More than 27% of adults in the United States take melatonin supplements, and there’s a good chance you’ve seen them on store shelves or know someone who takes them. But exactly how do melatonin gummies work?
One look at our MELO Sleep Gummies is all it takes to learn what melatonin does: it helps you sleep! Yet how it affects the brain and body, how it makes you feel, and whether it’s safe to take require more in-depth explanations.
In this article we dive deep into the effectiveness, safety, usage, and science behind melatonin gummies so you can decide if they’re right for you.
At a glance:
- How Do Melatonin Gummies Work?
- Are Melatonin Gummies Effective?
- Who Should Consider Trying Melatonin Gummies?
- How Long Do Melatonin Gummies Take to Kick In?
- Is It Safe to Take a Melatonin Gummy Every Night?
- Will I Feel Rested After Taking Melatonin to Sleep?
- Improve Your Sleep Habits With Melatonin Gummies
How Do Melatonin Gummies Work?
The brain naturally produces melatonin in response to darkness, so taking melatonin gummies signals the brain that it’s dark outside and time to sleep.
Sometimes our bodies don’t produce the melatonin we need, which makes it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. This generally results from exposure to light when it’s time for bed and is common among travelers with jet lag and shift workers who work at night and sleep during the day. Taking melatonin gummies allows you to manually increase melatonin levels to relax you and prepare you for slumber, even when exposed to light.
It’s important to note that melatonin gummies don’t work like Zzzquil or Tylenol PM. They don’t induce sleep — they simply prepare your body for sleep. Over the counter sleep aids can knock you out, but melatonin gummies just make you feel peaceful and drowsy.
Are Melatonin Gummies Effective?
Dozens of studies indicate that melatonin supplements are effective in promoting sleep onset and helping people sleep better through the night.
But for melatonin gummies to work, you have to take the right amount. Though, the exact amount is up for debate.
Melatonin gummies are considered supplements, so they aren’t highly regulated by the FDA. So, experts have different opinions on how much melatonin is the right amount to take. Some say 1 mg to 5 mg is the proper amount, while others say it’s safe in doses up to 20 mg. As with all supplements, it’s best to start with a low dosage and see how it makes you feel before taking more.
Most of the best melatonin gummies contain between 1.5 mg and 3 mg per chew. Our MELO Sleep Gummies contain 2 mg of melatonin per chew, with a recommended dosage of two gummies per serving. Depending on your age, body weight, current health conditions, and other factors, one may be all you need to put you in a state of rest and prepare your body for a good night’s sleep.
Who Should Consider Trying Melatonin Gummies?
Consider taking melatonin gummies if you have short-term sleep issues or a circadian rhythm disorder that makes it difficult to maintain regular sleep patterns.
Melatonin gummies can benefit a wide range of adults, including those who have had trouble sleeping for one or two nights and those who suffer from more pervasive sleep disorders like chronic insomnia. People often take them to reduce jet lag when traveling, to reset their sleep cycles when their work or personal schedules change, or to fall asleep faster. They can even be helpful in reducing anxiety before and/or after surgical procedures.
Melatonin gummies are generally well-tolerated by most adults, but there are some people who should not take it.
Do not take melatonin for sleep if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, suffering from dementia or depression, or have an autoimmune or seizure disorder. If you currently take medications, consult your physician before adding melatonin gummies to your dietary routine because they may interact negatively with your medications.
People who have chronic insomnia, recurring sleep issues, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, or delayed sleep-wake phase disorder should also consult their physician to see if taking melatonin supplements may be beneficial or if better courses of treatment exist.
You might also want to consider taking melatonin gummies if you’re looking for a way to improve eye health, treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or reduce symptoms of seasonal depression.
High in antioxidants, melatonin may reduce cell damage in the eyes and improve visual clarity. It also has the ability to block the secretion of stomach acids, which can alleviate symptoms associated with GERD. In people with seasonal depression, melatonin can help regulate your circadian rhythm to counter the effects of seasonal light changes.
How Long Do Melatonin Gummies Take to Kick In?
Melatonin gummies come in varying strengths and formulas, and most supplements take between twenty minutes and two hours to kick in.
Melatonin puts your body in a state of readiness for sleep, but it doesn’t work in an instant. However, there are other things you can do to help you fall asleep faster. Because the brain produces melatonin naturally when it’s dark, you may feel the melatonin kick in faster by dimming the lights in your bedroom and turning off light-emitting devices like smartphones and television screens.
Every gummy brand uses different ingredients, and gummies may kick in faster when they include additional ingredients that promote a sense of calm and relaxation. For example, our MELO Sleep Gummies contain natural lemon balm, which helps to calm and soothe the mind and get you in the right headspace for a solid night’s sleep.
The first time you take a dose of melatonin gummies, do so about two hours before bedtime and see how long it takes you to feel the effects. If you choose a brand that kicks in faster than expected, you can adjust the timing of your dosages on subsequent days. Keep in mind that taking larger doses of melatonin won’t do much, if anything, to speed up the rate at which it kicks in.
Is It Safe to Take a Melatonin Gummy Every Night?
According to an article published by Johns Hopkins Medicine, it is safe for most people to take melatonin “nightly for one to two months.”
Johns Hopkins sleep expert Luis F. Buenaver recommends stopping the use of melatonin by the sixty-day mark and assessing your sleep habits and patterns before deciding to take more. He also recommends that you stop using it if you’ve taken it for a week or two and don’t feel that it’s working. Possible side effects may exist, so there’s no point in taking it if it’s not working for you.
Scientific data indicates that there have been few reports of adverse effects associated with long-term melatonin use, but there are some potential side effects that may result from occasional or repeated use.
Before taking melatonin gummies, make yourself aware of the pros and cons of melatonin supplements. Most adults tolerate melatonin well in small doses, but some people experience mild side effects like headache, dizziness, and nausea. In addition, you could experience an allergic reaction if you are allergic to any of the other ingredients in the supplements.
Depending on your existing health conditions, it may not be safe to take melatonin gummies at all. If you take prescription medications, consult your physician before adding gummies to your nightly routine.
Will I Feel Rested After Taking Melatonin to Sleep?
Scientific studies show that melatonin can have lingering effects and cause daytime drowsiness the next day.
Many users say that melatonin gummies help them fall asleep faster and keep them sleeping longer, which can certainly make you feel more rested in the morning. However, some people say that they feel drowsy or sleepy during the day after having taken melatonin gummies the night before.
Melatonin has a half-life of 20-40 minutes and generally lasts in the body from four to eight hours. Most people do not feel drowsy the day after taking it and say that they wake up feeling refreshed, alert, and normal. If you feel drowsy the next day, do not operate a vehicle or use heavy machinery until you feel more alert. You might also want to consider lowering your dosage.
Keep in mind that you can feel even more well-rested by taking melatonin gummies and maintaining good sleep hygiene habits at the same time. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and avoiding daytime naps are but a few sleep hygiene practices that will make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep until it’s time to wake up.
Improve Your Sleep Habits With Melatonin Gummies
Melatonin supplements come in many forms, and while they all have the power to improve your sleep quality, melatonin gummies are the preferred method among many users.
Melatonin gummies are effective and work quickly, and they also taste great. In our MELO Sleep Gummies, we include cherry fruit extract and natural flavors to deliver a burst of fruity flavor with every bite. Whether you suffer from occasional sleep issues, have jet lag symptoms, or regularly have trouble falling asleep, our MELO gummies may be exactly what you need to improve your sleep habits and improve your overall health.
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