The use of melatonin supplements for improving sleep quality and quantity is growing in popularity, with millions of people taking melatonin sleep aids worldwide. Namely, most bodies release enough melatonin naturally, however, sometimes taking melatonin supplements can be beneficial when combating insomnia or other similar sleep problems.

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone that promotes and supports sleep. It is produced by the pineal gland, which is a very small gland located in the brain. It helps the body feel sleepy and relaxed at night, and alert and fresh in the morning.

Typically, melatonin levels rise in the evening when the sun sets and continue to grow through the night, but then, after sunrise, they reduce. Basically, your melatonin levels depend on the amount of light you get throughout the day.

What are the Benefits of Melatonin Supplements?

In general, people who suffer from occasional insomnia use melatonin. In other words, they sometimes have difficulties falling and/or staying asleep. According to research, melatonin can help insomnia patients fall asleep faster and get better sleep, but not necessarily longer.

Also, melatonin supplements are beneficial in people who suffer from other sleep issues like delayed sleep phase disorder, i.e., cannot fall asleep before 2 a.m. Similarly, people who have sleep work disorder can also find melatonin sleep aids beneficial.

On the other hand, people with serious sleep disorders like narcolepsy, long-term insomnia, or sleep apnea should not rely on melatonin supplementation only. Instead, they should follow their doctors’ instructions and consult before they try melatonin.

Currently, further research is being done to determine whether melatonin is beneficial for the following conditions:

• Cancer
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Nighttime hypertension
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Sleep issues in autistic children

How to Check Melatonin Levels?

Melatonin levels can be checked by doing blood or urine tests, or even a saliva sample. Yet, they differ by age and sex. Here’s what is considered normal melatonin levels:

• Newborns – Newborn babies get melatonin through breast milk.
• Babies – Young babies start their own melatonin production at about 2 to 3 months old.
• Children – Melatonin levels in children rise each year, getting to the highest levels before puberty.
• Puberty – As puberty starts, the levels of melatonin drop gradually until the late teen years.
• After puberty – Women have higher melatonin levels compared to men.
• Middle age – Melatonin levels remain stable, and start to drop at about 40 years old.
• Older adulthood – Melatonin levels in older people drop significantly.

What are the Side Effects of Melatonin Supplements?

Even though melatonin supplements cause fewer side effects when compared to other sleep aids, you might still experience:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Dizziness
• Crankiness
• Headaches
• Stomach issues
• Short-term depression

Furthermore, melatonin sleep aids may cause side effects and issues if used with certain medicines, including:

• Anticoagulants
• Immunosuppressants
• Birth control pills
• Diabetes drugs

Final Thoughts

The use of melatonin, referred to as the sleep hormone, supplements has proven to be beneficial for those who face occasional insomnia, jet lag, delayed sleep phase, or sleep problems related to shift work. But, when it comes to serious sleep disorders like narcolepsy or sleep apnea, melatonin cannot replace standard medical treatment.