Valerian
From the YapSpan Longevity Wiki · Updated 2026-09-28
Valerian is a flowering plant whose root extract has a long history as a sleep remedy; it is studied for sleep quality and insomnia.
Educational only, not a recommendation to take anything. YapSpan estimates are for reflection and entertainment only. They are not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a prediction of any individual outcome. Check with a doctor before making any medical decision.
Extracts of valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) contain several active constituents, among them valerenic acid and valerenol. Both bind a specific site on GABA-A receptors with nanomolar affinity and enhance the receptor response to GABA across several recombinant receptor types. A single point mutation (N265M) in the beta2 or beta3 subunit strongly reduced this response. In mice, valerenic acid and valerenol reduced anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus maze and light/dark choice test, and the effect of valerenic acid was absent in mice carrying the beta3 N265M mutation, identifying neurons with beta3-containing GABA-A receptors as the main target [1]. This site differs from the benzodiazepine site bound by apigenin.
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YapSpan estimates are for reflection and entertainment only. They are not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a prediction of any individual outcome. Check with a doctor before making any medical decision.