Elk antler (also known as velvet antler) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, velvet antler is considered a tonic for boosting vitality, nourishing the blood, and supporting general health. It is sometimes included in herbal formulations that are prescribed for insomnia or sleep issues, as TCM practitioners may attribute sleep disturbances to deficiencies or imbalances that velvet antler is believed to help correct. However, the use of elk antler specifically for insomnia is not a primary or widely recognized indication even in traditional contexts; it is more valued for its general restorative effects.

Scientifically, there is little to no high-quality evidence supporting elk antler's efficacy for treating insomnia. Most research has focused on its purported effects on athletic performance, joint health, and hormone modulation, not on sleep disorders. No large-scale clinical trials or systematic reviews have established a direct benefit of elk antler supplementation for improving sleep quality or reducing insomnia symptoms. As such, any support for its use in insomnia is based mainly on traditional, anecdotal, or indirect rationale rather than on scientific validation.