NutriStack
Valerian Root and Zolpidem, a caution.
Both zolpidem and valerian act on GABA-A receptors. Combined use can cause excessive CNS depression, over-sedation, and next-day impairment.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Valerian Root and Zolpidem
- Pair type
- Caution
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 1 source
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Caution · Moderate evidence
Caution
What is happening. Both zolpidem and valerian act on GABA-A receptors. Combined use can cause excessive CNS depression, over-sedation, and next-day impairment.
Mechanism. Zolpidem selectively binds GABA-A alpha-1 subunit. Valerian's valerenic acid also modulates GABA-A receptors. Combined allosteric modulation produces additive/synergistic CNS depression.
Recommendation. Avoid combining zolpidem with valerian root. If sleep support is needed beyond zolpidem, discuss with your prescriber rather than adding herbal sedatives.
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Valerian Root and Zolpidem are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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