What Is Melatonin and What Does It Do?
شارك
Melatonin is often called the "sleep hormone", and for good reason. It plays a central role in telling your body when it is time to rest. In this guide, we explain what melatonin is, what it does, and how a melatonin supplement can help you get your sleep rhythm back on track.
What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone that your body makes naturally. It is produced mainly by the pineal gland, a small gland in the brain. Your body releases more melatonin when it gets dark in the evening and less when it gets light in the morning. This daily rise and fall is part of your body clock, also called your circadian rhythm.
What does melatonin do?
Melatonin doesn't knock you out like a sedative. Instead, it works as a signal: when melatonin levels rise in the evening, your body gets the message that night has come and it is time to wind down. In this way, melatonin helps keep your sleep-wake cycle running on time.
Sometimes that natural rhythm gets thrown off, for example by:
- Travelling across time zones
- Late nights and changing schedules
- Shift work
- Evenings spent in front of bright screens
That is where a melatonin supplement can help.
How melatonin supplements help
A melatonin supplement gives your body an extra source of the same hormone it makes naturally. The Health Canada-authorised labels of the products we sell describe benefits such as:
- Helping to reset the body's sleep-wake cycle
- Helping to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep
- Helping to increase total sleep time
- Helping to prevent or reduce the effects of jet lag
A natural way to support your sleep rhythm
Because melatonin works with your body clock rather than against it, many people see it as a natural way to support healthy sleep. Leading brands such as Jamieson and Webber Naturals describe their melatonin as a natural, non-habit-forming sleep aid.
Melatonin is also typically used for a set period of time, for example to get back into a good routine after travel or a change of schedule, helping your body find its natural rhythm again. The labels of our products recommend speaking to a health care practitioner if you would like to use it for longer than 4 weeks.
Which melatonin is right for you?
Melatonin supplements come in several strengths and formats:
- Strengths from 1mg to 10mg. Our melatonin dosage guide explains the differences.
- Quick-dissolve tablets that melt under the tongue, like our best seller, Webber Naturals Melatonin 5mg Easy Dissolve.
- Dual action tablets that release melatonin in two stages, like Adrien Gagnon 10mg Dual Action.
- Gummies, like Nature's Bounty Melatonin Gummies.
- Liquid with a dropper, like Adrien Gagnon Liquid Melatonin 3mg.
Curious about timing? Read how long melatonin takes to work.
Tips for a healthy sleep routine
- Keep a regular bedtime, even at weekends.
- Dim the lights in the evening to let your natural melatonin rise.
- Put screens away before bed.
- Get daylight in the morning to help set your body clock.
Frequently asked questions
Is melatonin natural?
Melatonin is a hormone your body produces naturally. Supplements provide an extra source of the same hormone.
Is melatonin habit-forming?
Brands such as Jamieson and Webber Naturals describe their melatonin as non-habit forming.
When should I take melatonin?
Most of our product labels recommend taking it at or shortly before bedtime. Always follow the label of the product you choose.
Which strength should I choose?
See our melatonin dosage guide, and ask your doctor or pharmacist which strength suits you.
Shop melatonin
Explore melatonin from trusted Canadian brands, from 1mg to 10mg, in tablets, gummies and liquid.
Browse our melatonin collection →
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always read the label and follow its directions, and speak to a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take other medications or have a medical condition.