May Induce Sleep

One of the most common traditional applications of lettuce in Unani medicine was to induce sleep. A depressing molecule was isolated after research on lettuce extracts. When provided to experimental animals, this compound demonstrated potentially considerable sedative effects. According to a 2013 study, the major component(s) responsible for this effect in lettuce is most likely the non-polar agent(s) present in the plant's n-butanol fraction (NBF). Heart rate and ventricular contractions were also reduced. This drug works by inhibiting the excitatory signaling mechanisms of muscle and brain tissues. The sleep effects of lettuce can be likened to those of diazepam.

Several studies have previously demonstrated this advantage. It includes lactucarium, a substance with comparable characteristics and structure to opium. The leaves contain a white, milky material called lactucarium. This chemical relaxes you and improves your sleep quality; but, unlike opium, it has no negative side effects.