Was It All A Dream? The Science Behind INORA's Natural Sleep & Stress Supplement
If you've been searching for the best natural sleep supplement — one backed by neuroscience, formulated with clinically studied botanicals, and delivered for maximum absorption — Was It All A Dream? by INORA was built for you. This is not a single-ingredient sleep aid. It is a multi-system, synergistic liquid formula designed to calm the nervous system, reduce the mental barriers to sleep, and improve both sleep quality and duration.
- 7 active botanicals & nutrients
- 4+ GABA-pathway ingredients working in synergy
- 1 liquid dose, fast-absorbing format
Why sleep is non-negotiable for your health
Sleep is as essential to survival as food and water. It is the period during which the brain consolidates memory, repairs neuronal tissue, regulates hormones, and resets the immune system. Chronic poor sleep is directly linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, and cognitive decline. And yet for millions of people, achieving consistent, restorative sleep remains elusive.
"Research has shown that chronic poor sleep has a negative impact on almost all aspects of human physiology - worsened heart, brain and lung health, and a less effective immune system. Taking active steps to improve sleep quality is critical." - Dr. Edward Jones, PhD Neuroscience
The root causes of poor sleep are rarely simple. They involve the hypothalamus, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (your body's internal circadian clock), the pineal gland, and a complex orchestra of hormones including melatonin, cortisol, serotonin, and GABA. This is why single-ingredient sleep supplements so often fall short — and why Was It All A Dream? was formulated differently.
The ingredients: what's inside and why it works
Every ingredient in Was It All A Dream? was selected based on its mechanism of action within the human sleep regulation system, its safety profile, and the strength of available evidence. Here is what the science says:
Valerian Root Extract
Certified by the European Medicines Agency for mild nervous tension and sleep disorders. Valerenic acids bind the GABA-A receptor, increasing inhibitory signalling and promoting calm. A 2023 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial confirmed significant sleep quality improvements.
Passionflower Extract
A well-established herbal remedy for stress and anxiety. Acts on GABA-A and GABA-B receptors to reduce nervous system excitation, increase sleep time, and decrease wakefulness. Synergistic with other GABA-pathway botanicals in this formula.
Ecklonia Cava Extract
A rare edible brown algae rich in phlorotannins. Screened as the most active seaweed at the GABA-A BZD receptor — the same receptor targeted by many pharmaceutical sedatives. Shown to induce hypnotic-sedative like effects naturally, with an excellent safety profile.
Lemon Balm Extract
Reduces sleep disturbances and daytime dysfunction. Active components dampen excitatory neuronal signalling via GABA-A receptors. Also shown to relieve stress acutely in human trials — reducing the mental tension that prevents sleep onset.
Montmorency Cherry Extract
A meta-analysis of 8 studies confirmed significant improvements in total sleep time and efficiency. Contains naturally occurring melatonin and procyanidin B-2, which increases tryptophan availability — a direct precursor to sleep-regulating serotonin.
Vitamin E
A powerful antioxidant that protects key brain areas involved in sleep regulation. Clinical studies in women with Chronic Insomnia Disorder show Vitamin E improves sleep quality scores and significantly reduces reliance on pharmaceutical sedatives.
German Chamomile Extract
One of the most widely used natural sleep aids globally. A 2019 meta-analysis concluded chamomile is well-tolerated, safe, and efficacious for sleep quality improvement and generalised anxiety. Associated with improved sleep efficiency and reduced markers of depression.
The synergy effect: why this formula is more than the sum of its parts
What makes Was It All A Dream? uniquely effective as a supplement for stress and sleep is the deliberate multi-pathway approach to sleep regulation. Four of the seven active ingredients — Valerian, Passionflower, Ecklonia Cava, and Lemon Balm — act on the GABA-A receptor, the primary inhibitory signalling pathway in the brain. Their combined action is additive at minimum, and potentially synergistic.
Multi-system sleep support at a glance
This simultaneous multi-system action — targeting the nervous system, circadian hormones, and brain neuroprotection — is what distinguishes Was It All A Dream? from single-ingredient supplements for deep sleep or basic magnesium for sleep formulations.
Why liquid delivery makes this formula more effective
Was It All A Dream? is formulated as a liquid supplement — not a tablet or capsule — for a critical reason: bioavailability. Liquid supplements begin absorbing through the intestinal mucosa almost immediately, with research suggesting 85–90% absorption in approximately 30 seconds. Tablets, by contrast, must be broken down through digestion before absorption can begin, resulting in 10–20% absorption rates and significant delay. For a natural sleep supplement that needs to work with your body's circadian rhythm, timing and absorption rate matter enormously.
Who is Was It All A Dream? for?
This formula is designed for anyone who struggles with getting to sleep, staying asleep, or waking unrefreshed. It is particularly well-suited to those experiencing stress-driven sleep disruption, those looking for a nervous system supplement that addresses both anxiety and sleep simultaneously, and those seeking a pharmaceutical-free, evidence-based alternative to sleeping pills. Because every ingredient has an established safety profile and is well-tolerated, it is suitable for daily use as part of a long-term sleep and recovery routine.
References
- Saper CB, et al. Sleep state switching. Neuron. 2010.
- Szymusiak R, McGinty D. Hypothalamic regulation of sleep and arousal. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2008.
- Hastings MH, et al. Generation of circadian rhythms in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2018.
- Siegel JM. The neurobiology of sleep. Semin Neurol. 2009.
- Leproult R, Van Cauter E. Role of sleep and sleep loss in hormonal release and metabolism. Endocr Dev. 2010.
- Colten HR, Altevogt BM. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation. National Academies Press. 2006.
- Cappuccio FP, et al. Sleep and health consequences. Sleep Med Rev. 2011.
- Shekhar S, et al. Valeriana officinalis improves sleep quality — RCT. J Ethnopharmacol. 2023.
- Bent S, et al. Valerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2006.
- Ngan A, Conduit R. Passionflower tea and sleep. Phytother Res. 2011.
- Losso JN, et al. Montmorency cherry and insomnia. Am J Ther. 2018.
- Howatson G, et al. Montmorency cherry juice, melatonin and sleep. Eur J Nutr. 2012.
- Hieu TH, et al. Chamomile for sleep and anxiety — meta-analysis. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2019.
- Lee S, et al. Ecklonia cava and GABA-A BZD receptor binding. Phytother Res. 2012.
- Cases J, et al. Lemon balm and sleep disturbances. Mediterr J Nutr Metab. 2011.
- Sünram-Lea SI, et al. Vitamin E and chronic insomnia. Nutrients. 2021.
Written by Sofia Macdonald
