Anesthesiologists know how to knock you out in an instant, but one has come up with a more “natural” way to do it on a nightly basis.
Dr. David Mahjoubi, a board-certified anesthesiologist, used his expertise — including as a doc at a ketamine clinic — to formulate Sleepinox’s Natural Sleep Supplement, which promises not only to improve your sleep but to strengthen your immune system and enhance your cognitive function, too.
“Being the medical director and owner of the Ketamine Healing Clinic of Los Angeles & Orange County, I have a lot of patients who I treat for anxiety and depression,” Mahjoubi told The Post on Wednesday.
“I have patients who are on prescription-strength psychotropic medications like Ambien … things that, over time, over the long run, are not super healthy for the brain,” he continued. “After I saw patients on these substances, I decided I needed to create something that was natural and effective.”
Mahjoubi launched Sleepinox about three years ago and introduced a new formula earlier this year.
What’s in it?
The new version contains magnesium glycinate instead of magnesium oxide and higher concentrations of valerian root and ashwagandha, Mahjoubi said. Sleepinox also boasts borage oil and L-theanine.
Magnesium glycinate — a combination of magnesium, a mineral known for its relaxing properties, and glycine, an amino acid that helps regulate mood — is supposed to calm the nervous system and encourage deep rest.
Valerian root has been touted as an herbal insomnia treatment since the times of ancient Greece and Rome, while ashwagandha has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety.
Borage oil, which stems from the seeds of the Borago officinalis plant, has been used to combat anxiety and inflammation. And finally, L-theanine is said to help ease anxiety, stress and insomnia.
Sleepy time, hold the melatonin
Mahjoubi said his organic and vegan capsules don’t contain melatonin because it can lead to depression and “morning brain fog.” He reports that Sleepinox won’t cause morning drowsiness or dependency.
“I had people taking 10 milligrams of Ambien every night,” he told The Post. “Now, many of those patients take 2.5 milligrams of Ambien with two of my sleep [capsules], and they wake up more refreshed.”
A bottle of Sleepinox, which is made in a natural vitamin laboratory in Florida, contains 90 capsules and sells for $45. Mahjoubi suggests two or three capsules before bedtime to treat mild to moderate insomnia and three capsules before bedtime for moderate to severe insomnia.
A fourth capsule may be taken if insomnia persists. You should consult a physician before taking Sleepinox if you’re taking other medication.
The new formulation of Sleepinox comes as 12% of Americans report being diagnosed with chronic insomnia.
The sleep aids market — which includes herbal remedies and melatonin products but not prescription sleep medicine — generated more than $5.2 billion in worldwide revenue this year, according to data from Statista. The industry is expected to grow nearly 5% annually.
Supplements for sleep and other conditions are not regulated as strictly as prescription drugs by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Mahjoubi, who also co-created a prescription-based rapamycin antiaging cream and a natural testosterone booster, plans to develop a liquid version of his sleep supplement. He expects it to launch at the end of 2025.
