Melatonin is a natural hormone found in the body, and is medicinally used to regulate the body’s internal clock. Melatonin adjusts sleep-wake cycles, making it an effective sleep aid supplement. Melatonin can help people whose daily work schedule changes (shift-work disorder), as well as help blind people establish a day and night cycle. Melatonin is also used to counter effects of delayed sleep phase disorder, insomnia associated with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder or high blood pressure medications called beta-blockers, as well as sleep problems in children with development disorders like autism cerebral palsy.

Melatonin’s central function in the body is as a night and day cycles, or sleep-wake cycle, regulator. When it gets dark our bodies begin to increase melatonin production. This signals to the body that it is time to get ready for sleep. And when it gets light the body decreases melatonin production, signalling the body to prepare for being awake. If melatonin production is not functioning properly, problems getting into a healthy sleep-wake rhythm can occur. Melatonin supplements can help regulate sleep cycles, allowing you to get the restful, deep sleep you need.

Melatonin studies have shown many health benefits when it is taken as a supplement. Melatonin is commonly used for Alzheimer’s disease, ringing in the ears, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraines and other headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoporosis, and as an anti-aging agent. Melatonin may also be beneficial for weight loss, menopause, nerve pain, weakness, and various cancers, as well as to alleviate side effects of cancer treatment (chemotherapy).

Studies have also suggested that melatonin may be useful to improve mood and general wellbeing, strengthen the immune system, and reduce free radicals in the body. Melatonin may also be effective as an antioxidant, immunomodulator in cancer.