Huberman Sleep Stack vs. Thirdzy Sleep Supplement Ingredients

If you’ve researched sleep supplements, you likely already know there are a lot of options out there. Melatonin (and melatonin free sleep aids), magnesium powder, GABA supplements … the list goes on and can make a person’s head spin. 

Maybe that’s why so many people have turned to Dr. Andrew Huberman, a trusted voice in the health space. He started sharing his sleep supplement recommendations in 2021, one year after Thirdzy’s Chief Science Officer and co-founder, Dr. Justine Luchini, started working on our own formulation.

So, what are Huberman’s recommendations, and how do they compare to Thirdzy’s Rest & Recover Collagen sleep supplement? We’ll help you do a side-by-side. But first, some background information.

Who Is Dr. Andrew Huberman?

Dr. Andrew Huberman is a tenured professor in the Department of Neurobiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. He’s gained widespread recognition for his research on brain development, brain plasticity, and neural regeneration and repair. He’s also become a respected authority in the sleep health space.

In January 2021, Huberman launched a podcast called Huberman Lab, which has gone on to become one of the most popular podcasts globally. (We highly encourage you to give it a listen!) On his podcast, Huberman covers all sorts of health-related topics in great detail, drawing on his deep expertise and the latest scientific research. Needless to say, people really trust his advice.

Origins of the Dr. Huberman Sleep Stack

Huberman has a fascination with sleep: Out of his first five podcast episodes, four of them were dedicated to sleep. He went DEEP into the physiology of sleep, light exposure, melatonin, dreaming, jet lag, sleep hygiene, and sleep supplements. And he gave detailed recommendations for supplementation, which he and others often refer to as a “sleep stack.”

What’s a Sleep Stack?

The term sleep stack usually refers to a combination of supplements a person takes to maintain or improve their sleep. This might include supplements designed to help them fall asleep, stay asleep, or enhance the quality of their sleep. 

The Huberman Sleep Stack vs. Thirdzy’s Sleep Aid

Here, we’ll provide a full breakdown of Huberman’s recommendations and show you how the formula for Thirdzy’s Rest & Recover Collagen stacks up by comparison. TLDR: They're almost identical.

1. Magnesium

Huberman recommends: Magnesium, particularly magnesium threonate or bisglycinate as the best form of magnesium for crossing the brain-blood barrier, to promote relaxation and sleep. 

Huberman’s recommended dose: 145 mg magnesium threonate or 200 mg magnesium bisglycinate.

Thirdzy’s formula: Contains 250 mg of magnesium bisglycinate per serving, aligning with Dr. Huberman’s advice.

2. L-Theanine

Huberman recommends: Theanine for its calming and anti-anxiety effects. 

Huberman’s recommended dose: 100-400 mg. **Advises against use for people who have night terrors or sleepwalk.

Thirdzy's formula: Includes 200 mg of L-theanine, falling in the middle of Dr. Huberman's recommended dosage.

3. Glycine

Huberman recommends: Taking glycine several nights per week. A number of studies have shown it to improve multiple markers of sleep quality. 

Huberman’s recommended dose: 2 g (2,000 mg).

Thirdzy's formula: Includes 10 g of collagen peptides. Collagen is ⅓ glycine, so our 10 g provides ~3 g of glycine, offering a generous amount daily. Taking glycine in this form is a more “food-based” approach to getting glycine compared to pure glycine supplementation. Collagen has additional benefits, including joint health, anti-inflammatory properties, and supporting muscle recovery after exercise. 

4. GABA

Huberman recommends: Using GABA several nights per week for its calming effects and potential for improved sleep quality. 

Huberman’s recommended dose: 100 mg.

Thirdzy's formula: Thirdzy goes a step further with a solid 300 mg of GABA in its formula, aiming for a strong calming effect.

5. Apigenin

Huberman recommends: Apigenin, which is an extract from chamomile. However, he cautions against women using apigenin, as research has shown it to have estrogen-suppressing effects. 

Huberman’s recommended dose: 50 mg.

Thirdzy's formula: Does not contain apigenin. We opted to leave out this ingredient in order to have a functional sleep supplement that was appropriate for both men and women to use nightly.

As you can see, our Rest & Recover Collagen has heavy overlap with Dr. Huberman's recommendations — both in the specific ingredients we include and their dosages. We bundle all of these key supplements into a single serving, making it an easy and cost-effective way to support your best sleep and recovery on a nightly basis.

Why Doesn’t Thirdzy Use Melatonin?

Thirdzy’s Rest & Recover Collagen doesn’t include melatonin because scientific evidence suggests that melatonin can affect a person’s sex hormones and metabolic hormones with long-term use. While it’s a common sleep supplement, and many people have found success with it, our goal was to create a product that delivered the maximum number of benefits with no drawbacks. We believe we’ve accomplished that, and we think you’ll agree!

Sleep tight,

Dr. Justine Luchini

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before incorporating new supplements into your routine.