Firstly ,’What is melatonin?’
The human body makes use of the naturally occurring hormone melatonin to manage sleep. It is activated by sunlight and darkness, in order that when the sun goes down or you turn the lights off in your house at night, melatonin will be released to cause you to go to sleep.
As more melatonin is made, a person will begin to feel feel drowsy. However, there will be some people who have sleep problems whose bodies do not make enough melatonin naturally to help them fall asleep. Many of these people may find that certain vitamins and supplements intended for sleep can bring positive benefits. This is why the natural sleep aid melatonin has been found to help a lot of people suffering from sleeping difficulties.
A melatonin supplement for sleep problems supplies extra amounts of the hormone to the human body to aid the natural process of sleep. You shouldn’t think of it as being similar to a sleeping pill or other synthetic drug, but rather as a sleep aid. A positive side effect of this potent hormone is that it is an extremely effective anti-oxidant eliminating free-radicals around the body. These anti-oxidants are associated with an improved immune system and are shown to slow down the health related consequences of getting old.
https://www.rd.com/health/conditions/melatonin-for-sleep/
The big question – is it safe?
Supplement for Sleep ProblemsNational food and drug agencies in a number of nations currently categorize melatonin as a food supplement rather than a medicine, however some countries haven’t officially assessed it’s general use or it’s safety. Wherever it’s been evaluated, it’s been found to be relatively safe when used properly in line with the manufacturer’s advice. While working with mechanical equipment or driving a motor vehicle, melatonin shouldn’t be taken beforehand.It should certainly also be avoided by women who are pregnant and expecting a baby.
If contemplating giving to a child, always check with a pharmacist or doctor and study the maker’s directions. Supplementation by melatonin is for the purpose of helping your body’s natural way of causing you to sleep, instead of a medicine that’s forcing the human body to do something it wasn’t made to do. You still need to enable your body to rest and avoid those things that will prevent you trying to get to sleep (e.g. too much caffeine before bed, working late, consuming a large dinner later in the day).
As a supplement for sleep problems, melatonin can in some circumstances help some individuals with sleep issues, however for those who do not have a problem producing melatonin, it is probably not going to make any big difference. It is unlikely to have benefits for those who continue with an unhealthy lifestyle.
