Getting a good night’s sleep can feel like an elusive goal—but what if a single scoop of collagen could help you drift off more easily? Collagen is packed with glycine, an amino acid that’s turning heads in sleep research for its ability to calm the nervous system, lower core body temperature, and support deeper, more restorative rest.
Why Sleep Matters & Glycine’s Role
A good night’s sleep isn’t just a luxury—it’s the foundation for virtually every aspect of health. During sleep, your body cycles through stages (light, deep, and REM), each playing a unique role:
- Deep (slow-wave) sleep helps with cellular repair, immune function, and hormonal balance.
- REM sleep supports memory consolidation, emotional processing, and creativity.
When you don’t get enough of either, you risk mood swings, weakened immunity, and disrupted metabolism that can make it harder to maintain a healthy weight.
Enter glycine: this simple amino acid doubles as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means it helps “turn down the volume” on over-active brain circuits. Here’s what makes it special:
- Neurotransmitter balance: Glycine binds to receptors in the spinal cord and brainstem to calm neural firing, easing you into the initial stages of sleep.
- Thermoregulation: By promoting blood vessel dilation, glycine helps gently lower your core body temperature—a natural signal that it’s time to snooze.
Recent clinical trials have found that a 3-gram dose of glycine about 30–60 minutes before bed can:
- Knock off several minutes from how long it takes you to fall asleep.
- Increase the proportion of deep, restorative slow-wave sleep.
- Improve next-day alertness and overall sleep satisfaction.
By tapping into these dual mechanisms—calming the mind and guiding the body toward its ideal sleep temperature—glycine offers a natural, side-effect-free boost to your nightly rest. Mix in our Unflavored Collagen Peptides and you’ve got a two-for-one ritual that nourishes your joints, skin, and sleep quality all at once.
The Science Behind Glycine & Restorative Sleep
A landmark study from Japan found that participants who took glycine reported feeling more refreshed upon waking, with objective improvements in sleep architecture—more time in deep delta-wave sleep. Glycine appears to work by modulating NMDA receptors and promoting vasodilation, which gently lowers body temperature to trigger drowsiness.
Collagen Peptides: A Convenient Glycine Source
Rather than measuring pure glycine powder, collagen peptides—especially MariGold’s grass-fed, Type I & III Unflavored Collagen Peptides—deliver about 3 grams of glycine in each 10 gram scoop. They dissolve clear and flavor-free, so they’re perfect for any warm or cold drink without altering taste.
Easy Bedtime Blends with MariGold Unflavored Collagen Peptides
1. Cozy Collagen Cocoa
Stir 1 scoop MariGold Collagen into warm unsweetened cocoa (add a touch of allulose or stevia). Top with cinnamon for an extra calming aroma – or try our Hot Cocoa Collagen Peptides! It’s perfect for enjoying hot.
2. Calming Herbal Tonic
Mix MariGold Collagen into chamomile, lavender, or valerian tea. The neutral collagen slips right in, boosting glycine without changing flavor.
3. Golden Milk Glow
Combine MariGold Collagen with unsweetened almond milk, a pinch of turmeric, and a dash of black pepper. Heat gently and sip slowly to wind down.
Transform your nightly routine from restless to restorative by making collagen-boosted glycine a staple of your wind-down ritual. MariGold’s Unflavored Collagen Peptides are sustainably sourced, non-GMO, and free from additives—so all you’re left with is pure, sleep-supporting glycine. Here’s to sweeter dreams and brighter mornings!
Ready to turn your nightly routine into a sleep-supporting ritual?
Grab a bag of MariGold’s Unflavored Collagen Peptides today and start stirring a scoop into your favorite evening drink—because better sleep (and healthier skin, joints, and more) shouldn’t be just a dream.