Trazodone
Trazodone is a serotonin antagonist & reuptake inhibitor (SARI) primarily prescribed for depression & widely used off-label for insomnia, with evidence supporting improvements in sleep architecture & depressive symptoms.
Evidence last reviewed: 05 Apr 2026
Not a routine supplement — not recommended for self-directed use.
Information here is educational only, not a recommendation to use. See our Safety page.
Evidence is from research or clinical settings — does not imply safety outside supervised contexts.
Trazodone has moderate evidence supporting its effectiveness for sleep quality improvement and depression symptom reduction. However, its tolerability can be a concern, and the evidence for its use in PTSD-related nightmares is limited.
Depression symptom reductionAdults with major depressive disorder · Systematic reviewModerate
Trazodone was found to be more effective than placebo in reducing symptoms of major depressive disorder.
Sleep quality improvementAdults with insomnia · Systematic reviewModerate
Trazodone was effective in improving sleep quality compared to placebo.
Insomnia treatment efficacyAdults with insomnia · Systematic reviewModerate
Trazodone was found to be effective in the acute treatment of insomnia, though associated with poor tolerability.
Nightmare reduction in PTSDAdults with PTSD · Systematic reviewLow
Trazodone was used in the pharmacological management of nightmares associated with PTSD.