Melatonin serves as a sleep aid by assisting in the maintenance or resetting of the circadian rhythm of the brain and body.

Although melatonin is not the primary regulator of normal sleep patterns, it undeniably exerts a significant effect. A topic of considerable interest involves using melatonin alone or in combination with phototherapy to address sleep disorders. There are indications that melatonin levels may be lower in elderly individuals experiencing insomnia compared to age-matched noninsomniacs, and melatonin therapy in such cases appears to offer modest benefits in correcting the issue. Shift workers, facing challenges in adjusting to night shifts and daytime sleep, present another group with sleep disorders. The efficacy of melatonin therapy to alleviate this problem is inconclusive and seems less effective than phototherapy. Across various species, including humans, melatonin administration has been demonstrated to decrease motor activity, induce fatigue, and lower body temperature, particularly at higher doses. The impact on body temperature may play a significant role in melatonin’s ability to entrain sleep-wake cycles, such as in patients with jet lag.

The pineal gland, also known as the epiphysis, produces and releases melatonin, a structurally simple hormone that conveys information about environmental lighting to different parts of the body. Ultimately, melatonin can entrain biological rhythms and has crucial effects on the reproductive function of many animals. Positioned on the midline and attached to the posterior end of the roof of the third ventricle in the brain, the pineal gland resembles a small organ shaped like a pinecone.

Jet lag is another condition associated with circadian-rhythm disruption. In this case, it has been consistently demonstrated that taking melatonin close to the target bedtime of the destination can alleviate symptoms, with melatonin proving most beneficial when jet lag is anticipated to be severe (e.g., crossing multiple time zones). Travellers now have the option of using melatonin to counteract the effects of air travel on achieving a restful night's sleep. Utilizing melatonin during travel aims to align with the normal scheduled hours of the destination for bedtime and sleep.

Ingredient

Other Ingredients

Dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, silicon dioxide, vegetable magnesium stearate, and vegetable stearic acid.

Directions

Adults: Take 1–3 tablets daily, only at or before bedtime, or as directed by your health-care practitioner. For jet lag: Take once a day at bedtime after darkness has fallen, while travelling, and at destination until adaptation to the new daily pattern in occasional short-term use.

Duration of use: Consult a health-care practitioner for use beyond 4 weeks.

Contains no: Gluten, soy, wheat, corn, eggs, dairy, yeast, citrus, preservatives, artificial flavour or colour, starch, or sugar.

Cautions and warnings: Avoid taking with alcohol or products that increase drowsiness. Consult a health-care practitioner prior to use if you are taking medications for seizure, for blood pressure, to suppress the immune system (immunosuppressive medications), to affect mental state or increase sedation, steroids, or blood thinners; or if you have cardiovascular, immune, liver or chronic kidney disease, hormonal or seizure disorders, asthma, depression, diabetes, low blood sugar, or migraine. Consult your health-care practitioner if sleeplessness persists for more than 4 weeks (chronic insomnia).

Contraindications: Do not drive or use machinery for 5 hours after taking melatonin. Do not use if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Known adverse reactions: May cause extended drowsiness. Discontinue use if allergy occurs or if you experience headache, confusion, or nausea.