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Best-Rest Formula

Pure Encapsulations
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(89 ratings)
Theanine 50 mg
GABA 300 mg
Valerian 400 mg
Melatonin 1 mg
Product Image
Score76
Standardized valerian, GABA, low-dose melatonin, and several characterized herbs create strong bedtime support. Premium cost and additive drowsiness are the main trade-offs.
How scoring works
Quantity:120 Capsule(s) • (60 servings)
Goals:
Sleep Support
Stress Relief

Score 76

Standardized valerian, GABA, low-dose melatonin, and several characterized herbs create strong bedtime support. Premium cost and additive drowsiness are the main trade-offs.
How scoring works
$66.00($1.10 per serving)
Pure Formulas
$ 66.00
Vitacost
$ 66.00
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Analysis

Valerian extract is supplied at 400 mg and identifies valerenic acid, while GABA reaches 300 mg. Melatonin is held to 1 mg, which may suit users who prefer less than the common multi-milligram serving.

Suntheanine, lemon balm, hops, passionflower, and chamomile add several calming pathways, and multiple extracts identify relevant marker compounds or plant parts. Theanine is only 50 mg, but the wider combination supplies substantial bedtime support.

Two capsules are practical, while the serving cost is high. The formula fits stress-related sleep difficulty for adults who want a broad, lower-melatonin blend and can tolerate combined sedation.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking nighttime sleep support
  • People who want several calming pathways in one formula
  • People who prefer lower-dose melatonin
Best for
  • Bedtime relaxation
  • Sleep-onset support
  • Broad lower-melatonin sleep support

Pros

  • Provides 400 mg valerenic-acid-identified valerian
  • Uses 1 mg melatonin
  • Includes 300 mg GABA
  • Uses branded Suntheanine

Cons

  • Serving cost is high
  • Theanine is limited to 50 mg
  • The long blend may be more sedating than necessary
  • Valerian marker percentage is not shown

Warnings

  • The combined calming ingredients may cause pronounced drowsiness; do not drive after use.
  • Alcohol, sedatives, and other sleep medicines can intensify the formula’s effects.
  • Melatonin can cause next-day grogginess when sleep time is short even at the 1 mg serving.

Nutrient quality

91 Highest impact

Suntheanine, active vitamin B6, and named botanical markers provide strong form quality; gABA and valerian are substantial, while melatonin and theanine are conservative but useful in the blend. The doses are balanced, though combining melatonin with several calming herbs may increase drowsiness; every ingredient directly supports nighttime relaxation or sleep onset; the formula is focused and avoids obvious low-value actives.

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Ingredient transparency

79 High impact

Every listed active has a specific amount; no proprietary blend hides key doses. Specific forms, plant parts, and active markers make the formula easy to assess despite missing marker percentages; serving directions and inactive ingredients are not included in the supplied details.

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Customer satisfaction

65 Moderate impact

The supplied aggregate average is favorable, though no individual feedback is available; the rating sample is moderate, but no individual feedback is supplied. Detailed feedback is absent, so repeated complaints cannot be assessed; real-world fit with the intended purpose remains uncertain.

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Value for money

65 High impact

Premium forms and coherent dosing partly justify the cost; the serving remains expensive despite a substantial multi-ingredient formula. No obvious low-value extras inflate the blend; comparable sleep products may offer lower serving costs with fewer premium forms.

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Goals

Sleep Support
Sleep Support
Impact
Highest effect
A Goal FitA Strength of SupportA CoverageA Formula Quality
Melatonin · 1 mgTheanine · 50 mg

Melatonin, valerian, GABA, and L-theanine combine circadian regulation with nervous-system and botanical relaxation. Most key ingredients are clearly disclosed, and several use characterized forms or marker compounds.

The broad blend remains coherent because its major actives are sleep focused and generally supplied at useful amounts. Combined sedating ingredients may cause pronounced drowsiness, so the serving should not be taken before driving or other alertness-dependent activity.

Study evidence
GABA Supportive 4 studies
Melatonin Supportive 181 studies
Theanine Supportive 8 studies
Valerian Supportive 31 studies
Stress Relief
Stress Relief
Impact
Highest effect
A- Goal FitA Strength of SupportA CoverageA- Formula Quality
GABA · 300 mgVitamin B6 · 3.3 mgTheanine · 50 mg

GABA, branded L-theanine, valerian, and other calming herbs make this a strongly targeted bedtime stress formula. Evidence is strongest for theanine, melatonin's circadian role, and standardized valerian, while oral GABA evidence remains less certain.

Most key actives are disclosed at meaningful amounts and several extracts identify active markers. The multi-pathway design is coherent for stress-related sleep, but combined sedating ingredients can impair alertness and should not be used before driving.

Study evidence
GABA Supportive 6 studies
Melatonin Supportive 21 studies
Theanine Supportive 16 studies
Valerian Supportive 18 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate)
 3.3 mg
Melatonin
1 mg
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
300 mg
Suntheanine (L-Theanine)
 50 mg
Valerian Root Extract (Valerenic Acid)
 400 mg
Lemon Balm Leaf Extract (Rosmarinic Acid)
 150 mg
Hops Aerial Parts Extract
150 mg
Passionflower Aerial Parts Extract (Vitexins)
 100 mg
Chamomile Flower Extract (Matricaria recutita Flower Extract)
 100 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50
Report overview
Theanine (L-Theanine) · 50 mg OverallScore84
A+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA- Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyD+ Value

Suntheanine supplies a branded, high-purity L-theanine source at a mild amount. Substantial valerian, GABA, and other calming ingredients make the formula more useful as a broad sleep blend than as a stand-alone theanine supplement. Theanine-specific cost is high, but the clinically relevant supporting ingredients improve the practical value.

View ingredientView products
GABA · 300 mg OverallScore72
B- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA- Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyD- Value

The GABA amount sits within the preferred range and is clearly disclosed in a sleep-focused blend. Its standard source and capsule delivery are adequate without premium production or absorption features. The serving cost is high for the GABA delivered. Melatonin and multiple calming herbs can increase drowsiness, so the formula should not be taken before driving.

View ingredientView products
Valerian (Valerenic Acid) · 400 mg OverallScore71
B- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyF Value

The named valerenic-acid marker adds useful specificity without confirming standardized strength. The 400 mg extract amount fits the preferred range for nighttime use. Useful dosing does not fully justify the premium while marker strength remains unknown.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
83 Performance

ZenMind

NutriCology
<p>Branded L-theanine and a substantial GABA amount form a focused relaxation stack with fully disclosed doses. Better-defined theanine, GABA, melatonin, valerian, or related calming ingredients improve formulation clarity over the original. Sedation and serotonin-related interactions still require attention when relevant.</p>
79 Performance

Sleep Optimizer

Jarrow Formulas
<p>Valerian, tryptophan, GABA, calming herbs, and low-dose melatonin form a coherent sleep blend. Better-defined theanine, GABA, melatonin, valerian, or related calming ingredients improve formulation clarity over the original. Sedation and serotonin-related interactions still require attention when relevant.</p>
76 Performance

Genius Sleep Aid

The Genius Brand
<p>Low-dose melatonin, theanine, glycine, inositol, and rutaecarpine form a thoughtful sleep blend with conservative circadian support. Better-defined theanine, GABA, melatonin, valerian, or related calming ingredients improve formulation clarity over the original. Sedation and serotonin-related interactions still require attention when relevant.</p>
71 Budget

Sleep Essentials

Swanson
<p>Melatonin carries most of the likely sleep effect because the many supporting actives are lightly dosed. The lower serving cost improves economy while retaining meaningful sleep ingredients. Its narrower blend or different dosing may reduce pathway breadth compared with the original.</p>
85 Budget

3 a.m. Melatonin Fast Dissolve Lavender Vanilla

Natrol
<p>Fast-dissolve melatonin and a modest L-theanine amount create a simple, economical option for sleep onset. The lower serving cost improves economy while retaining meaningful sleep ingredients. Its narrower blend or different dosing may reduce pathway breadth compared with the original.</p>
78 Budget

Sleep

NOW
<p>Substantial valerian, hops, passionflower, and GABA create a focused nighttime calming blend. The lower serving cost improves economy while retaining meaningful sleep ingredients. Its narrower blend or different dosing may reduce pathway breadth compared with the original.</p>
77 Value

Sleep Support

The Vitamin Shoppe
<p>Useful amounts of L-theanine, GABA, melatonin, and 5-HTP create a strong sleep-oriented blend. A lower serving cost and clearly disclosed calming actives improve practical value over the original. The trade-off is a simpler formula or less comprehensive botanical coverage.</p>
74 Value

Chewable GABA

NOW
<p>A substantial GABA amount anchors the calming chewable, while taurine, inositol, and L-theanine provide only modest support. A lower serving cost and clearly disclosed calming actives improve practical value over the original. The trade-off is a simpler formula or less comprehensive botanical coverage.</p>
72 Value

Power to Sleep PM

Irwin Naturals
<p>Valerian, ashwagandha, hops, lemon balm, passionflower, and melatonin create broad nighttime support. A lower serving cost and clearly disclosed calming actives improve practical value over the original. The trade-off is a simpler formula or less comprehensive botanical coverage.</p>
Report alternatives

Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Valerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Bent S; Padula A; Moore D; Patterson M; Mehling W · The American journal of medicine · 2006
    Meta-analysis1,093 participants16 studies pooledSleep Support forValerian
  2. Does valerian work for insomnia? An umbrella review of the evidence.
    Valente V; Machado D; Jorge S; Drake CL; Marques DR · European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2024
    Systematic review8 studies pooledSleep Support forValerian
  3. Safety and Efficacy of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid from Fermented Rice Germ in Patients with Insomnia Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial.
    Byun JI; Shin YY; Chung SE; Shin WC · Journal of clinical neurology (Seoul, Korea) · 2020
    Randomized trial40 participantsSleep Support forGABA
  4. Reduced γ-aminobutyric acid in occipital and anterior cingulate cortices in primary insomnia: a link to major depressive disorder?
    Plante DT; Jensen JE; Schoerning L; Winkelman JW · Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2012
    Case-control study40 participantsSleep Support forGABA
  5. Meta-analysis: melatonin for the treatment of primary sleep disorders.
    Ferracioli-Oda E; Qawasmi A; Bloch MH · PloS one · 2013
    Meta-analysis1,683 participants19 studies pooledSleep Support forMelatonin
  6. Effects of melatonin on postoperative sleep quality: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis.
    Tsukinaga A; Mihara T; Takeshima T; Tomita M; Goto T · Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie · 2023
    Meta-analysis516 participants8 studies pooledSleep Support forMelatonin
  7. The effects of L-theanine consumption on sleep outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Bulman A; D'Cunha NM; Marx W; Turner M; McKune A; Naumovski N · Sleep medicine reviews · 2025
    Meta-analysis897 participants19 studies pooledSleep Support forTheanine
  8. Current Evidence on Common Dietary Supplements for Sleep Quality.
    Esquivel MK; Ghosn B · American journal of lifestyle medicine · 2025
    Narrative reviewSleep Support forTheanine
  9. Effects of Passiflora incarnata and Valeriana officinalis in the control of anxiety due to tooth extraction: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
    Velasquez ACA; Tsuji M; Dos Santos Cordeiro L; Petinati MFP; Rebellato NLB; Sebastiani AM; da Costa DJ; Scariot R · Oral and maxillofacial surgery · 2024
    Randomized trial54 participantsStress Relief forValerian
  10. Valerian for anxiety disorders.
    Miyasaka LS; Atallah AN; Soares BG · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2007
    Systematic review36 participants1 studies pooledStress Relief forValerian
  11. Oral intake of γ-aminobutyric acid affects mood and activities of central nervous system during stressed condition induced by mental tasks.
    Yoto A; Murao S; Motoki M; Yokoyama Y; Horie N; Takeshima K; Masuda K; Kim M; Yokogoshi H · Amino acids · 2012
    Randomized trial63 participantsStress Relief forGABA
  12. GABA Supplementation, Increased Heart-Rate Variability, Emotional Response, Sleep Efficiency and Reduced Depression in Sedentary Overweight Women Undergoing Physical Exercise: Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial.
    Guimarães AP; Seidel H; Pires LVM; Trindade CO; Baleeiro RDS; Souza PM; Silva FGDE; Coelho DB; Becker LK; Oliveira EC · Journal of dietary supplements · 2024
    Randomized trial30 participantsStress Relief Sleep Support forGABA
  13. Exogenous melatonin's effect on salivary cortisol and amylase: A randomized controlled trial.
    Pachimsawat P; Ratanachamnong P; Jantaratnotai N · Pharmacology research & perspectives · 2024
    Randomized trial64 participantsStress Relief forMelatonin
  14. The Biological Clock Influenced by Burnout, Hormonal Dysregulation and Circadian Misalignment: A Systematic Review.
    Ungurianu A; Marina V · Clocks & sleep · 2025
    Systematic review195 participants37 studies pooledStress Relief forMelatonin
  15. Anti-Stress, Behavioural and Magnetoencephalography Effects of an L-Theanine-Based Nutrient Drink: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial.
    White DJ; de Klerk S; Woods W; Gondalia S; Noonan C; Scholey AB · Nutrients · 2016
    Randomized trial34 participantsStress Relief forTheanine
  16. Effect of Combined Ingestion of L-Theanine and L-Arginine for Short-Term Psychological Stress in Young Adults: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study.
    Furushima D; Sugiyama I; Nomura Y; Unno K; Yamada H · Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology · 2023
    Randomized trial120 participantsStress Relief forTheanine
  17. Analysis of the Effects of Known Sleep-Support Supplements in Relation to Life Habits, Sleep Conditions, and Sleep Problems.
    Imafuku F; Yamamoto K; Tanaka E; Aoki R; Nishino S · Nutrients · 2023
    Randomized trial160 participantsSleep Support forGABA
  18. Melatonin treatment for age-related insomnia.
    Zhdanova IV; Wurtman RJ; Regan MM; Taylor JA; Shi JP; Leclair OU · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2001
    Randomized trial30 participantsSleep Support forMelatonin
  19. The Effectiveness of Melatonin for Sleep Disturbances in Parkinson' Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Yousef O; Abouelmagd ME; Khaddam H; Shbani A; Yousef R; Meshref M; Hanafi I · Journal of sleep research · 2026
    Meta-analysis409 participants8 studies pooledSleep Support forMelatonin
  20. Nightly treatment of primary insomnia with prolonged release melatonin for 6 months: a randomized placebo controlled trial on age and endogenous melatonin as predictors of efficacy and safety.
    Wade AG; Ford I; Crawford G; McConnachie A; Nir T; Laudon M; Zisapel N · BMC medicine · 2010
    Randomized trial791 participantsSleep Support forMelatonin
  21. Effects of exogenous melatonin on sleep: a meta-analysis.
    Brzezinski A; Vangel MG; Wurtman RJ; Norrie G; Zhdanova I; Ben-Shushan A; Ford I · Sleep medicine reviews · 2005
    Meta-analysis284 participants8 studies pooledSleep Support forMelatonin
  22. Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Hidese S; Ogawa S; Ota M; Ishida I; Yasukawa Z; Ozeki M; Kunugi H · Nutrients · 2020
    Randomized trial30 participantsSleep Support forTheanine
  23. Comparison Between Efficacy of Oral Melatonin and Oral L-theanine in Improving Sleep in Cancer Patients Suffering From Insomnia: A Randomised Double-blinded Placebo-controlled Study.
    Kurdi MS; As A; Ladhad DA; Mitragotri MV; Baiju A · Indian journal of palliative care · 2024
    Randomized trial120 participantsSleep Support forTheanine
  24. In Search of a Safe Natural Sleep Aid.
    Rao TP; Ozeki M; Juneja LR · Journal of the American College of Nutrition · 2016
    Narrative reviewSleep Support forTheanine
  25. L-theanine in the adjunctive treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.
    Sarris J; Byrne GJ; Cribb L; Oliver G; Murphy J; Macdonald P; Nazareth S; Karamacoska D; Galea S; Short A; Ee C; Birling Y; Menon R; Ng CH · Journal of psychiatric research · 2020
    Randomized trial46 participantsSleep Support forTheanine
  26. Standardized Extract of Valeriana officinalis Improves Overall Sleep Quality in Human Subjects with Sleep Complaints: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study.
    Chandra Shekhar H; Joshua L; Thomas JV · Advances in therapy · 2024
    Randomized trial80 participantsSleep Support Stress Relief forValerian
  27. Comparison the effect of valerian and gabapentin on RLS and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients: A randomized clinical trial.
    Hajizadeh I; Jamshidi M; Kazemi M; Kargar H; Sadeghi T · Therapeutic apheresis and dialysis : official peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy · 2023
    Randomized trial40 participantsSleep Support forValerian
  28. Efficacy and tolerability of valerian extract LI 156 compared with oxazepam in the treatment of non-organic insomnia--a randomized, double-blind, comparative clinical study.
    Ziegler G; Ploch M; Miettinen-Baumann A; Collet W · European journal of medical research · 2003
    Randomized trial202 participantsSleep Support forValerian
  29. Effects of a Valerian-Hops Extract Combination (Ze 91019) on Sleep Duration and Daytime Cognitive and Psychological Parameters in Occasional Insomnia: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial.
    Schicktanz N; Gerhards C; Schlitt T; Aerni A; Müggler E; de Quervain D; Papassotiropoulos A; Boonen G; Drewe J; Butterweck V · Brain and behavior · 2025
    Randomized trial40 participantsSleep Support forValerian
  30. Relieving occupational fatigue by consumption of a beverage containing γ-amino butyric acid.
    Kanehira T; Nakamura Y; Nakamura K; Horie K; Horie N; Furugori K; Sauchi Y; Yokogoshi H · Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology · 2011
    Clinical trial30 participantsStress Relief forGABA
  31. Cortical gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate in posttraumatic stress disorder and their relationships to self-reported sleep quality.
    Meyerhoff DJ; Mon A; Metzler T; Neylan TC · Sleep · 2014
    Case-control study45 participantsStress Relief forGABA
  32. Comparison of the effects of two amino acids, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and L-theanine, on sedation, anxiety, and cognition in preoperative surgical patients - A randomized controlled study.
    Deshpande SS; Kurdi M; Baiju A; Athira AS; Sarasamma AG; Gangadharan AK · Journal of anaesthesiology, clinical pharmacology · 2025
    Randomized trial168 participantsStress Relief forGABA Stress Relief forTheanine
  33. The impact of oral melatonin on pain and anxiety reduction during venipuncture in pediatric patients: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.
    Rahafard S; Akbari Jokar Z; Hosseini SA; Alaee E · Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2024
    Randomized trial202 participantsStress Relief forMelatonin
  34. Comparison of Effects of Melatonin and Gabapentin on Post Operative Anxiety and Pain in Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
    Javaherforooshzadeh F; Amirpour I; Janatmakan F; Soltanzadeh M · Anesthesiology and pain medicine · 2022
    Randomized trial90 participantsStress Relief forMelatonin
  35. Melatonin for pre- and postoperative anxiety in adults.
    Hansen MV; Halladin NL; Rosenberg J; Gögenur I; Møller AM · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2015
    Meta-analysis774 participants12 studies pooledStress Relief forMelatonin
  36. Effects of melatonin intake on depression and anxiety in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
    Demirhan Kayacik A; İlcioglu K · Archives of women's mental health · 2024
    Meta-analysis441 participants5 studies pooledStress Relief forMelatonin
  37. Premedication effect of melatonin on propofol induction dose for anesthesia, anxiety, orientation and sedation after abdominal surgery: a double-blinded randomized trial.
    Norouzi A; Fateh S; Modir H; Kamali A; Akrami L · Medical gas research · 2020
    Randomized trial88 participantsStress Relief forMelatonin
  38. L-theanine relieves positive, activation, and anxiety symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-center study.
    Ritsner MS; Miodownik C; Ratner Y; Shleifer T; Mar M; Pintov L; Lerner V · The Journal of clinical psychiatry · 2011
    Randomized trial60 participantsStress Relief forTheanine
  39. Safety and Efficacy of AlphaWave® L-Theanine Supplementation for 28 Days in Healthy Adults with Moderate Stress: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
    Moulin M; Crowley DC; Xiong L; Guthrie N; Lewis ED · Neurology and therapy · 2024
    Randomized trial30 participantsStress Relief forTheanine
  40. A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study to Investigate the Efficacy of a Single Dose of AlphaWave® L-Theanine on Stress in a Healthy Adult Population.
    Evans M; McDonald AC; Xiong L; Crowley DC; Guthrie N · Neurology and therapy · 2021
    Randomized trialStress Relief forTheanine
  41. Effectiveness and safety of oral sedation in adult patients undergoing dental procedures: a systematic review.
    Araújo JO; Bergamaschi CC; Lopes LC; Guimarães CC; de Andrade NK; Ramacciato JC; Motta RHL · BMJ open · 2021
    Systematic review327 participants12 studies pooledStress Relief forValerian
  42. Effect of kava and valerian on human physiological and psychological responses to mental stress assessed under laboratory conditions.
    Cropley M; Cave Z; Ellis J; Middleton RW · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2002
    Non-randomized trial54 participantsStress Relief forValerian
  43. Stress-induced insomnia treated with kava and valerian: singly and in combination.
    Wheatley D · Human psychopharmacology · 2019
    Single-arm trial24 participantsStress Relief forValerian