Falling asleep

Molecules in this world 7

• MelatoninC13H16N2O2

  In this everyday world from source

  The body's own nightfall signal, released as it gets dark to say the day is winding down.

  As a pure substance: LD50 3,200 mg/kg (rat, oral) from source

• AdenosineC10H13N5O4

  In this everyday world from source

  The 'time to rest' signal that slowly builds up while you are awake; caffeine works by blocking it.

  As a pure substance: LD50 500 mg/kg (mouse, other) from source

• GABAC4H9NO2

  In this everyday world from source

  The brain's main calm-down messenger, quieting nervous activity so things can settle.

• GlycineC2H5NO2

  In this everyday world from source

  The simplest amino acid, a building block of protein and collagen that also acts as a calming signal in the nervous system.

• SerotoninC10H12N2O

  In this everyday world from source

  A messenger tied to mood and steadiness, and the in-between step your body uses to make the sleep molecule melatonin.

  As a pure substance, its GHS hazard label: signal word Danger; Toxic, Health hazard from source

• TryptophanC11H12N2O2

  In this everyday world from source

  An amino acid from everyday protein foods that your body converts, step by step, into the mood and sleep molecules serotonin and melatonin.

  As a pure substance: LD50 1,634 mg/kg (rat, other) from source

• 5-HydroxytryptophanC11H12N2O3

  In this everyday world from source

  The halfway point as your body turns tryptophan from food into serotonin.

  As a pure substance, its GHS hazard label: signal word Danger; Toxic, Irritant from source