Sleep Terrors
Sleep terrors are a type of parasomnia (abnormal sleep behavior) characterized by intense fits of screaming, crying, and intense fear while not fully awake. Sleep terrors are most common in children, and they generally outgrow the condition by adolescence.
Quick Answer
What it is
Sleep terrors are a type of parasomnia (abnormal sleep behavior) characterized by intense fits of screaming, crying, and intense fear while not fully awake. Sleep terrors are most common in children, and they generally outgrow the condition by adolescence.
Key findings
- Grade C: Sleep Terror Frequency (5-HTP)
Safety
No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.
ℹ️ Quick Facts
Quick Facts: Sleep Terrors
- Supplements Studied:1
- Research Trials:1
- Total Participants:45
- Top Supplement:5-HTP (C)
Evidence-Based Protocol
Supplement stack ranked by research quality
Primary Stack (Tier 1)
Supports nervous system relaxation and sleep quality
Supporting Stack (Tier 2)
Deficiency linked to sleep disturbances in children
May help regulate sleep architecture; used cautiously in children
Promotes relaxation without sedation; may improve sleep quality
How It Works
Sleep terrors (night terrors) are episodes of screaming, intense fear, and thrashing during sleep. They're most common in children and usually outgrown by adolescence.
KEY FEATURES:
COMMON IN:
TRIGGERS:
MANAGEMENT:
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR:
* Adequate sleep is most important intervention.
* Magnesium may support sleep quality.
* Most children outgrow sleep terrors.
Expected timeline: Most children outgrow sleep terrors by adolescence. Ensuring adequate sleep often reduces frequency within weeks.
Supplements for Sleep Terrors
Sorted by strength of evidence
Detailed Outcomes
Research Citations (9)
Related Conditions
Weight Loss & Maintenance
1 shared supplement · 433 outcomes
This goal refers to people with a BMI >25 attempting to reach/maintain their ideal weight. While interventions that work for people with a BMI >25 may also work for people with a lower BMI, the context is often sufficiently different that this isn't assured.
Type 2 Diabetes
1 shared supplement · 868 outcomes
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a disease in which blood glucose levels are too high. It is characterized by insulin resistance in muscle, fat, and pancreas cells and an inability of the pancreas to manufacture enough insulin to control blood glucose levels. T2D is strongly associated with excess body fat, and weight loss induced by lifestyle changes is extremely effective for treating T2D.
Parkinson's Disease
1 shared supplement · 18 outcomes
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease caused by progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Symptoms are mild at first, but progress over time, leading to impaired movement as well as other neurocognitive and psychiatric symptoms like depression, dementia, bowel and bladder problems, and difficulty sleeping.
Panic Disorder
1 shared supplement · 3 outcomes
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks.
Obesity
1 shared supplement · 525 outcomes
Obesity is a condition of excessive body fat that increases the risk for other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Fat is how the body stores extra calories that were eaten but not used. Obesity treatment usually involves restricting the calories eaten or creating a negative calorie balance.
Depression
1 shared supplement · 98 outcomes
Depression is a chronic state of low mood often associated with hopelessness, apathy, and fatigue. Unlike sadness, depression is a disorder that persists for weeks or months and interferes with daily life.