized controlled trial n=13 1 weeks Double-blind

Collagen peptide supplementation before bedtime reduces sleep fragmentation and improves cognitive function in physically active …

Dose: 15 g/day collagen peptides (glycine-rich) consumed 1 hour before bedtime for 7 nights vs: Placebo Effect: None 0.028

animal experimental 3 weeks

Effects of BXSMD on ESR1 and ESR2 expression in CSD female mice.

Dose: None vs: Placebo Effect: None None

Key Statistics

Studies

483763

Participants

↑

Positive

Grade

Referenced Papers

Synergistic Therapeutic Effects of Tetrahydroberberine Combined with Protopanaxadiol on PCPA-Induced Insomnia in Rats: Involvement of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis and Regulation … Other

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) 2026

The Glycine-Rich Region as a Flexible Molecular Glue Promoting hPrP106-145 Aggregation into β-Sheet Structures. Other

Journal of chemical … 2025 3 citations

Effectiveness of Homoeopathic Treatments for Sleep Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review According to the Principles of Evidence-Based … Review

Children (Basel, Switzerland) 2025

Lactobacillus reuteri E9 Regulates Sleep Disorders Through Its Metabolite GABA. Other

Frontiers in bioscience … 2025

Time-specific study on the efficacy of stems and leaves of Arachis hypogaea L. targeting glycine/serine metabolism for insomnia treatment. Other

Journal of pharmaceutical … 2025

Collagen peptide supplementation before bedtime reduces sleep fragmentation and improves cognitive function in physically active males with sleep complaints. RCT

European journal of … 2024 10 citations

Effects of BXSMD on ESR1 and ESR2 expression in CSD female mice. Review

Journal of ethnopharmacology 2024 6 citations

Investigating the shared genetic architecture and causal relationship between pain and neuropsychiatric disorders. Other

Human genetics 2023 17 citations

Sleep disorders and polysomnography findings in patients with autoimmune encephalitis. Other

Neurological sciences : … 2023 9 citations

Sedative-Hypnotic Effects of Glycine max Merr. Extract and Its Active Ingredient Genistein on Electric-Shock-Induced Sleep Disturbances in Rats. Other

International journal of … 2023 8 citations

New hybrids based on benzimidazole and diazepine moieties: design, synthesis, characterization, molecular docking studies and their in vitro interactions with … Other

Journal of biomolecular … 2023 3 citations

Roxadustat treatment for anemia in peritoneal dialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial. RCT

Journal of the … 2022 55 citations

Parkinsonian Syndrome with Frontal Lobe Involvement and Anti-Glycine Receptor Antibodies. Case Report

Brain sciences 2020 12 citations

Metabonomics Study of Ginseng Glycoproteins on Improving Sleep Quality in Mice. Other

BioMed research international 2019 19 citations

Prospective Clinical Trial of Ixazomib, Dexamethasone, and Rituximab as Primary Therapy in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia. Other

Clinical cancer research … 2018 65 citations

A phase 1/2 study of rigosertib in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and MDS progressed to acute myeloid leukemia. Other

Leukemia research 2018 35 citations

A review of effective herbal medicines in controlling menopausal symptoms. Review

Electronic physician 2017 102 citations

Not a single but multiple populations of GABAergic neurons control sleep. Review

Sleep medicine reviews 2017 99 citations

A double-blind randomized study assessing safety and efficacy following one-year adjunctive treatment with bitopertin, a glycine reuptake inhibitor, in Japanese … RCT

BMC psychiatry 2016 26 citations

Use of benzylglycinamide by a HIV-seropositive polysubstance user: The changing pattern of novel psychoactive substance use among youths. Case Report

Addictive behaviors 2016 3 citations

Proteomic Analyses for the Global S-Nitrosylated Proteins in the Brain Tissues of Different Human Prion Diseases. Other

Molecular neurobiology 2016

Gelsemium analgesia and the spinal glycine receptor/allopregnanolone pathway. Review

Fitoterapia 2015 55 citations

Molecular dynamics studies on 3D structures of the hydrophobic region PrP(109-136). Review

Acta biochimica et … 2013 25 citations

The effects of glycine on subjective daytime performance in partially sleep-restricted healthy volunteers. Other

Frontiers in neurology 2012 27 citations

Oral administration of glycine increases extracellular serotonin but not dopamine in the prefrontal cortex of rats. Other

Psychiatry and clinical … 2011 23 citations

A balanced chromosomal translocation disrupting ARHGEF9 is associated with epilepsy, anxiety, aggression, and mental retardation. Case Report

Human mutation 2009 136 citations

Interactions of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids in epithelial target tissues revisited. Review

Steroids 2009 11 citations

Investigation of in vitro iontophoresis facilitated transdermal delivery of glycine. Other

Current drug delivery 2009 1 citations

Suppressive effect of Yokukansan on excessive release of glutamate and aspartate in the hippocampus of zinc-deficient rats. Other

Nutritional neuroscience 2008 73 citations

Human prion disease with a G114V mutation and epidemiological studies in a Chinese family: a case series. Other

Journal of medical … 2008 33 citations

GABA and glycine as neurotransmitters: a brief history. Other

British journal of … 2006 351 citations

Soy isoflavones, lactobacilli, Magnolia bark extract, vitamin D3 and calcium. Controlled clinical study in menopause. RCT

Minerva ginecologica 2006

Steady-state pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of CHF3381, a novel antineuropathic pain agent, in healthy subjects. RCT

British journal of … 2005 3 citations

Insomnia associated with thalamic involvement in E200K Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Case Report

Neurology 2002 56 citations

Folates: supplemental forms and therapeutic applications. Review

Alternative medicine review … 1998 58 citations

Felbamate pharmacology and use in epilepsy. Review

Clinical neuropharmacology 1994 18 citations

Effects of spironolactone on serum and muscle electrolytes in patients on long-term diuretic therapy for congestive heart failure and/or arterial … RCT

European journal of … 1986 22 citations

Dosage & Usage

mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units

Commonly Used Dosages

sleep:: 3 g, 1 hour before bed

Upper limit: Not established; studied up to 9 g/day

Dosages Studied in Research

Dosage	Duration	Effect	N
Lactobacillus reuteri E9 (dose not specified)	--	Positive	--
various homoeopathic remedies (complex homoeopathy, Melissa officinalis 12C, individualised homoeopa	--	Positive	451
None	--	Neutral	--
Arachis hypogaea L. stems and leaves extract	--	Positive	--
15 g/day collagen peptides (glycine-rich) consumed 1 hour before bedtime for 7 nights	1 weeks	Positive	13
None	3 weeks	Positive	--
not applicable	--	Neutral	17
None	--	Mixed	482730

Best taken: 1 hour before bed

Safety & Side Effects

Reported Side Effects

⚠ Nausea
⚠ Soft stools
⚠ Mild drowsiness

Known Interactions

● Clozapine — glycine may reduce effectiveness of this antipsychotic
● Antihypertensives — potential additive blood pressure lowering

Tolerable upper intake: Not established; studied up to 9 g/day

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Glycine help with Insomnia?

Based on 36 studies with 483,763 participants, there is strong evidence from multiple clinical trials that Glycine may support Insomnia management. Our evidence grade is A (Strong Evidence).

How much Glycine should I take for Insomnia?

Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 3 g, 1 hour before bed. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.

Are there side effects of Glycine?

Reported side effects may include Nausea, Soft stools, Mild drowsiness. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.

How strong is the evidence for Glycine and Insomnia?

We rate the evidence as Grade A (Strong Evidence). This rating is based on 36 peer-reviewed studies with 483,763 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.

Related Evidence

Other ingredients for Insomnia

Melatonin A Valerian Root A CBD A Omega-3 Fatty Acids A Tryptophan A Vitamin D A

Glycine for other conditions

Sleep Onset Difficulty D

Quick Verdict

Based on 36 studies (1 meta-analysis, 7 RCTs) with 483,763 total participants. 20/36 studies show positive effects.

Evidence Strength92%

High confidence

Study Breakdown

RCT (6)Meta (0)Other (30)

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FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.