22-07-2025
Edinburgh GP develops supplement to help stressed insomniacs sleep
A study by Restorez revealed that 65% of people seldom wake up feeling refreshed and recharged, often seeking methods to improve their sleep quality.
An Edinburgh GP has used her professional and personal experiences to develop a ground-breaking supplement aimed at helping people struggling to sleep due to stress.
Dr Clara Doran has been a GP for more than two decades. Ten years ago, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and, after suffering from brain fog, fatigue and anxiety, she realised the significance of lifestyle and nutrition for brain health.
Dr Doran studied sleep medicine at the University of Edinburgh and functional medicine with the Institute of Functional Medicine before founding Noggin The Brain People, focusing on supplements, motivation and education about brain health. The mum-of-one also wrote the book Heads Up - how to look after your brain so it will look after you, filled with practical advice on brain care, reports Surrey Live.
Many people struggle with relaxing and de-stressing enough after a tough day to get a decent night's sleep. A survey by Restorez found that 65% of respondents rarely wake up feeling rejuvenated and energised, leaving them often seeking ways to try and improve their sleep quality.
While many of us have tried and tested strategies to sleep, if the various hacks, tips and tricks fail due to a build-up of anxiety, things can become even more daunting and stressful - causing a frustrating and exhausting cycle. Dr Doran's supplement, Pause from Noggin, is designed to calm the mind, encourage relaxation and aid a restful sleep. It is free from fillers, additives or unnecessary ingredients.
Pause is a part of a range of supplements developed by Dr Doran in collaboration with female nutritionists Dr Charlotte Heald and Shona Wilkinson. It features a unique mix of botanicals, minerals and medicinal mushrooms, chosen specifically for their clinically proven brain-supportive and nootropic properties.
All the ingredients have been researched and clinically tested, offering reassurance that the products will be effective.
The Pause supplement includes key natural ingredients designed to boost brain health and alleviate stress and anxiety, such as the adaptogenic herb Ashwagandha. Originating from India, Ashwagandha is known for its ability to balance body and mind, reduce cortisol levels, enhance GABA receptors, regulate serotonin, and protect the brain from oxidative damage.
The formula also contains lemon balm, l-theanine, hop extract, rhodiola rosea, and lion's mane mushroom. For best results, customers are recommended to take 1-2 capsules with food daily.
However, those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medication should consult their healthcare provider before use, and the product is not meant to replace a varied diet and healthy lifestyle.
Natural supplements have become increasingly popular as a way to tackle stress and encourage better sleep, with shoppers keen to avoid prescription medicatioon. Elsewhere, JSHealth's Calm + De-Stress 60 Tablets, available at Boots for £15.99, are designed to promote calmness and mental wellbeing with a mix of adaptogens, herbs, and vitamins.
Meanwhile, Bach's RESCUE Peaceful Night 30 Capsules cost £18.25 from Holland & Barrett and are vegan-friendly capsules aimed at supporting a peaceful night's sleep.
On Noggins' website, Pause has received high praise with an average 4.9 out of 5-star rating. One pleased customer commented: "I've been taking PAUSE for 3 weeks and already feel much calmer and my sleep is so much better."
Another said: "I've been trying PAUSE for a few weeks and seen a difference. It has helped relax me when I feel anxious and quite stressed throughout the day which then affects my sleep at night. For the first time in years I had a full night's sleep and it's improved my overall mood."
However, the product hasn't worked for everyone, with one reviewer noting: "It didn't seem to work for me."
Still, another user experienced notable benefits, stating: "I've been going through a lot of stress at home and couldn't sleep as a result. I've been taking PAUSE for a week and it has made it easier to shut my worries off when I go to bed and actually get some sleep. I'm now less stressed and anxious when I wake up which is such a relief."
