Ranking The Best Melatonin Supplements Of 2021
Wouldnt it be great if you could easily slip into a deep, restful sleep when you go to bed? Melatonin is a supplement that promises just that: an easy, natural, safe, and effective way to improve your sleep length and sleep quality.
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by your body that helps induce sleep, but some people with trouble sleeping have dysregulated melatonin levels. A supplement can help correct this problem.
Here are the best melatonin supplements on the market, ranked. Afterwards, well dive into the details of how melatonin works and what it can do for you.
Research
If youre tired of tossing and turning all night every night, look no further than VitaBalance Nature Sleep.
More than a third of adults in the US dont get enough sleep. Trouble is, lack of sleep does more than hurt your ability to be productive at work. It can cause anxiety, poor memory, heart and blood pressure problems, moodiness, and even weight gain.
Thats why we love Nature Sleep. Its a relaxing blend of melatonin, valerian, and chamomileall known for their sleep-inducing propertiesplus three lesser-known sleep aids: magnesium, goji berry, and lemon balm.
The result?
Your mind can actually relax, letting go of all the days stresses, easing you into a deep sleep, and keeping you there till morning.
So you can wake up refreshed, ready to hit the day running.
All natural. Gluten-free. Manufactured in an FDA-registered facility that follows GMP guidelines.
Melatonin Dosage For Children
Short-term use of melatonin in small doses appears to be safe and well-tolerated by most children. The effective dosage for children ranges from 0.05 milligrams per kilogram to 5 milligrams of melatonin. When children experience side effects from taking melatonin, theyre typically mild and may include:
-
Related Reading
Medical professionals may recommend melatonin for children with conditions that affect their sleep, such as insomnia, autism spectrum disorder, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Several studies have shown melatonin supplements can significantly improve overall sleep times by 25 minutes to 48 minutes, on average, for children with these conditions.
However, there havent been enough studies of melatonin in children for experts to determine an official recommended dosage or any potential long-term safety risks. Since melatonin is a hormone, its possible that taking supplemental melatonin could affect other aspects of hormone development in children, but further research is needed.
If your child is having sleep problems, experts recommend consulting your doctor before giving them melatonin. Research indicates that for half of the cases where melatonin was used to treat pediatric insomnia, better sleep habits were just as effective at relieving the childs sleep problems.
Would I Take It Again
I dont plan on taking Natrol on an endless basis, as I try to sleep without any sleep aids most nights unless Im testing a new one or having a bad patch.
However, I think Natrol is arguably one of the best sleep aids Ive tried over the years. It might not have a knock-out effect, but does seem to stabilize my sleep and gave me no side effects.
Despite choosing to take 10mg for this review, I would drop down to a 1mg dosage next time though. And Id also recommend starting with a lower dosage too, unless you have a valid reason to increase it.
Despite my own positive experience with this dosage of melatonin, its not to say other people dont have side effects or that its appropriate for everybody. I recommend checking carefully that melatonin is right for you, ideally with the advice of a healthcare professional.
Also Check: Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Testosterone Therapy
When To Talk To Your Doctor About Melatonin
To ensure safe usage, it is always a good idea to consult your doctor before taking any over-the-counter sleep aid, including melatonin. They know your personal medical history and can best advise you on the appropriate melatonin dosage for your needs. They will also know whether melatonin might interact with any other medications you may currently be taking.
Certain health conditions and medications may increase your risk of side effects when taking melatonin. If you take any of the following medications, be sure to talk to your doctor before taking melatonin:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Shift workers
The research into melatonins potential benefits and use cases is still evolving, and its long-term effects are still unknown. For many people, melatonin offers mild improvements to sleep problems when used on a short-term basis. For others, it may cause side effects or not impact sleep at all.
If you find your sleep problems persist after trying melatonin, it may be time to talk to a doctor. They can recommend other strategies for improving your sleep, such as better sleep hygiene, changes to diet and exercise, or cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia. They can also evaluate other possible causes for your sleep problems.
- Was this article helpful?
Natrol Is The Leading Supplier Of Melatonin And Our Quality Is Uncompromised
Wouldnt be nice to fall asleep fast and stay asleep all night long? Look no further! Melatonin TR smartly releases melatonin to your body all night long to keep you sleeping like a baby. Natrol Melatonin, the #1 melatonin brand in America, is a nighttime sleep aid that assists with occasional sleeplessness.
Melatonin, a hormone made by the pineal gland of the brain, helps regulate your sleep and wake cycles.
Natrol® Melatonin TR Time Release Melatonin is is combined with Vitamin B6 to help you have a calm rest so that you wake up refreshed the next morning. It helps to establish normal sleep patterns to give you a more restful, relaxing sleep and in turn, better overall health by promoting a healthy immune system.
Adequate sleep is essential to overall health and performance, and plays a role in the ability to learn, create memories, solve problems and maintain a healthy mental outlook. By contrast, researchers have found that lack of sleep can result in mood swings and an inability to focus and respond quickly.
Natrol® Melatonin TR Time Release is combined with Vitamin B6 to help you have a calm rest so that you wake up refreshed the next morning.Natrol® Melatonin is also available in Liquid form.Size/Form: 1 mg/90 TabletsDirections: Take 1 tablet 20 minutes before bedtime. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Advisory information:
Vitamin B-6 10 mg714%
Melatonin TR Time Release FAQs:
Q: Can I become addicted to Melatonin?A: Natrol® Melatonin is non-habit forming.
Don’t Miss: Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Testosterone Therapy
How Does Natrol Melatonin Work
The supplement is designed to promote better sleep in your body with the use of melatonin.
The melatonin should be released and then absorbed into your bloodstream to induce a calming effect.
You should then start to feel relaxed and sleepy.
The ingredient is also capable of slowing your heart rate which can also help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
The supplement works because sometimes external factors such as light, noise, anxieties, stress, and thoughts can intervene with our natural melatonin production.
However, the supplement should be able to overpower those external sources and let our bodies know it is time to sleep.
Does Natrol Melatonin Really Work Or Is It A Scam
We do not believe that Natrol Melatonin is a scam.
However, it does not appear to work as well as many other sleep aids on the market do.
The company markets their product as a single ingredient, non-habit forming, and side-effect-free sleep aid.
While this may seem true, it is still somewhat misleading to the customers.
Melatonin is the only active ingredient but not the only ingredient. While the product itself may not produce side effects, both the active and inactive ingredients come with a list of side effects.
The company has been very honest about the amount of melatonin in the product but not the side effects, which should always be listed even if there is not a high chance they will occur.
With sleep aids on the market that come with more in-depth reviews, we believe you would be better off skipping this supplement and finding something more effective with fewer side effects and inactive ingredients.
4.95
DISCLAIMER:
Don’t Miss: Blue Cross Blue Shield Trt
Natrol Melatonin Advanced Sleep Time Release 10 Mg 60 Tablets
- June 1 2023 Expiration Date
The length of time for the expiration date or “best used before” date depends on the type of product, as well as the brand.
Perishable items generally have shorter expiration dates. Although our warehouse is fully air-conditioned, these more fragile items are put in cold storage for maximum freshness.
Our receiving department does its best to verify and then enter the correct expiration dates for all incoming products. However, discrepancies do occur from time to time. This being said, the exceptionally high turnover at iHerb ensures that our inventory is among the freshest in the industry.
- Date First Available: December 1 2010
- Shipping Weight:Switch to Imperial unitsShipping WeightThe Shipping Weight includes the product, protective packaging material and the actual shipping box. In addition, the Shipping Weight may be adjusted for the Dimensional Weight of a package. It is important to note that certain types of products will often require protective packaging material. As such, these products will reflect a higher Shipping Weight compared to the unprotected product.
- Product code: NTL-05964
- 11.4 x 5.3 x 5.3 cm , 0.06 kgSwitch to Imperial units
- Advanced Formulation to Promote Better Sleep
- Fall Asleep Faster, Stay Asleep Longer
- 100% Drug-Free
- Dietary Supplement
How Melatonin Works
Natrol® Advanced Sleep Melatonin 10 mg
Possible Side Effects Of Natrol Melatonin Tablets
The bottle I bought doesnt have any potential side effects listed. Their website lists three circumstances in which you should decrease the dosage though:
- If you feel groggy in the morning after a full nights sleep
- If you experience vivid dreams
- If you get headaches
Melatonin is thought to be relatively safe for most people, but the above are three of the most common side effects. Medical sites such as WebMD and Healthline list a few others to be aware of, including:
- Short-term feelings of depression
Don’t Miss: What Causes Breakthrough Bleeding When On Bioidentical Hormones
Puritans Pride Premium Super Strength Melatonin
This melatonin supplement is high powered and minimalist. Each capsule delivers a hefty 10 mg of melatonin per capsule, so if lower doses of melatonin arent working for you, Puritans Pride might be just what it takes.
If you know that high doses of melatonin are what you need when you cant fall asleep, it might be easier to opt for a high dosage supplement like Puritans Pride instead of taking several lower capacity melatonin supplements at once.
Can You Overdose On Melatonin
While melatonin is generally considered safe, it is possible to take too much. There is no official recommended melatonin dosage, and people can have different sensitivities to melatonin, so finding an appropriate dose can be challenging. Moreover, because melatonin is not regulated in the U.S., the actual melatonin content of supplements can vary significantly. Studies have found that some melatonin products can have nearly five times as much melatonin as their label claims, or much less.
The first sign that youve taken too much melatonin is that youll continue feeling its soporific effects the following day. You may feel especially drowsy or groggy. Doses of 10 milligrams or higher can cause side effects like drowsiness and headache. Other symptoms of melatonin overdose include:
- Changes in blood pressure
- Vivid dreams or nightmares
You May Like: Does Nugenix Have An Estrogen Blocker
Is Natrol Melatonin Vegan Most Likely Not
Melatonin is a supplement for better sleep, but is Natrol melatonin vegan?
Its most likely not a vegan product, because it contains stearic acid, which often comes from non-vegan sources. However, its not a given that its not vegan, because it can be derived from vegan sources, but mostly not.
Have a look at the ingredients for yourself if you want to read more about this melatonin supplement and whether its something you should buy. I have tried to contact the company myself, but with no luck.
Thus, the verdict of this review is that its most likely not vegan. Though it could be.
Now Foods Liquid Melatonin
Though Now Foods also makes a standard tablet based melatonin supplement, it also offers a liquid version of the same supplement. Each serving contains 3 mg of melatonin dissolved in water, glycerin, and ethyl alcohol, along with some flavoring and sweetening agents.
For most people, a tablet or capsule will be the best choice. A liquid supplement version of melatonin might be a good call if you dislike or have difficulty swallowing pillsfor just about anybody else, the extra cost, lessened dosage accuracy, and inconvenience arent worth it.
Also Check: Nugenix Estro Regulator Reviews
Judging How Well It Works
The way I judge how well a sleep aid works is admittedly quite subjective. Other than spotting obvious side effects like headaches or grogginess, or having clearly significant changes to my sleep times and pattern, the effects can be subtle and hard to work out if its the sleep aid, a placebo or something else entirely.
So I use a written sleep diary to note how I slept and felt the next day, along with a couple of sleep trackers to back up my manual data.
Is There Anything Else You Should Know About Natrol Melatonin
Natrol Melatonin comes in several versions. The Melatonin gummies are easy to take as they are strawberry flavored.
The fast dissolve product may be most effective with occasional sleeplessness.
The + 5-HTP option may help with common sleep difficulties including a racing mind and problems remaining asleep.
To ensure healthy sleep habits, try:
- Maintaining a healthy diet
Read Also: Does Estrogen Cream Help Lichen Sclerosus
How Melatonin Helps Kids Sleep
Melatonin is naturally produced in the body to guide our sleep-wake cycle. When the sun sets, darkness signals the brain to produce melatonin, telling our body its time to sleep. Melatonin levels stay elevated through the night to help keep us asleep. When the sun comes up, the light signals the brain to stop making melatonin, telling our body that its time to wake up.
Changes in routine, seasonal time changes, and screen-time before bed are some of the many things that can interrupt melatonin production and throw us off cycle. Melatonin supplements can help.
Give your child low-dose, drug-free Natrol Kids Melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime to help them fall asleep and stay sleep. Melatonin is 100% drug-free, non-habit forming and pediatrician recommended.*
Melatonin Supplements With The Fewest Additives
Melatonin may fight insomnia and anxiety. However, many melatonin supplements contain more than just melatonin. For example, silica or silicon dioxide are often added to prevent caking, magnesium stearate or stearic acid for easier manufacturing, hypromellose as an emulsifier or thickener, lecithin as an emulsifier, and povidone as a binder.
I try to avoid these additives because they may have questionable health effects. If you want to do the same, my recommendations for the purest melatonin supplements are:
You May Like: Can Having Your Tubes Tied Cause Early Menopause
What Evidence Is There That Natrol Melatonin Tablets Work
I couldnt find any specific clinical trials for Natrol sleep aids. However, this isnt unusual for over the counter sleep aids in the United States. They arent required to undergo rigorous testing as they are part of the extensive grey area of supplements rather than medications.
So, assuming the ingredients are accurate, its useful to consider the evidence that other melatonin supplements work for insomnia, which was the point of my test.
There has been a lot of research done, and much more will probably be done in the future considering the wide range of possible uses for melatonin supplements that are being explored.
Where sleep is concerned, the bottom line seems to be that melatonin can help some people with certain sleep problems.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health in the United States indicates that there is evidence melatonin can help some people with:
- Jet Lag
- Shift Work Disorder
- Insomnia
On the insomnia front, they mention a 2013 review of 19 studies of people with primary sleep disorders. There was evidence that melatonin helps slightly with:
- Time to fall asleep
- Total sleep time
- Overall sleep quality
And a more recent review of 12 studies in 2017 found evidence that melatonin helps reduce the time taken to fall asleep in primary insomnia and delayed sleep phase syndrome. The study author reported:
These findings highlight the potential importance of melatonin in treating certain first degree sleep disorders.
Natures Bounty Triple Strength Melatonin
Each softgel of Natures Bounty contains 5 mg of melatonin, which is on the higher end of dosages. The softgel formulation does mean there are a few more ingredients than usual. The gel capsule and the liquid it contains are made up of soybean oil, gelatin, glycerin, beeswax, soy lecithin, and titanium dioxide.
This doesnt mean much for most people, but if you cant eat soy, or if you are vegetarian or vegan, youll want to look elsewhere. If you want a medium dose of melatonin and want it to take effect rapidly, Natures Bounty Triple Strength might be the supplement for you.
Read Also: How Long Does Olly Sleep Take To Work
What Is Natrol Melatonin
Natrol Melatonin is a sleep aid for those looking to achieve a better sleep during the night.
This product is available in both gummy and pill form, but this review will be focused on the gummies.
The manufacturer of this product is Natrol, LLC.
They were founded in 1980 and have headquarters in Chatsworth, California.
They are a well-known manufacturer of supplements, vitamins, and minerals.
Natrol Melatonin Ingredients What To Look For
Natrol Melatonin sleep products have a number of active ingredients, such as:
Coconut Oil Has been used for centuries to control blood sugar, improve good cholesterol levels and relieve stress.
A study in Journal of the American College of Nutrition suggests it could be an anti-depressant.
Pectin Is a soluble fiber found in plums, apples and the peels of citrus fruit. It may have a number of health benefits such as lowering cholesterol and sugar levels, according to an article in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Sodium citrate Is a citric acid salt that is used as a flavoring and alkalizing agent, and an anticoagulant. One review in U.S. National Library of Medicine indicates it has alkalinizing factors, therefore it can neutralize excess acid present in the urine and blood.
Organic tapioca syrup A starch extracted from cassava, that is a source of calcium and iron. However, theres not much research to support these claims.
Organic cane sugar May help restore and normalize sleep patterns, reduce stress, and activate the neurological patterns of the brain to induce sleep. However, more research is needed to confirm these claims.
*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Recommended Reading: Does Nugenix Have An Estrogen Blocker