Melatonin

Best Melatonin For Sleep & Energy

You’ve likely heard of melatonin for sleep, but did you know that melatonin also has other impressive applications? Indeed, also known as the sleep hormone, melatonin is a naturally occurring molecule that is synthesized by the pineal gland in the brain in response to darkness. Though we do produce the hormone ourselves, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco use can all lower levels inside the body, as can shift work, poor vision, and prolonged use of devices such as laptops and smartphones before bedtime, all of which contribute to deregulating our circadian biological clock and sleep cycles.

When it comes to sports, while melatonin supplementation cannot directly improve athletic performance, it does indirectly improve certain key physiological functions of the body, notably, it helps regulate sleep patterns, reduce pre-competition anxiety, as well helps mitigate stress-related external factors, all of which can affect the body’s production of melatonin (does anyone see a vicious cycle here?!?). This is where melatonin supplementation comes in. Indeed, supplementation has been shown to help increase Human Growth Hormone (HGH), which helps stimulate the growth of muscle tissue and healthy metabolism. In addition, melatonin supplementation has been demonstrated to improve markers of inflammation in muscle tissue and to reduce the peroxidation of lipids, as well as to strengthen the defence mechanisms against oxidative stress induced by intense physical effort.

Melatonin Benefits

• Helps Regulate Sleep-Wake Cycle
• Increases Sleep Quality & Total Sleep Time
• Reverses & Improves Chronic & Acute Inflammation
• Stimulates Production of Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

Why Take Melatonin For Sleep?

Melatonin is currently among the most popular supplements, primarily used as a sleep aid, though many other applications have been studied and shown to offer tremendous potential, notably; antioxidant protection, immune enhancement, healthy cell growth, treatment of menopausal symptoms, cardiovascular protection, treatment of chronic pain, as well as the treatment of tinnitus, bladder dysfunction, and even autism in children. Melatonin has also been studied for its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and protective antioxidant mechanisms.

Best Melatonin Sleep Supplements

Melatonin supplements are widely available in stores and online in several different forms including; capsules, tablets, liquids & sprays, quick-dissolve lozenges, gummies, chewables, and even topical creams. While many different potencies are available, each offering its own dose-specific applications, the most common recommended dosing is somewhere between 1 to 3mg daily, ideally taken 30 minutes before bedtime. Your healthcare practitioner may recommend an alternate dosing schedule based on your particular health needs.

Final Thoughts

Melatonin supplementation has been shown to be safe and effective when used short-term, but ideally one should stick to a lower dose if taken consistently, ideally between 1.5 to 3 mg daily, up to a maximum of 5 mg, as higher doses may interfere with the body's natural production of melatonin, and may also cause vivid dreams and nightmares.