What are the Benefits of Melatonin?

Sleep is absolutely essential for our well-being! There are a variety of factors that contribute to good sleep, the most important one being the presence of melatonin. So what is melatonin?

It’s a natural hormone secreted by the body to help us fall asleep. That’s why it’s commonly known as the ‘sleep hormone’. The sleep-related benefits of melatonin include improved sleep quality and a well-regulated sleep cycle, making it a popular choice for sleep aids and supplements.

Sleep is absolutely essential for our well-being! There are a variety of factors that contribute to good sleep, the most important one being the presence of melatonin. So what is melatonin?

It’s a natural hormone secreted by the body to help us fall asleep. That’s why it’s commonly known as the ‘sleep hormone’. The sleep-related benefits of melatonin include improved sleep quality and a well-regulated sleep cycle, making it a popular choice for sleep aids and supplements.

Apart from this, melatonin also contributes in many positive ways to your overall health. Let’s take a closer look at this powerful hormone and its benefits.

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness. The pineal gland is a structure in the brain, which contains light-sensitive cells. When the pineal gland senses darkness, it begins secreting melatonin into the bloodstream (1). This is the brain’s way of telling the body to slow down physiological functions and prepare for sleep.

Melatonin secretion reduces as the pineal gland senses light. The gland signals to the body to wake up and become active. In this way, melatonin regulates your body’s natural sleep and wake cycle. This is primarily why it is a common ingredient in sleep aid solutions, such as supplements, gummies, and orally-dissolvable strips.

Alongside the many benefits of melatonin, it is also known to be non-habit forming. This means that your body will not come to rely on melatonin-based sleep aids the way it would on sleeping pills. Melatonin is also generally well-tolerated without causing side effects common to most prescription sleep medications (2).

Uses and effectiveness

Melatonin is commonly known as the ‘sleep hormone’ as it is primarily used to help people regulate their sleep cycles. It is also used to treat sleep disorders, such as insomnia and narcolepsy. Getting good-quality sleep has been linked to improved mood, daytime productivity, energy, and overall health.

However, melatonin is not just a one-trick pony. Among the many health benefits of melatonin are the following:

Reduced jet lag:

Jet lag is a temporary sleep abnormality that affects people travelling across time zones. It can throw off your body’s natural sleep cycle, resulting in symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, indigestion, appetite loss, daytime sleepiness, and loss of focus. Your body can take up to one week to naturally recover from jet lag. However, melatonin supplements help you adapt to the changing time zone faster and more effectively.

If you’re suffering from jet lag, try Setu’s Sleep: Relax Gummies. In addition to melatonin, each delicious gummy contains L-theanine to promote deep relaxation, chamomile extract to reduce anxiety and induce sleep, and passion flower to enhance sleep quality.

Reduced ‘SAD’ness:

Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a mental health condition associated with colder weather. The lack of sunlight during this time can throw off your body’s natural sleep cycle, leading to feelings of depression. Research has shown that melatonin capsules are effective in reducing symptoms of SAD (3).

Setu’s Sleep: Sustain capsules are well-suited to help you deal with seasonal depression. Each capsule contains 5 mg of immediate-release melatonin and 5 mg of prolonged-release melatonin. Regular intake of this supplement will help you reap the benefits of melatonin supplements. This means that the capsules will improve your sleep quality and regulate your sleep-wake cycle.

Improved eye health:

The benefits of melatonin include its rich antioxidant properties. Melatonin can help prevent cell damage and maintain overall eye health. Studies have shown that the hormone can also be used to treat eye conditions caused by inflammation and aging, such as age-related macular degeneration and retinopathy. Additionally, melatonin intake can help prevent glaucoma (4).

Melatonin is also known to provide relief from acid reflux (5). In addition to improving sleep, it is also involved in managing immune function and blood pressure (6).

Dosage

There is no official recommended dosage for melatonin in adults. However, the typical dosage can be anywhere between 0.2 milligrams to 10 milligrams. It is also safe for children in the right quantities.

All of Setu’s sleep products contain no more than 5 mg of melatonin, which is the perfect dosage to help you fall asleep and regulate your snooze cycle. However, if you are new to taking melatonin supplements, it’s best to start with the lowest dose and increase the dosage, as needed. The amount required to feel results may vary from person to person.

If you are taking any of Setu’s sleep products, it is advisable to consume your daily dose one hour before bedtime. Each of our melatonin products also contain other powerful ingredients to help you unwind and relax before bed. As a result, you will find yourself falling asleep faster, staying asleep longer, and feeling well-rested when you wake up.

Safety and side effects

While melatonin is considered safe for both short-term and long-term use, it is best to consider your health before consuming it. If you already take medication for certain health conditions, consult your doctor before incorporating melatonin into your routine. This is because melatonin can interact with certain contraceptives, blood thinners, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and blood pressure medicines.

FAQs

1) How can I improve the quality of my sleep?

In addition to taking Setu’s sleep supplements, create a calming bedtime routine. Taking a warm bubble bath, meditating, reading a book, or spending time with loved ones can help your body prepare for sleep.

2) What factors hinder natural melatonin production?

Many external factors can hinder your body’s natural melatonin production. These include stress, hunger, alcohol, nicotine consumption, and exposure to light before bedtime. Dietary factors can also affect melatonin production (7).

3) Does melatonin have side effects?

There are many different benefits and side effects of melatonin. Overconsumption of melatonin can lead to excessive sleepiness or drowsiness. You can also experience side effects such as irritability, nausea, headaches, and low blood pressure. If you experience any of these side effects, do consult a medical professional.